1. The US Air Force chooses the Integras Composite bulletproof vest

Photo of the Cratus Wave bulletproof plate on Integras Composite. Image source: Integratis Composite

The US Air Force's 582nd Helicopter Squadron has ordered the Cratus Wave bulletproof armor, which was launched a year ago, for the first time.
The company's hard bulletproof sheets are mainly composed of composite materials such as ceramics and high-performance polyethylene, using trauma reduction technology. Cratus Wave holds innovative patents and has been certified by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in the United States.

2. Vertical Space Company's eVTOL prototype crashed during unmanned flight test

Photo of the Vertical Aerospace

On August 9, 2023, Vertical Aerospace conducted an unmanned test flight of its VX4 eVTOL aircraft at Cotswold Airport in London, UK. The report shows that the prototype crashed at an altitude of about 20 feet, with significantly damaged wings, as seen in social media images. The company confirmed that this was a remote control test flight, fortunately there were no casualties.

3. McLaren celebrates the 10th anniversary of the birth of the McLaren P1 hybrid supercar

McLaren (Wokin, UK) celebrates the 10th anniversary of the release of the McLaren P1 production version. This supercar made its debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, marking a milestone for McLaren's progress in the field of high-performance hybrid vehicles, with its latest model, the McLaren Artura, being one of the best.

4. Alef Airlines has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to launch flying cars

Alef Flying Car Certified Image Source: Alef Aeronautics

Alef Aeronautics (San Mateo, California) is a sustainable transportation company that is manufacturing a flying car with a focus on composite materials, a drivable car capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). Alef has recently obtained a special airworthiness certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States.

5. ATLAM combines composite tape laying and large-scale thermoplastic 3D printing technology into one print head
Image source: CEAD, TUM LCC

Photo of the CEAD、TUM LCC

The Technical University of Munich (TUM, Germany) has installed advanced ATLAM printing heads at its Carbon Composite Materials Teaching (LCC) facility (Taufkirchen, Germany). ATLAM combines continuous fiber reinforced composite tape laying with large-area additive manufacturing.
This innovation stems from a collaboration between CEAD (Delft, Netherlands) and GKN Aerospace (Redwich, UK), which operates through its subsidiary GKN Aerospace Germany GmbH (Munich, Germany).

6. Hexagon Purus opens a new factory in the United States to manufacture composite hydrogen cylinders

The production diagram of the Hexagon Purus IV hydrogen storage cylinder in Kassel, Germany.

Image source: Hexagon Purus

The company is headquartered in Hexagon Purus, Oslo, Norway and is promoting zero emission energy storage solutions to address climate change. On January 26, 2022, the company's new manufacturing plant in Westminster, Maryland was inaugurated, marking an important step in this field.
This factory specializes in producing IV type composite gas cylinders for storing compressed gas hydrogen (CGH2). The company's goal is to meet the growing global demand for zero emission transportation and infrastructure systems, in line with the increased commitments made by governments and industries around the world to address the climate crisis.

7. JEC presents the finalist award for the 2023 Innovation Award Finals

The JEC Composite Materials Innovation Award aims to recognize outstanding projects and collaborations in the composite materials industry. Over the past 25 years, more than 1900 companies have participated globally.
With a focus on collaborative innovation, 214 companies and 527 partners were recognized for their outstanding composite material innovation and effective teamwork. The factors considered in the award include partner engagement, project complexity, and business prospects.

8. Archer starts building eVTOL production facilities

Image source: Archer Aviation

Archer Aviation Inc., a specialized electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft company based in San Jose, California, USA, has begun construction of its production facilities. This factory is crucial for producing eVTOL aerial taxis designed specifically for urban transportation.
The completion of this factory marks an important step in Archer's efforts to launch electric aircraft into the market, which will help develop sustainable and efficient transportation solutions for urban transportation.

9. DLR completes the laying of shell skin on MFFD

Image source: DLR Institute of Structure and Design

The Structural and Design Research Institute (DLR) of the German Space Center in Augsburg, Germany, achieved an 8-meter-long carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) fuselage skin through laser heating in situ reinforcement, and welded the chord, frame, and clamp plates.
This achievement marks an important step towards creating innovative composite materials for future aircraft design. The MFFD project aims to explore advanced manufacturing technologies and materials to develop more efficient and lightweight aircraft structures, potentially reducing fuel consumption and emissions in the aviation industry.

10. Ford Mustang Black Horse features Carbon Revolution carbon fiber wheels

2024 Ford Mustang Black Horse Image source: Carbon Revolution

The Mustang Black Horse special edition model of Ford (Detroit, Michigan, USA) is equipped with innovative carbon fiber wheels developed by Carbon Revolution, which combine lightweight structure and strength, enhancing the car's performance and handling. The advantages of these carbon fiber wheels include improved fuel efficiency, flexibility, and reduced unsprung weight, resulting in a better overall driving experience.
This innovation marks a significant step forward in automotive technology, demonstrating the role of integrating advanced materials in improving automotive performance