Drilling rivet holes in composite materials has been a challenge for many years. Traditionally, using standard tools has resulted in rapid tool wear and material damage, including integrity, surface quality and delamination.

Automotive and aerospace manufacturers have been at the forefront of the lightweighting trend for some time now. But, they're not the only ones. The railway industry could also benefit from the use of new, lightweight structural materials.

Countries around the world share a common goal of reducing carbon emissions. Finland, for example, aims to reduce its level of emissions by 5 percent (5 million kilograms) each year by investing in green technology for public transportation.

Aerospace engineers around the world have been searching for new ways to make aircraft lighter and more fuel efficient. Aeroelastic wings may be the answer.

Materials are important in every industry. But, they're critical to aerospace manufacturers. If companies select the wrong material for a particular application, it can have catastrophic consequences.

Strong and lightweight, carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) offers numerous benefits to automotive and aerospace manufacturers. Many engineers are intrigued by potential applications for the material, yet remain frustrated by joining challenges.

Several years ago, researchers from QSS Group Inc. and the Ohio Aerospace Institute were interested in finding a commercially available adhesive that bonds titanium pipes to carbon-carbon composite (CCC) sheets. The reason: Doing so would lower the cost of assembling spacecraft heat-rejection systems made of these joined materials.

Titans aren't only located in Tennessee or gifted with god-like powers. Some operate in the real world and perform amazing manufacturing feats.

Engineers at NASA recently earmarked a couple of emerging technologies that may alter the way aircraft are designed and built in the coming decades. If successful, each could lead to planes that are quieter, more energy efficient and produce fewer emissions.

Engineers at Clemson University are tackling the lightweighting challenge by developing new applications for carbon-fiber composites and other nontraditional materials.