LIGHTWEIGHT MANUFACTURING
to withstand extreme conditions, particularly at low-pressures, like those used in aircrafts. While most modern aircrafts are
currently made from aluminium, composite materials such as carbon fi bre are becoming increasingly popular.
Composite materials include some of the most advanced engineering materials today and Matmatch has over 100 composites listed on its site. The addition of high strength fi bres a polymer matrix can greatly improve mechanical properties, such as the tensile strength and temperature resistance. Boeing, for example, has made
greater use of composite materials in the airframe and primary structure of one of its latest developments, the Boeing 787, claiming that the plane off ers weight savings on average of 20% compared to its aluminium designs. In the development of its hyperloop pods, HTT has developed a new type of carbon fi bre composite that is eight times stronger than aluminium and ten times stronger than steel alternatives. The material, named Vibranium (inspired by Marvel’s fi ctional metal),
has been designed to be a skin-type material to protect the hyperloop pods. The pods are constructed with two
layers of Vibranium, one for the exterior and one for the interior of the pod, with an array of 72 sensors sandwiched between the two layers. These sensors can monitor the pod’s stability, temperature and integrity in real time to maximise passenger safety. In all there are 82 panels secured by 75,000 rivets. Assembly takes 5,000 hours. As if selecting the materials for the
hyperloop’s pods wasn’t complex enough, designers will also have to consider the tubes when this new mode of transportation becomes a reality. While the hyperloop certainly off ers
a faster, safer and more effi cient mode of transport, it will be a few years before we will be able to use these underground systems as part of our daily commute. In the meantime, we can expect modern aircraft to become even more advanced, thanks to better materials selection. ●
When going underground is not appropriate, pylons could be used to raise the tubes
To the capsules
Meet Quintero One, HTT’s fi rst real capsule. It’s 32 metres long, weighs 5 tons and was built by A irtifi cial, HTT’s Spanish partner. This picture was taken at last October’s launch event in Puerto de Santa Maria, it’s now in Toulouse undergoing testing.
The timing was signifi cant as it marked the fi fth anniversary of HTT’s forming, prompting co-founder and CEO Dirk Ahlborn to comment, “In just fi ve years we have solved and improved upon all of the technology needed for hyperloop with our new
This is the Chinese version
levitation system, vacuum pumps, batteries and smart composites. This capsule will be a part of one of the most effi cient transportation systems ever made.” Since then the company
has tackled another very real commercial problem, that of insurance. An agreement has been made with Munich Re and TUV SUD to set out regulatory guidelines and the fi rst legal framework for insuring hyperloops.
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