video icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Stephen Hawking in his own words
In this tribute created by the University of Cambridge, Stephen Hawking reflects on "a glorious time to be alive doing research"
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Stephen Hawking: A brief history of his timeline
Time travel might not be possible, but you can join us for a trip through Stephen Hawking's remarkable life.
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Stephen Hawking: The tributes
Famous theoretical physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking had died aged 76. Here, academics from around the world pay tribute to the scientist...
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
What are nerve agents - and what do they do?
It's a question the people of Salisbury weren't expecting to have to ask themselves following a quick trip to a Zizzi on a quiet Sunday. Sergei Skripal's apparent revenge poisoning, though, has brought chemical killers from the battlefield closer to home. Simon Cotton explains how they work.
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Electroplating
A process used to apply a coating, via electrolysis, from an electrically conductive base material to the object to be coated. Often used to silver plate cutlery and other decorative objects.
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Shot blasting
Shot blasting entails the forceful direction of abrasive particles against the surfaces of metal parts to remove contaminants or condition the surface for subsequent finishing.
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Shot peening
Shot peening is a method of cold working in which compressive stresses are induced in the exposed surface layers of metallic objects by controlled impingement of shot.
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Nitrotec process (oxygen enhanced nitriding)
The Nitrotec process consists of nitriding (nitrocarburising) components, before immediately subjecting them to rapid oxidation, then quenching, finishing with the application of a protective sealant. Oxidation gives protection against corrosion, whilst the quenching and sealing give enhanced surface wear resistance and increased yield strength ...
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Ion implantation
Within a vacuum chamber, surfaces to be hardened are bombarded with a high energy stream of ions that penetrate the surface. This is not a diffusion process. Once impregnated into the surface, the ions (usually carbon or nitrogen) lose their energy and stop moving. The compressive stresses generated in the surface layers improve mechanical and ...
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Induction/flame hardening
Induction hardening involves using induced electrical currents to very rapidly generate heat via hysteresis, usually in a workpiece made from medium to high carbon steel. Flame hardening uses oxy-fuel burners to heat the workpiece via conduction. Both procedures use quenching after heating, often followed by tempering and/or stress relieving.
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Carbonitriding / carburising
Carbon or carbon and nitrogen together, in a medium of gas, solid or liquid, are diffused into the surface of component(s), particularly those made from low carbon steels. Changes to the chemical composition of the surface (austenite) lead to high carbon content in the surface material, which when quenched transforms to a hard coating (martensite).
article icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Plasma arc spraying
A stream of high temperature plasma and the powder coating material are carried via an electric arc, to the workpiece to be coated.