Effects of Corrosion on Copper's Versatility

Use AI as Your Personal Assistant

Ready to embrace a new era of task delegation?

HubSpot’s highly anticipated AI Task Delegation Playbook is your key to supercharging your productivity and saving precious time.

Learn how to integrate AI technology into your processes, allowing you to optimize resource allocation and maximize output with precision and ease.

Download Now!

Greetings to all our readers! This week's Mechanical newsletter explores copper's protective patina, groundbreaking advancements in solar module recyclability, and the latest industry developments. 

From historical marvels to cutting-edge technologies, stay tuned for a comprehensive look at what's driving engineering forward.

🚨Aerospace, from commercial space flight to deep space exploration, our newsletter propels your aerospace career on Friday, click here to subscribe now.

🔥 Today’s hot jobs as featured on jobs.interestingengineering.com

• Senior Network Security Engineer - IT Information Security 4681

• Principal HPC software engineer

Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? Subscribe here

INDUSTRY UPDATES

🚁 Sky drift: Boeing’s pilotless air taxi could take passenger flight by 2030
Wisk Aero CEO says pilotless air taxis can start carrying passengers by the end of this decade. Collaborations are on with U.S. regulators to obtain approvals

🤖 Disney robot conquers unstructured terrain with ease, masters navigation
Disney developed a 3D-printed bipedal robot in under a year, capable of navigating unstructured terrain like ramps and steps 

👚 New fabric stiffens on demand, suitable for drone limbs, medical devices
Researchers at NTU Singapore make unique fabric for robots and medical devices by combining geometric designs, 3D printing, and robotic control

🐝 Six-Armed Robot Stickbug Works as a Precision Pollinator
West Virginia University (WVU) developed a six-armed contact-based precision pollinator robot that uses a Kiwi drive and custom detectors. 

💡 How Silicon Ring Resonators Are Rewriting the Rules of Quantum Computing
Integrating photonics that allow control and manipulation of light on silicon chips for secure communications and enhanced quantum computing 

SPOTLIGHT

Exploring the Protective Role of Patina in Copper Corrosion

Copper, known for properties like ductility and conductivity, also undergoes the natural process of corrosion. While copper does not rust (as it lacks iron), corrosion results in copper oxide and, eventually, copper carbonate, also known as patina. This layer alters the appearance of copper and acts as a protective barrier to prevent further decay.

Corrosion occurs when copper reacts with oxygen in the environment. This reaction can also be accelerated by conditions like high humidity, saltwater exposure, or contact with dissimilar metals. This latter scenario is known as galvanic corrosion. It can be particularly detrimental when copper is in contact with metals like steel, as differences in electrical conductivity speed up the corrosion process.

Controlling copper corrosion is vital in industrial applications, particularly in situations where copper’s high electrical conductivity is essential, like electrical wiring. Methods to mitigate corrosion include applying protective coatings, using corrosion inhibitors, or designing systems that minimize the risk of galvanic corrosion by insulating copper from other metals.

Interestingly, the patina on copper is sometimes artificially accelerated for aesthetic or functional purposes. Techniques involve treating the copper with chemicals to achieve a desired shade or protective quality. This process is common in architectural elements, where copper’s appearance contributes to design aesthetics while providing additional durability.

The Statue of Liberty

An iconic case study of copper corrosion is the Statue of Liberty. The original shiny brown surface of the statue has turned into the famous bluish-green patina over decades. This natural patina symbolizes the statue’s aging and shows copper’s corrosion-resistant properties, which have helped preserve the statue for over a century of harsh environmental conditions.

Copper’s versatility extends into its alloys—bronze and brass exhibit different corrosion behaviors. For instance, the patina on these alloys can range from golden brown to dark brown, depending on the composition. These alloys are made for specific applications that require varying levels of corrosion resistance, such as marine hardware or outdoor sculptures, which benefit from the protective properties of a patina.

While copper corrosion poses challenges, it also contributes to the longevity and functionality of copper products. Understanding copper corrosion is crucial in industries where copper’s properties are indispensable.

MechTech Innovations

Laser Welding Revolutionizes Solar Module Recycling

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is developing a novel technique to improve the recyclability of solar modules by eliminating problematic plastics. Conventional solar panels are laminated with polymers, which makes the recycling process harder due to degradation and difficulty in removal.

Senior scientist at NREL, David Young, led a breakthrough by substituting polymers with a femtosecond laser welding method that joins glass panes directly. This innovative approach uses ultra-fast and precise lasers to weld glass without damaging the encapsulated photovoltaic cells.

The laser's rapid pulse rate confines heat to the weld area, preventing any detrimental effects on surrounding components. As a result, when solar panels reach the end of their life, the glass can be easily shattered and recycled in a relatively simple process.

Femtosecond laser welding strengthens the structural integrity of solar modules and eliminates the need for plastic laminates. This development holds great potential in producing more durable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solar panels. The technique could be applied to various solar materials and is being explored further to test its effectiveness on larger solar modules.

With this innovation, NREL has taken a significant step towards sustainable solar technology.

MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS

💡 The Secret of Nikola Tesla (1980) 
A biographical film highlights Nikola Tesla's life and work and his struggles within the scientific community. It focuses on his many inventions and his interactions with Thomas Edison. 

💣 Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) 
A supercomputer designed to control the United States' nuclear defenses has become sentient, raising intriguing questions about artificial intelligence and the limits of human control.

🦠 Antiviral (2012) 
Set in a future where fans buy infections harvested from sick celebrities, this film explores the obsession with celebrity culture. The protagonist works at a clinic that sells these illnesses. 

💻 Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999) 
It is a biographical drama that explores the rivalry between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates from the early days of personal computing. The film is ideal for engineers interested in the history and development of technology.

💤 Sleep Dealer (2008) 
Sleep Dealer is a sci-fi thriller that imagines a future where technology connects people to robotic machines across borders. The movie includes topics like automation, remote labor, and the ethics of a connected future.