Researchers have developed macroscopic organic crystals that emit light when heated, a process referred to as thermochemiluminescence that was previously reported only in solution.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190301084905.htm
Researchers report a unipolar n-type transistor with a world-leading electron mobility performance of up to 7.16 cm2 V-1 s-1. This achievement heralds an exciting future for organic electronics, including the development of innovative flexible displays and wearable technologies.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190301084902.htm
Researchers have created a motion-powered, fireproof sensor that can track the movements of firefighters, steelworkers, miners and others who work in high-risk environments where they cannot always be seen.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190301123237.htm
Chemical processes that are more efficient and less expensive may be coming to industries ranging from battery manufacturing to detergent production thanks to work that advances the use of metal oxides as catalysts.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190301135412.htm
Five south east fit-out contractors have been fined a total of £7m after admitting being involved in cover pricing.
Contractors Fourfront, Loop, Coriolis, ThirdWay and Oakley agreed to pay fines after admitting being involved in cartel behaviour, following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority
Each firm admitted to breaking competition law at least once during the period of 2006 – 2017, in some cases on multiple occasions.
They admitted to participating in “cover bidding” in competitive tenders, agreeing with each other to place bids deliberately intended to lose the contract, thereby reducing the intensity of competition.
These cover bids affected 14 contracts with a variety of customers, ranging from a City law firm to a further education college.
The level of individual fines reflect companies’ size and financial position, and their role in the cartel behaviour.
The investigation was triggered when Jones Lang LaSalle, which acquired Bluu Solutions and Bluuco in 2015, uncovered a dozen instances of concern and brought information to the CMA.
Andrea Coscelli, the CMA’s chief executive, said: “The CMA is concerned it is seeing a lot of evidence of anti-competitive conduct in the construction industry, and we have already taken a number of cases in this sector.
“Today’s fines reinforce the message that the CMA will not tolerate competition law being broken.
“As shown by the total of £7m in fines agreed today, we will not turn a blind eye to illegal behaviour and we will impose penalties where we find laws have been broken. This can include seeking disqualification of company directors.”
Any business found to have infringed the Competition Act 1998 can be fined up to 10% of its annual worldwide group turnover, and directors of the companies concerned can be banned from holding directorships for up to 15 years.
Laing O’Rourke has finally signed a contract with the University of Oxford for phase two expansion of its acclaimed biochemistry building.
The first phase was successfully delivered by Laing O’Rourke in 2008 and this phase will be the latest project in what will be a near 20-year continuous collaboration with the University of Oxford.
A key success factor in delivering the project will be to significantly de-risk the construction process within a live and very busy science, teaching and research site.
This will be achieved by using Design for Manufacture and Assembly for the concrete structures, alongside the extensive use of MEP vertical risers and horizontal distribution service modules and plant rooms.
The university has stuck with Hawkins Brown as architect but switched M&E design to Hoare Lea and structures design to Pell Frischmann this time.
Laing O’Rourke will deliver the same envelope design as phase one with the challenge of matching existing finishes.
The internal plan layout of phase 2 has changed substantially from phase 1 with wet labs now located in the core of the building and write-up and teaching rooms now located around the perimeter.
Liam Cummins, head of UK Building, said: “The project is in total alignment with our 2025 mission to be the recognised leader of innovation and excellence in the construction industry and we look forward to bringing our sector expertise to work once again with The University of Oxford.”
The project is due to be completed by December 2020.
Contractor Alun Griffiths has got the go-ahead to start the fourth and final phase of the A4440 Worcester Southern Link Road.
Today roads minister Jesse Norman approved almost £55m of government funding to support to scheme, which will halve peak journey times along the A4440 and pave the way for up to 5,600 new homes.
Alun Griffiths has been working on Phase 4 under an early contractor involvement contract.
The project will see the existing A4440 between Ketch and Powick roundabouts dualled, including Carrington Bridge over the Severn, a notorious bottleneck.
Full four phases of the A4440 Worcester Southern Link Road
A new bridge will be constructed with a 1.5 metre gap from the existing bridge which would continue to be used for traffic in both directions until its counterpart was complete.
The proposed 200m long bridge will have just three spans rather than six built before to minimise construction works within the floodplain and adjacent to the River Severn.
The three-span arrangement requires a more substantial superstructure to achieve the longer spans but also reduces construction time by seven weeks.
A new steel single span cycle and pedestrian bridge is planned over Hams Way (A4440) to the west of Powick roundabout. To achieve the required 5.7m clearance above the A4440, 125m long approach ramps are being proposed at both ends.
Main construction works on the design and build contract are expected to start in March 2019 and take two years to complete.
Councillor Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council, said: “This is great news for Worcestershire! We welcome this announcement of funding approval which paves the way for the final phase of the scheme to fully dual the Southern Link Road from the M5 to the Powick Roundabout.”
