Pilkington Glass Research Articles

‘Vacant Geelong’ and its lingering industrial architecture

Once a prosperous manufacturing town, Geelong in Victoria, Australia is undergoing a process of deindustrialisation and, in turn, redefining its identity to better retain viability in a globalised world. For instance, the town bid to host a Guggenheim museum on its Eastern Beach shore at the turn of the millennium, and has recently become a UNESCO City of Design (2017). Like so many declining regional industrial towns, Geelong has been undercut by the new economic forces, and has sought a new identity in cultural economies. The ‘Vacant Geelong’ project, which began at Deakin University in 2015 and is ongoing, evolved as a response to vacant industrial architecture in Geelong. Major industries including Ford (vehicles), Alcoa (aluminium), timber sawmills, wool mills, Pilkington Glass, cement works, and the oil refinery once defined the town and its history as an industrial architectural landscape.1 Major industries transformed the architectural and cultural terrain. Despite these cycles of transformation and erasure, and counter to a progressive and chronological approach to change, the ‘Vacant Geelong’ project explored this vacancy of industrial operation, yet presence of industrial architecture. Through inscriptions – artworks, design projects, creative research, installations, texts – it addressed those material realities that did not leave, the industrial structures – silos, ducts, chimneys, warehouses – that give Geelong its continuing industrial architectural character.

Photocatalytic Activity of Nanostructured Titania Films Obtained by Electrochemical, Chemical, and Thermal Oxidation of Ti6Al4V Alloy—Comparative Analysis

Three different Ti6Al4V surface oxidation methods have been applied to obtain three types of titania materials of different nanoarchitecture. Electrochemical oxidation of titanium alloy allowed for obtaining titania nanotubes (TNT), chemical oxidation led to obtain titania nanofibers (TNF), and thermal oxidation gave titania nanowires (TNW). My earlier investigations of these nanomaterials were focused mainly on the estimation of their bioactivity and potential application in modern implantology. In this article, the comparative analysis of the photocatalytic activity of produced systems, as well as the impact of their structure and morphology on this activity, are discussed. The activity of studied nanomaterials was estimated basis of UV-induced degradation of methylene blue and also acetone, and it was determined quantitatively according to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood reaction mechanism. The obtained results were compared to the activity of Pilkington Glass ActivTM (reference sample). Among analyzed systems, titania nanofibers obtained at 140 and 120 °C, possessing anatase and anatase/amorphous structure, as well as titania nanowires obtained at 475 and 500 °C, possessing anatase and anatase/rutile structure, were better photocatalyst than the reference sample. Completely amorphous titania nanotubes, turned out to be an interesting alternative for photocatalytic materials in the form of thin films, however, their photocatalytic activity is lower than for Pilkington Glass ActivTM.

Oxygen incorporation into CdS/CdTe thin film solar cells

CdS/CdTe thin films with 2.1 $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ thickness were grown using R.F. magnetron sputtering in two different mixtures of Ar and $$\hbox {O}_{2}$$ . The substrate was a commercially available Pilkington glass with TCO deposited. The concentration of $$\hbox {O}_{2}$$ was selected to be 0, 1 and 5 %. The crystallographic, morphological, optical and electrical properties of the as-deposited samples were compared with the ones treated with $$\hbox {CdCl}_{2}$$ and subsequently annealed at high temperature. The films morphology and crystallinity were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction shows a transition of zinc blend cubic phase to hexagonal as the oxygen content increases from 0 to 5 %. The measurements show the larger band gap and grain sizes for the films with higher oxygen content. The band gap and transmission rate of the O $$_2$$ -free and oxygenated devices is different and the grains size is greatly affected by the oxygen content.

Sol–gel synthesis of ZnO–SiO2 thin films: impact of ZnO contents on its photonic efficiency

Highly crystalline ZnO–SiO2 films obtained by a sol–gel method at different ZnO contents were deposited on silicon substrate (P(100)) using spin coating process. The XRD results revealed that the strong ZnO(100) peak is grown with highly c-axis oriented film and the crystallinity is progressively improved with increasing ZnO contents. SEM micrographs of the films deposited on silicon substrate show a homogeneous and uniformity structure at different ZnO content. The prepared ZnO–SiO2 films are compared with either a film prepared from a commercial photocatalysts Hombikat UV-100 or Pilkington Glass Activ™ by the determination of their photonic efficiencies for degradation of methylene blue. The photocatalytic efficiency of the 10 wt% ZnO–SiO2 film was found to be about four times higher than film prepared from UV-100 or Pilkington Glass Activ™. The photocatalytic efficiencies of ZnO–SiO2 films are increased with increasing ZnO content from 1 wt% to 10 wt% ZnO and then decreased at 15 wt% ZnO. The order of photocatalytic efficiencies of ZnO–SiO2 films at different ZnO content and commercial photocatalysts after 6 h illumination were as following: 10 wt% ZnO > 15 wt% ZnO > 1 wt% ZnO > as-prepared 10 wt% ZnO–SiO2 film > UV-100 > Pilkington Glass Activ™, which suggested that the ZnO–SiO2 films are photoactive than commercial photocatalysts. The improved efficiency and potentially the low-cost synthesis suggest that this material might be practically useful as a photocatalyst film.

Pt colloidal accommodated into mesoporous TiO2 films for photooxidation of acetaldehyde in gas phase

Colloidal platinum nanoparticles were introduced into the mesoporous TiO2 multi-layers deposited on soda-lime glass. The synthesized photocatalysts colloidal Pt loaded-TiO2 films were evaluated for their photocatalytic activity for acetaldehyde oxidation in gas phase and compared with the commercial Pilkington Glass ActivTM. Isotherms of adsorption of Kr on all the films are of type IV characterized by a broad hysteresis loop, which proves the presence of mesopores within the films. The thickness of the first-layer TiO2 film was measured ∼225nm which increased to 1120nm at five-layers TiO2. XPS measurements showed very small shoulder Pt 4f7/2 and 4f5/2 binding energy are 71.85 and 74.12eV and 4d5/2 binding energy at 315.4 and 331.64eV, which suggests that the Pt is in a metallic state. TEM and SEM images show that TiO2 films are random worm-like network and Both, the HRTEM image and the selective area electron diffraction show well resolved (101) lattice fringes (distance: 0.352nm) indicative of a crystalline TiO2 anatase framework. The particle size of these TiO2 nanocrystals are 8±2nm. It was found that the worm-like network TiO2 is more photoactive than either nonporous TiO2 or Pilkington Glass ActivTM and its photonic efficiency is higher 3 and 6 times respectively. Also, addition of colloidal Pt enhanced the photonic efficiency of mesoporous TiO2 by ∼two times for all different TiO2 layers. The 3-D cubic mesoporous TiO2 is stable and can be recycled without loss of the photochemical activity up to five-times.

Facile synthesis of mesoporous Ag-loaded TiO 2 thin film and its photocatalytic properties

Ag nanoparticles highly dispersed into TiO 2 thin films are synthesized via a remarkably simple one-pot route in the presence of a P123 triblock copolymer as template directing and reducing agents, where the reduction of Ag + to Ag 0 by in situ heat-induced reduction through the oxidation of template at 400 °C and the controlled polymerization of TiO 2 take place simultaneously. The obtained mesoporous Ag/TiO 2 films deposited on soda-lime glass were optically transparent and crack-free. SEM and Kr adsorption clearly prove that Ag/TiO 2 films at different Ag contents are mesoporous with large surface area and regularly ordered mesopores and the thickness of the obtained films is ∼280 ± 20 nm. The pristine TiO 2 film exhibits a specific surface area of 63 cm 2/cm 2 and specific pore volume of 0.013 mm 3/cm 2 that it is decreased to 42 cm 2/cm 2 and 0.010 mm 3/cm 2 respectively as a result of Ag-loaded mesoporous TiO 2. The newly prepared photocatalysts Ag/TiO 2 films were evaluated for their photocatalytic degradation of 2-chlorophenol as a model reaction. It was found that the meso-ordered Ag/TiO 2 films are more photoactive 8 times than nonporous commercial photocatalysts Pilkington Glass Activ™. The recycling tests indicated that Ag/TiO 2 films was quite stable during that liquid–solid heterogeneous photocatalysis since no significant decrease in activity was observed even after being used repetitively for 10 times, showing a good potential in practical application. In general, the cubic mesoporous Ag/TiO 2 nanocomposites are stable and can be recycled without loss of their photochemical activity.

Highly Active Crystalline Mesoporous TiO2 Films Coated onto Polycarbonate Substrates for Self-Cleaning Applications

SiO2 film precoating is found to be very effective for the protection of polycarbonate (PC) as a typical example for heat-sensitive substrate materials, thus preventing its photodegradation under UV light. Subsequently, transparent photoactive mesoporous TiO2 and Sachtleben Hombikat UV100 thin film coatings on SiO2/PC have been developed for self-cleaning applications. The newly prepared photocatalysts films have been compared with either a film prepared from a commercial photocatalyst (Sachtleben Hombikat UV-100), SG-TiO2, or Pilkington Glass ActivTM by the determination of their photonic efficiencies for degradation of methylene blue and the photoinduced surface wettability. The efficiency of the photocatalytic reactions was found to be about three times higher in the case of the mesoporous TiO2 films compared with films prepared from UV-100 or Pilkington Glass ActivTM. This is the first report focusing on the synthesis of mesoporous TiO2 films on polycarbonate substrates, and, to the best of our knowledge, the measured photonic efficiency of ζ = 0.078% for these meso-TiO2 films on PC is among the highest ζ-values reported up to now even when using soda-lime glass substrates.

Characterisation of the photocatalyst Pilkington Activ™: a reference film photocatalyst?

Pilkington Glass Activ™ represents a possible suitable successor to P25 TiO 2, especially as a benchmark photocatalyst film for comparing other photocatalyst or PSH self-cleaning films. Activ™ is a glass product with a clear, colourless, effectively invisible, photocatalytic coating of titania that also exhibits PSH. Although not as active as a film of P25 TiO 2, Activ™ vastly superior mechanical stability, very reproducible activity and widespread commercial availability makes it highly attractive as a reference photocatalytic film. The photocatalytic and photo-induced superhydrophilitic (PSH) properties of Activ™ are studied in some detail and the results reported. Thus, the kinetics of stearic acid destruction (a 10 4 electron process) are zero order over the stearic acid range 4–129 monolayers and exhibit formal quantum efficiencies (FQE) of 0.7×10 −5 and 10.2×10 −5 molecules per photon when irradiated with light of 365±20 and 254 nm, respectively; the latter appears also to be the quantum yield for Activ™ at 254 nm. The kinetics of stearic acid destruction exhibit Langmuir–Hinshelwood-like saturation type kinetics as a function of oxygen partial pressure, with no destruction occurring in the absence of oxygen and the rate of destruction appearing the same in air and oxygen atmospheres. Further kinetic work revealed a Langmuir adsorption type constant for oxygen of 0.45±0.16 kPa −1 and an activation energy of 19±1 kJ mol −1. A study of the PSH properties of Activ™ reveals a high water contact angle (67°) before ultra-bandgap irradiation reduced to 0° after prolonged irradiation. The kinetics of PSH are similar to those reported by others for sol–gel films using a low level of UV light. The kinetics of contact angle recovery in the dark appear monophasic and different to the biphasic kinetics reported recently by others for sol–gel films [J. Phys. Chem. B 107 (2003) 1028]. Overall, Activ™ appears a very suitable reference material for semiconductor film photocatalysis.

Supervisors shine at Pilkington Glass

A training programme for supervisors at the float‐glass manufacturing subsidiary of UK glassmaker Pilkington boosted supervisors’ skills, increased quality and cut costs. Savings resulting from just one of the programme’s 44 projects have more than paid for the programme as a whole. Total savings from all the projects outstripped the costs of the training programme many times over. Explores the programme in detail.

5569312 Method for reducing nox emissions from a regenerative glass furnace : Quirk Richard; Bird David A; Shulver Ian N; McIntosh Robin Aughton, United Kingdom assigned to Pilkington Glass Limited

5569312 Method for reducing nox emissions from a regenerative glass furnace : Quirk Richard; Bird David A; Shulver Ian N; McIntosh Robin Aughton, United Kingdom assigned to Pilkington Glass Limited

Supervisory training that has turned a profit

As a manufacturer of float glass in an international market, Pilkington Glass Limited begins a multi‐faceted approach to improving its quality and reducing its costs to cope with increasing competition. Explains how, with cost cutting, there inevitably came downsizing and a need for increased skill training of its workforce. A supervisory training programme was designed and implemented to increase supervisors’ skills in specific manufacturing‐related areas that support the main goals of increasing quality and cutting costs. Through a small‐group action‐learning design, supervisors completed projects which produced bottom‐line contributions to the organization which more than paid for the programme itself. Maintains that other evaluative indicators were equally positive, such as trainee responses to the training, the achievement of NVQs leading to pay‐grade increases and the acceptance of the approach by top management.

Pilkington Glass in South Africa 1882–1992

The Pilkington records at St Helens in north-west England contain a great deal about glass importation, processing and manufacture in South Africa between the 1880s, when J.R. and R.H. Pritchard, general commission agents at Cape Town, began to act for them, until March 1992 when they sold their 48 per cent interest in Glass South Africa (Pty) Ltd to Plate Glass and Shatterprufe Industries. Throughout most of this time the English company, which made plate and sheet (window) glass, but never bottles.

Promoting innovation Innovate or die

AbstractThe concept of innovation is analysed and misconceptions are condemned. The Rolls-Royce engine RB211 and the Pilkington glass float process are cited as profitable examples of British innovations. Intellectual property is considered as a tradable commodity in the form of patents which can be bought and sold. The need to communicate with the City of London is discussed together with the international context within which innovation operates. It is concluded that essentially innovation must be internally driven.

Thermal performance assessment of an advanced glazing system

The four different techniques which were used to test an advanced, four-pane glazing system and standard double-glazed unit are described. The results from each test are compared. Where agreement is not good, explanations are suggested. The advanced glazing system was found to have a U-value of 0.9 W/m 2 K and a shading coefficient of 0.48. The glazing simulation models WINDOW (Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, Berkeley, CA, U.S.) and MULTB (Pilkington Glass, U.K.) were used to predict glazing performance. Simulation of the two glazing systems which were experimentally assessed allows comparison between models, and between predicted and measured performance. Agreement was within the error bands associated with each assessment.

MANAGING CAREERS AT PILKINGTON GLASS

Pilkington Glass Ltd (PGL) operates in a rapidly changing world, and depends entirely on its managers to run and control its businesses. As part of a company strategy to improve profitability and develop management performance PGL examined how managerial skills were being acquired; decided what training and development activities the company should provide; analysed succession planning through to senior management; and asked the question, who is managing the managers′ careers? The article summarises their discussions and outlines their current programme of management development.

Training for starting a new business

Since starting work at the age of 17 as a laboratory assistant for Pilkington's Glass, it had been Valerie Craine's ambition to run her own business. Even when she had her first child ten years later, she did not think of herself as a housewife in the long term. In spare moments and while the children were at school, Valerie worked on a project in which she had a strong interest. She and her husband Ken—full‐time technical manager—felt that there was a need for a protective coating material suitable for glass containers used in industry, laboratories and hospitals for storing acids and chemicals. They finally developed a technique for spraying glass with a tough transparent plastic material. Sprayed on to a glass container, it forms a coating which remains intact even if the glass shatters. An enthusiastic response to Valerie's informal market research convinced her that their amateur project could become a profit making concern. But Valerie lacked commercial expertise and was also unsure whether she could adjust to a full‐time commitment outside the family. The New Enterprise Programme which she attended in Manchester in June last year helped her to develop the necessary professional approach and reassured her that she could cope with running a home and a business. Towards the end of the course, Valerie and Ken were sufficiently confident to apply for a second mortgage on their house to finance the business. ‘Through the advice I received on the course, I was able to present professionally laid out cash flow forecasts which impressed our bank manager and tipped the balance in our favour’ said Valerie. Valerie and two family friends who have come in as her partners are now coating 1,000 glass containers a day, based in small factory premises on a new industrial estate in Bournemouth. They already employ six part time staff. They have now also established that the coating can be applied to a range of glass products including fluorescent lighting. Costs are already being covered and expansion in the very near future seems assured.

The Pilkington Glass Museum, St. Helens (United Kingdom)

"The Pilkington Glass Museum, St. Helens (United Kingdom)." Museum International, 20(3), pp. 220–221