Many thanks for all the intelligent ideas! It's always nice to talk to people who are passionate about their polymers :-)

Unfortunately, on a visit to a branch of the company yesterday, they told the team that they were already developing the 'paddle shaft' idea, so they want us to work on something else. They had a list of our initial ideas, so somebody could have thought to tell me *before* I did all that work. (Oh, well, it was fun.)

We got our own back, anyway, since one team member did her own special brand of 'fatigue testing' and managed to break a piece of supposedly unbreakable plastic... I'm getting to work on the 'Ski poles' idea next (thank's Luke)...maybe also hang-glider frames and bows (as in archery...bet they won't have thought of that!)

Thanks again for all the help,

Stephanie