(BEIJING, August 1) -- Starting today, workers at the site of the National Aquatics Center, a major Olympic project, will be busy installing the new membrane structure on the exposed wall of the building.

   The process followed two years of technological preparation, including a schematic design, further design through public bidding, procurement by way of international competitive bidding, prototype test, in-depth design, plant construction, physical installation test as well as all-round preparation to kick off installation.

   As a result of international competitive negotiations, Vector Foiltec of Germany and Yuanda Group of Shenyang, China were awarded the contract to undertake the membrane project in January 2005.

   On January 16, 2006, a newly-built plant was put into production of the ETFE cushions, and all cushions needed have already been in place. A physical installation of 500sqm passed the test on the eve of 2006 Chinese Spring Festival and inflated materials were made ready.

   According to Vector Foiltec, ETFE consists of pneumatic cushions restrained in aluminum extrusions and supported by a lightweight structure. The cushions are inflated with low-pressure air to provide insulation and resist wind loads.

   The cushions are manufactured from multiple layers of a modified co-polymer called ethylene-tetra-fluoro-ethylene, or ETFE.

   The National Aquatics Center, dubbed the "Water Cube", comprises over 100,000sqm of ETFE foils, making this the single largest ETFE structure in the world to date.

   The center will host swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming competitions for the 2008 Olympic Games.