Professional Documents
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2017-2018
Project Description:
There has always been a focus on developing new and effective aerospace materials to enhance the strength
and stiffness properties and consequently improve the fuel and operating efficiencies of aircraft.
Carbon fibres have a variety of applications in the aircraft industry. However, due to their poor electrical
conductivity, they have been prone to significant lightning damage. As a result, many researchers as well as
aerospace industries have turned to the use of copper and aluminium fibres, which conduct more electricity. This
results in several disadvantages in the component such as the addition of significant weight and increased cost.
Graphene, the much-publicised wonder material, which is a two-dimensional carbon allotrope (Fig. 1), is
continuously finding potential applications, e.g.in electric/photonics circuits, solar cells, and various medical,
chemical and industrial processes.
The aim of this research project is to develop composites made of graphene and carbon fibres as
reinforcements within the lead supervisors research group. The project will involve sophisticated experiments
developed for the aerospace industry. This will allow for the design of high strength based, increased fuel
efficient composites for aerospace applications.
Advanced Composites Research Group