2 October 2012
Dr Richard Trask1, Dr Wuge Briscoe2 and Prof Bruce Drinkwater3
Department of Aerospace Engineering1, School of Chemistry2 and Department of Mechanical Engineering3, University of Bristol
A feasibility study seeking to exploit the mechanisms found in naturally occurring fibrous composite materials by combining diverse technologies such as ultrasonic manipulation, self-assembly with an adaptation of additive layer manufacturing has just been awarded to ACCIS by DSTL. The goal of the joint engineering and chemistry research team will be the development of biologically inspired novel architecture, high performance fibre reinforced polymer composite material, incorporating hierarchical mutually off-set, but highly aligned fibre reinforcement with integration and directional control across nano, micro and meso length scales. Such an approach offers the potential for ‘building’ multifunctional composite materials employing different fibre architecture types and length-scales, layer-by-layer, using reinforcements length scales and geometrical arrangements typically found in Nature but not currently exploited in engineering.
For further information please contact Dr Richard Trask on 0117 331 5845 or R.S.Trask@bristol.ac.uk
