Unit name | Sustainable Composite Material |
---|---|
Unit code | AENGM0051 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Professor. Steve Eichhorn |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
The unit will cover the following topics:
Introduction to sustainability; definitions of sustainability; thermodynamics of sustainable development; materials supply and planetary resource; exergy and energy; sustainable materials; oil and its continued use; planetary limitations; materials selection; life-cycle analysis (LCA); basic training on software to carry out LCA (SimaPro), environmental product declarations (EPDs), cellulosic materials and natural fibres; resins derived from natural materials; recycled carbon fibres; all-polymer composites; metals vs composites; waste separation; end-of-life use of composites; in-factory recycling processes; current recycling of composites; composites ‘design’ and sustainability.
This unit aims to enable students to be able to recognise the importance of sustainability in the context of composite materials. The course aims to inform students with a basic knowledge of the definition(s) of sustainability and sustainable materials. Students should then to be able to then classify materials that are used in composites in terms of their ‘sustainability’ to help inform them of the choices available in an increasingly environmentally aware world.
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which may include lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.
100% Coursework
Books:
Available in Queen’s Building Library (for up-to-date research in the area):
Research review papers: