Aerospace Materials and Structures
Out of autoclave (OOA) manufacturing technology for materials
Bespoke multiaxial cruciform test frame
Expertise
The Materials and Structures thematic group is interested in new materials & materials discovery. It has a diverse range of expertise in material modelling, structural dynamics and materials science & characterisation. The interests of the group also span supply chain mapping and management.
- THERMACH - A thermally assisted machining process to addresses the significant manufacturing challenges and products using advanced Metal Matrix Composites and other difficult-to-cut materials.
- PRoGrESS - An Innovate UK collaboration to create Britain’s first wind turbine blade recycling pilot plant.
Specific areas of expertise within Materials & Structures
| Composites |
Advanced Manufacturing |
Material Characterisation |
Modelling |
Structures |
Supply Chain |
| Composite materials manufacturing |
Laser materials processing |
Mechanical experimentation |
FEA (finite element analysis) |
Structural dynamics |
Product traceability systems |
| Materials discovery |
Machining |
Elemental composition |
Error estimation |
Aeroelasticity |
Blockchain technologies |
| Sustainability |
Coatings |
Mechanical testing |
Process modelling |
Stress analysis |
Mapping and management |
| Cementitious materials |
AI (Artificial Intelligence) |
Component testing |
Machine learning |
Corrosion |
Digital transformation |
People
Over 50 academics and researchers work within and across this diverse range of research themes to deliver novel, cross-disciplinary, integrated research projects to both industry and research funders.
Research Facilities
Research facilities to which we can provide access
| Structures Lab - Large scale structural testing, cutting/coring, temp/humidity |
XRD, Raman, thermal spray equipment, steam rig, furnace |
2kW multimode fibre laser; 1kW single mode fibre laser |
| Machine tools and SEM related characterisation equipment |
Mechanical test frames. Denison dead weight creep testing, high temperature |
AMB Composites manufacturing lab, Automated fibre deposition equipment |
Track Record
Our specialist aerospace and space teams at UoN work in partnership with a range of major aerospace companies and SMEs. We also have an extensive track record in securing key UK and EU funding from Horizon Europe (and its predecessor programmes), Innovate UK, ATI, EPSRC and others.
