Multilayer Thermoplastic Fibres for Composites.

Lead Research Organisation: University of Bristol
Department Name: Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

Nanofibres offer a route to structure composites to provide strength, stiffness and toughening. Many approaches have been developed for this purpose, one of the most popular in research terms being electrospinning. Electrospinning offers an effective and fast method in nanofibre production however, difficulties in production of consistent fibres with uncertain molecular orientation of the chains limits use of this method. This project aims to manufacture and test bi-layer coextruded fibres with different polymers in the core and the sheath and use hot compaction for selective melting of the sheath. The objectives include fabrication of bi-continuous phase composites using single and dual component polymers, assessment of orientation of the polymer fibres post fabrication using diffraction and spectroscopic techniques and mechanical testing of the composites. Ultimately, addition of other functionalities would aid in assessing how the manufactured materials could be used in a tissue engineering construct, particularly growth of bone cells on the materials. This novel approach in use of layered fibres alongside hot compaction is expected to provide biocompatibility for a range of hard/soft tissue applications.

Planned Impact

The chief impacts are twofold:

1. Supply of doctoral level engineers trained to the very highest standards in advanced composites. They will take up positions in industry as well as academia.
2. Development of next generation advanced composite materials and applications for wealth creation in the UK.

Other important impacts are:

3. Enhanced UK reputation as a world leading centre in advanced composites that attracts inward investment and export opportunity.
4. Attracting elite overseas students, enhancing the UK's global reputation for excellence in Advanced Composite materials and their applications and widening the pool of highly skilled labour for UK industry.
5. Engaging with local schools and media, to disseminate, enthuse and raise the profile of Engineering to school children and to the wider public.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description BME in STEM students day 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Aims:

1.) To inspire the next generation of Black students to study within STEM. The event is designed to provide a fun and exciting experience within cutting edge STEM fields that will show them the attainability of a STEM degree.
2.)To show role models and potential mentors to students as a way of seeing themselves reflected in the subjects they are interested in.

What is the anticipated impact of the proposed activity?

From our own surveys within Engineering we know that Black students we know that they can often feel isolated without seeing their identity reflected and represented in their cohort. We have a very low engagement of black students in engineering at Bristol, despite there being a larger population of black students in the city. In City Academy, more than 70% of the students are black, and yet there are very few black teachers with whom they can identify. By 'marrying' up Black mentors within engineering, we hope to provide role models for pupils in City Academy to aspire to coming to do Engineering. In the longer term this can only help to increase applications of Black students to come to Bristol to do Engineering. This will open up a talent pool of students to Bristol University, that without direct and positive intervention would remain otherwise closed. Another impact of this will be on our own students, in empowering them to be agents of change within the University.

How will the impact of the activity be evaluated?

The impact of this activity on the students was evaluated through feedback forms. At the end of every outreach event, students and teachers were asked to fill in the forms. The feedback forms for the students would include questions about the organisation of the event and impact the event had on them as well as whether they learnt about higher education and Engineering opportunities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Black mentors outreach programme 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact The first outreach activity was held in Queens Building on the 11th of June 2019. Twenty-three 12-13-year-old Black students from City Academy and 9 Black mentors attended the event. The event was a huge success with positive feedback from both the students and their teachers. (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2019/june/came-mentorship-event-.html).

The aim was to provide role models for Black pupils in City Academy, to encourage them to consider engineering and to going into Higher Education and ultimately establishing a long-term mentorship relationship. 95% of the students strongly agreed that they learnt more about university and would like to apply to university in the future while only 65% of the students reported to be more likely to apply to University of Bristol in the future. Having more outreach activities would have a long-term impact on the students as seeing Black people who made it in Engineering would give them the motivation and inspiration to go down a similar path
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2019/june/came-mentorship-event-.html