Path to aircraft electrification
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Aerospace Engineering
Abstract
The electrification of aircraft requires significant improvements in thermal management, weight reduction, energy storage and electrical distribution. The use of multifunctional composites is essential in these endeavours and provides an effective way to eliminate the mass of components by using existing structural elements to perform the same function. This methodology has the potential to drastically increase the specific performance of the aircraft and its individual systems. Conventional carbon fibre reinforced composites have exceptional mechanical properties, but often exhibit poor electrical, thermal and magnetic properties. By tailoring the combination of fibre, resin system and nano-reinforcement used; these three properties can be fundamentally optimised and significantly improved.
In fibre-reinforced composites, the mechanical and physical properties are highly anisotropic - with superior tensile strength, stiffness, thermal and electrical conductivities occurring in the in-plane fibre direction rather than in the out-of-plane direction. However, the electrical and thermal behaviours of composites are poorly understood, particularly for complex geometries with different stacking sequences. To more fully understand this behaviour, a multi-physics model will be produced to characterise the electrical and thermal conductivity at the micro-scale. Through a series of homogenisations, this will build into a high-fidelity model of macro-scale components. Each scale will be validated with representative samples of composite. The final model will be capable of substituting in a variety of material combinations and ply stacking sequences to accurately determine their electrical and thermal behaviour in a geometrically complex component. The knowledge of a composite's electrical and thermal behaviour is essential to develop the next generation of multifunctional materials. Without this knowledge, efficient design will be difficult and certification near impossible.
The authors wish to acknowledge the support of Rolls-Royce plc through the Composites University Technology Centre (UTC) at the University of Bristol and the EPSRC through the ACCIS Centre for Doctoral Training grant, no. EP/G036772/1.
In fibre-reinforced composites, the mechanical and physical properties are highly anisotropic - with superior tensile strength, stiffness, thermal and electrical conductivities occurring in the in-plane fibre direction rather than in the out-of-plane direction. However, the electrical and thermal behaviours of composites are poorly understood, particularly for complex geometries with different stacking sequences. To more fully understand this behaviour, a multi-physics model will be produced to characterise the electrical and thermal conductivity at the micro-scale. Through a series of homogenisations, this will build into a high-fidelity model of macro-scale components. Each scale will be validated with representative samples of composite. The final model will be capable of substituting in a variety of material combinations and ply stacking sequences to accurately determine their electrical and thermal behaviour in a geometrically complex component. The knowledge of a composite's electrical and thermal behaviour is essential to develop the next generation of multifunctional materials. Without this knowledge, efficient design will be difficult and certification near impossible.
The authors wish to acknowledge the support of Rolls-Royce plc through the Composites University Technology Centre (UTC) at the University of Bristol and the EPSRC through the ACCIS Centre for Doctoral Training grant, no. EP/G036772/1.
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.
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.
