EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites

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1 EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites Underpinning the development of next-generation composites manufacturing processes based on low cost, short cycle times, efficiency and sustainability

2 Wikipedia: Composites are formed by combining materials together to form an overall structure that is better than the sum of the individual components Composite Materials

3 Core Partners Academic Director: Andrew Long, University of Nottingham University of Nottingham (Nick Warrior, Richard Brooks, Peter Schubel) University of Bristol (Kevin Potter, Ivana Partridge, Stephen Hallett) Cranfield University (Andrew Mills, Peter Foote) University of Manchester (Prasad Potluri, Costas Soutis)

4 Overview Co-ordinated multi-institution research base for fundamental understanding of composites manufacturing processes Next-generation composites manufacturing based on low cost, reduced cycle times, efficiency and sustainability Linked to Technology Centres, and supported by major composites producers and end-users 9 universities 35 industrial partners 12 academics 15 researchers 31 PhD students 32 journal papers 66 conference papers 5.9m core grant 12.6m leveraged funding

5 Management Structure Advisory Board Prof Peter Chivers, NCC (Independent Chair) Representatives from industrial partners, EPSRC, TSB Independent national/international scientific experts Centre Director, Centre Deputy Director CIMComp Management Group Centre Director: Prof Andy Long, Nottingham Centre Deputy Director: Prof Kevin Potter Chairs of Committees/ Academic Leads National Outreach Manager: Dr Pete Schubel Members of Advisory Board: Prof Peter Chivers, Warren Hepples Postgraduate Development Committee Prof Ivana Partridge, Bristol Representatives from each of the Partners National Outreach Manager, PDRA Representative Dissemination/Outreach Committee Andrew Mills, Cranfield Partner Representatives National Outreach Manager Representative from NetComposites Ltd Industrial Doctorate Centre (IDC) in Composites Manufacture IDC Director: Prof Ivana Partridge Deputy Director: Prof Kevin Potter/Dr Pete Schubel IDC Manager: Jo Brooks

6 Programme ( ) Platform Element: Retain and support key research capabilities, promote innovation through competitive fellowships, network with the UK industrial and academic communities. Projects: Six collaborative 3-year projects, addressing long term composites manufacturing challenges related to processing science and technology. Outreach: Engage the composites community through: Feasibility Studies, Seminars, Exhibitions, Capability and Technology Roadmapping, Equipment Access, Missions Industrial Doctoral Centre: 70+ industry based Research Engineers on a 4 year EngD programme

7 Platform Capabilities Design & manufacture Anna Chatzimichali Cost modelling David Ayre Multi-scale modelling Louise Brown Robotics & automation Dhaval Jetavat

8 Research Projects Novel approaches to manufacture of complex geometries Structural joints using novel embedded inserts Modelling of defect formation during resin infusion Defect generation mechanisms in variable thickness composites Multi-material, multi-architecture preforms Compression moulding of multiarchitecture composites

9 Innovation Fellowships Fibre architecture optimisation in manufacturing 3D composites Xuesen Zeng Continuous tow shearing for next generation AFP Eric Kim

10 Feasibility Studies Dimensionally stable textile preforms for liquid resin infusion Dmitry Ivanov (Bristol) Intelligent composite lay-up by application of discrete technologies Ash Tiwari (Cranfield) Step change in performance of complex carbon fibre weaves using cellulose fibre precursors Stephen Eichhorn (Exeter) Low-cost manufacture of steered-fibre laminates Phil Harrison (Glasgow) Cure Kinetics modelling for fast curing of tough thermoset polymer composites - Ambrose Taylor (Imperial) Modelling forming of multi-ply preforms - Lee Harper (Nottingham) Recycled carbon fibre co-mingled with polymer fibres in non-woven mats Tom Turner (Nottingham) Multifunctional hierarchical composite structures utilising carbon nanotube webs - Brian Falzon (Queens Belfast) Monitoring of automated composites manufacturing in-situ Keith Worden (Sheffield)

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12 Industrial Doctorate Centre

13 EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites Underpinning the development of next-generation composites manufacturing processes based on low cost, short cycle times, efficiency and sustainability