TITLE: Multifunctional Composite Systems

SPEAKER: Dr. Ben Wang

ABSTRACT:

This talk covers some of Dr. Wang and his colleagues’ recent research and
a path forward. The purpose is to seek collaborations with experts in
statistics, reliability, quality, process control and optimization.
Gen I composites, made with fiberglass and early carbon fibers,
served as metal replacements in secondary, non-load bearing parts.
The Gen I success fostered the development and progressive use of modern
carbon fibers in load bearing structures to replace metals. Gen II
composites, built on intermediate-modulus carbon fibers and
improved matrix resins, brought about a broader use in selected structures.
Advancements in the 1980’s-90’s resulted in innovative uses of composites
in commercial aerospace, auto, marine, space and sporting goods and
expanded military applications. This growth was largely driven to achieve
additional weight saving due to the materials’unparalleled ability
to solve seemingly contradictory requirements, such as reducing weigh
while increasing mechanical properties. The potential of composites is
clear and the trend of continued use of composites is unstoppable.

Treated as metal replacement, total performance improvements at the
system’s level has largely been “linear” over the past 50 years spanning
Gen I and the current Gen II, despite a tremendous body of knowledge in
materials science and impressive engineering developments.
However, if we continue this linear trend and extrapolate into out years,
can composites meet much more stringent requirements for tomorrow’s
lightweight engineered systems characterized by unprecedented requirements
for performance, quality, energy efficiency, reliability, safety,
environmental compatibility and life cycle affordability?

We define Generation III composite systems as ultra-lightweight, energy
efficient, high-performance composite structures where multiple functions
co-exist symbiotically without requiring parasitic components. Such a
paradigm-changing endeavor obviously requires enormous multidisciplinary
teamwork over a long period of time.

The presentation is intended to stimulate a discussion on the following
topics:

1. Can synergistic materials with intrinsic properties be developed,
scaled and integrated to realize effective Gen III multifunctional
structural systems of the highest possible quality, reliability and
performance throughout their life cycles?

2. Can the Gen III multifunctional structural systems exceed the
performance of today’s best composites and if so, by how much?

3. What are the barriers, challenges and possible solutions at the basic
science and enabling technology levels and how can these solutions be
embodied in an integrated engineered system?