Credit: DLR (CC-BY 3.0)..
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Carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) – one of the most advanced materials of our age – is stronger than steel and lighter than aluminium, and is therefore ideal for lightweight construction. Lightweight aircraft save fuel, and thus costs. The production of the high-performance material CFRP remains comparatively costly and elaborate. Nevertheless, the use of CFRP is becoming increasingly widespread for automobile construction and in the manufacture of rotor blades for wind turbines. The future is likely to see a further reduction in the weight of CFRP structures. Ongoing research into the behaviour of the material when subjected to damage and environmental influences and the integration of additional features will provide answers to currently unresolved questions.
A leading facility in the field of lightweight composite fibre design, the Institute of Composite Structures and Adaptive Systems has, for many years now, engaged in research into more efficient manufacturing methods for CFRP structures, and improved analysis and design methods. The Institute’s additional focus on adaptive systems enables technical and economical upgrading of the CFRP components through the integration of additional capabilities in the composite. Therefore, CFRP structures that use materials and technologies developed as adaptive systems are able to change their shape, actively reduce vibrations, or dampen the noise emission of structures vibrating in space. Home to six departments, the Institute is oriented along the entire supply chain for the manufacture of flexible, efficiently manufactured and tolerant lightweight structures. With its wide range of services and visionary scientists, the Institute is a trusted partner of industry, academic institutions, the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; DFG), research institutions, ministries and regulatory authorities.
The expertise of the Institute of Composite Structures and Adaptive Systems is orientated elong the entire process chain of making adaptable, tolerant, efficient manufactured, lightweight structures.
"From materials to intelligent composites"
"From the phenomenon via modeling to simulation"
"From requirements via concepts to multi-functional structures"
"From the idea to the prototype and beyond"
"From functional composites to the adaptive systems"
"For a sustainable production"