Shape adaptive structures with built-in compact smart material based actuators. Primary Australian aerospace manufacturers are sub-contractors and constantly compete in the global market. Their products are primarily control surfaces, e.g., Boeing 757 and 777 rudders, 737 Krueger flaps. In light of the development of the hingeless control surfaces (HCS) in the smart aircraft wing program in the USA, the economic benefits of this project are very high because (a) it will address the key technolo ....Shape adaptive structures with built-in compact smart material based actuators. Primary Australian aerospace manufacturers are sub-contractors and constantly compete in the global market. Their products are primarily control surfaces, e.g., Boeing 757 and 777 rudders, 737 Krueger flaps. In light of the development of the hingeless control surfaces (HCS) in the smart aircraft wing program in the USA, the economic benefits of this project are very high because (a) it will address the key technological issue identified in the HCS program; and (b) it will enhance Australian manufacturers¡¯ technological standing and input in the design and manufacturing of next generation HCS by providing highly trained people with world-leading niche technology.Read moreRead less
Active shape control of large thin-walled structures using ferroelectric single crystals. Ferroelectric single crystals were invented 5 years ago, and they possess many superior properties compared to conventional piezoelectric materials, particularly the induced strain up to 1.5%, an order higher than conventional materials. This project aims to poineer the application of these new and powerful smart materials as actuators and sensors to shape control of smart structures. The expected outcome ....Active shape control of large thin-walled structures using ferroelectric single crystals. Ferroelectric single crystals were invented 5 years ago, and they possess many superior properties compared to conventional piezoelectric materials, particularly the induced strain up to 1.5%, an order higher than conventional materials. This project aims to poineer the application of these new and powerful smart materials as actuators and sensors to shape control of smart structures. The expected outcomes are (a) a new constitutive theory for the non-linear behaviour of ferroelectric single crystals; (b) a novel definition and formulation for the shape control problem; and (c) an innovative theoretical framework for design optimization of shape control of smart structures using ferroelectric single crystals.Read moreRead less
Morphing flexible structures with lead lanthanum zirconium titanate (PLZT) based optical actuators. Lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) materials yield mechanical strains when exposed to near ultraviolet light as a result of combined photovoltaic and converse piezoelectric effects. They offer actuation strain on par with piezoelectric materials and other advantages, such as wireless light-to-mechanical energy transfer, immunity from electrical and magnetic disturbances and fast response wi ....Morphing flexible structures with lead lanthanum zirconium titanate (PLZT) based optical actuators. Lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) materials yield mechanical strains when exposed to near ultraviolet light as a result of combined photovoltaic and converse piezoelectric effects. They offer actuation strain on par with piezoelectric materials and other advantages, such as wireless light-to-mechanical energy transfer, immunity from electrical and magnetic disturbances and fast response with the transparent electrode design. This project aims to pioneer the application of PLZT optical actuators in morphing flexible structures leading to development of wireless smart structures technology and opt-electromechanical systems such as medical instruments.Read moreRead less
Controlled vibration of intelligent super-lightweight structure systems. This project aims to poineer research on dynamic shape control of intelligent structure systems, in which the rapid shape variation of a structure is controlled with fast varying electric energy. It bridges the gap between structural shape and vibration control. The expected outcomes are (a) novel concepts and formulation of dynamic shape control; (b) biologically inspired active stiffener system; and (c) an innovative th ....Controlled vibration of intelligent super-lightweight structure systems. This project aims to poineer research on dynamic shape control of intelligent structure systems, in which the rapid shape variation of a structure is controlled with fast varying electric energy. It bridges the gap between structural shape and vibration control. The expected outcomes are (a) novel concepts and formulation of dynamic shape control; (b) biologically inspired active stiffener system; and (c) an innovative theoretical framework for design optimization of dynamic shape control of intelligent structure systems.
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Active and Passive Techniques of Shock Wave/Boundary Layer Interaction Control. The shock wave/ boundary layer interaction (SBLI) is a formidable problem in high-speed aerodynamics. We investigate a novel method, using piezoelectric flap actuators to control the interaction. The aim is to participate in an experimental programme on SBLI control using longitudinal slots at The University of Cambridge's Engineering Department, a leading international institution for SBLI control. Their longitudina ....Active and Passive Techniques of Shock Wave/Boundary Layer Interaction Control. The shock wave/ boundary layer interaction (SBLI) is a formidable problem in high-speed aerodynamics. We investigate a novel method, using piezoelectric flap actuators to control the interaction. The aim is to participate in an experimental programme on SBLI control using longitudinal slots at The University of Cambridge's Engineering Department, a leading international institution for SBLI control. Their longitudinal slot control is very similar to unimorph control so that this research can be used to improve the understanding of unimorph control. Furthermore, their CFD program can validate our past work and allow theoretical optimisation to create a smart flap system.Read moreRead less
On-line structural integrity assessment of advanced composite airframe with senor network. The project addresses frontier technologies that lead to solutions to one of the critical key issues forming the Australian community - online integrity/safety assessment of structures or asset including aircraft, ships, buildings and bridges. The community benefits significantly if potential disaster due to occurrence of damage associated with those structures can be prevented - the ultimate aim of resear ....On-line structural integrity assessment of advanced composite airframe with senor network. The project addresses frontier technologies that lead to solutions to one of the critical key issues forming the Australian community - online integrity/safety assessment of structures or asset including aircraft, ships, buildings and bridges. The community benefits significantly if potential disaster due to occurrence of damage associated with those structures can be prevented - the ultimate aim of researchers for decades. It is imperative that Australian industries remain technologically ahead of international competitors. Outcomes of the project will lead to novel technologies for real-time structural health monitoring and integrity assessment, bringing significant improvement in operation safety and driving down maintenance cost.Read moreRead less
A Multi-Scale Approach To Reliability And Durability Of Engineering Structures And Sensors. The Longford explosion is an example where a major failure was due to a very small defect. It is estimated to have cost Australia in excess of $1.5 Billion. The acquisition costs of aircraft mean that keeping a fleet operational for a year can produce savings of ~$100,000,000.The automotive industry is designing lighter vehicles. GM Australia has realised that ensuring the durability of these new designs ....A Multi-Scale Approach To Reliability And Durability Of Engineering Structures And Sensors. The Longford explosion is an example where a major failure was due to a very small defect. It is estimated to have cost Australia in excess of $1.5 Billion. The acquisition costs of aircraft mean that keeping a fleet operational for a year can produce savings of ~$100,000,000.The automotive industry is designing lighter vehicles. GM Australia has realised that ensuring the durability of these new designs is essential. By our participation in the GM PACE program we ensure that the developments are available to the broader Australian Industry. Indeed, to design durable MEM's structures would give Australia a commercial edge.Read moreRead less
Improving the process modelling capability for manufacturing large composite structures used on passenger aircraft. This proposal aims to reduce manufacturing costs by developing innovative simulation tools for the production of future lightweight composite aerostructures.The development of a reliable predictive tool to simulate the cost-effective production of resin-infused composite aerostructures, will represent a significant technical advance. The successful transfer of this technology to Bo ....Improving the process modelling capability for manufacturing large composite structures used on passenger aircraft. This proposal aims to reduce manufacturing costs by developing innovative simulation tools for the production of future lightweight composite aerostructures.The development of a reliable predictive tool to simulate the cost-effective production of resin-infused composite aerostructures, will represent a significant technical advance. The successful transfer of this technology to Boeing Aerostructures Australia would give it a distinct competitive edge when bidding for participation in future international development programmes and will yield substantial economic benefits whilst further strengthening and developing local expertise. Lightweight aircraft structures will also contribute towards reducing the environmental impact of aviation. Read moreRead less
Thermoforming Mechanisms for Cost-effective Manufacturing of Advanced Composite Structures. The cost barrier in thermoforming, due to the lack of understanding of shear deformation and wrinkling, has inhibited the large-scale application of fibre-reinforced composite structures in aerospace and automobile industries. This project aims to develop a cost-effective diaphragm thermoforming process through an in-depth understanding of the thermoforming mechanisms. The outcomes will include novel theo ....Thermoforming Mechanisms for Cost-effective Manufacturing of Advanced Composite Structures. The cost barrier in thermoforming, due to the lack of understanding of shear deformation and wrinkling, has inhibited the large-scale application of fibre-reinforced composite structures in aerospace and automobile industries. This project aims to develop a cost-effective diaphragm thermoforming process through an in-depth understanding of the thermoforming mechanisms. The outcomes will include novel theories for thermoforming, a standard method for material property characterization and new finite element models compatible with the most popular software available for industry. The project will form the basis for establishing the effective production window and enhance greatly the competitive edge of the Australian manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560673
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,178.00
Summary
Scanning 3D laser vibrometer for non-contact in-plane and out-of-plane vibration measurement. The requested 3D scanning laser vibrometer is intended for the characterisation of 3D vibration of small and large, simple and complex structures, for the purpose of understanding the vibratory behaviour as a precursor to optimising noise and vibration control strategies. It has application to small items for which the use of contact sensors is impossible or impractical, as well as large structures for ....Scanning 3D laser vibrometer for non-contact in-plane and out-of-plane vibration measurement. The requested 3D scanning laser vibrometer is intended for the characterisation of 3D vibration of small and large, simple and complex structures, for the purpose of understanding the vibratory behaviour as a precursor to optimising noise and vibration control strategies. It has application to small items for which the use of contact sensors is impossible or impractical, as well as large structures for which the vibration fields can be complex and a 3D scanning capability is essential. Examples include micro-positioning actuators, piezo-electric motors, live cell response, disk brakes, aircraft and vehicles. Outcomes include the enhancement of existing research projects, allowing a greater understanding of the noise and vibration phenomena.Read moreRead less