Modeling takes the lead in driving materials research for the future

In the realm of unmanned aircraft, long-duration mission profiles and increased reliability this year motivated development of innovative multifunctional mechano-luminescence-optoelectronic, MLO, composites to be integrated into next-generation unmanned aircraft at New Mexico Tech in collaboration w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aerospace America 2018-12, Vol.56 (11), p.10
Main Authors: Duenas, Terrisa, Glaessgen, Ed
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aircraft reliability
Cantilever beams
Crack propagation
Damage detection
Elastomers
Energy harvesting
Fatigue failure
Luminescence
Materials research
Optoelectronics
Polymer matrix composites
R&D
Research & development
Self healing materials
Strain
Thin films
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Unmanned aircraft
Zinc sulfide
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Summary:In the realm of unmanned aircraft, long-duration mission profiles and increased reliability this year motivated development of innovative multifunctional mechano-luminescence-optoelectronic, MLO, composites to be integrated into next-generation unmanned aircraft at New Mexico Tech in collaboration with NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California. MLO composites are composed of two functional constituents, such as mechano-luminescent copper-doped zinc sulfide-based elastomeric composites and mechano-optoelectronic poly (3-hexylthiophene)-based self-sensing thin films. MLO composites can be integrated with fiber-rein forced polymer composites to create autonomous composites, AutoCom, that exhibit a self-powered strain sensing capability that enables detection of fatigue damage and a mechanical-radiant-electrical energy harvesting capability that provides supplemental energy to the aircraft. Researchers at the University of Alabama in January quantified efficiency of self-healing composites in Mode-1, the term for testing double-cantilever beams of composite.
ISSN:0740-722X