Carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) are used to reduce fuel consumption in aviation domain by reducing weight. But the fibre production is a high energy intensive process. Recycling of the fibres enables an extended usage of carbon fibres even beyond the first life cycle. This leads to a lower strain on the energy intensive production…
The transonic cruise flight represents a compromise between the highest possible cruising speed and thus shorter flight time with the lowest possible fuel consumption Aircraft manufacturers and airlines make this compromise in order to operate in a profit-orientated manner, particularly against the background of rising fuel prices and the pursuit of emission reductions in air…
Manufacturing defects pose immense challenges for the production of aircraft structures made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). One characteristic type of defect, for example, is undesirable fibre waviness. They have a significant influence on the resulting material properties. Innovative approaches are therefore required in order to fulfil the high quality requirements of modern aviation.…
Imagine a spacecraft leaving the atmosphere at top speed on its way into boundless space. It is exposed to extreme temperatures – from the icy cold conditions of space to the searing heat of re-entry into the atmosphere. Every material used in such a spacecraft must be able to withstand these temperatures undamaged. But how…
The rotor of a helicopter is the largest vibration generator. The resulting vibrations reduce the service life of mechanical and electrical components and, like noise, have a major impact on crew comfort and public acceptance. The internal structural design of a helicopter rotor blade not only has to withstand enormous loads, but also contributes significantly…
Hydrogen as an energy source is a promising solution for sustainable andCO2-neutral mobility. The storage of hydrogen as a fuel is an important basis for this. High-pressure tanks are already being used in some applications and are being continuously developed further. For aerospace applications, the storage of hydrogen in liquid form (LH2) is an interesting…
For the first time, we organised the ‘Competition for Innovation’ at the Institute for Lightweight Systems in 2024. The winners of the competition were teams that impressed with innovative technological proposals. These included: the cost-effective and precise production of moulds for fibre composite manufacturing from cardboard, a software solution for the simulation of fibre composites…
The safety and efficiency of aeroplanes depend to a large extent on the resilience of their structures. Damage cannot be prevented during the operational life of an aircraft. The best possible methods for damage assessment are therefore essential. In order to utilise the lightweight construction potential of CFRP as well as to ensure operational safety,…
The expansion of electricity generation using wind energy significantly contributes towards the climate-neutral energy supply in Germany. Due to the limited area available, future wind turbines will need to be more economical, with an improved degree of utilisation. The development of larger rotor blades is particularly important for this. However, established materials are nearing their…
When we look at how birds fly, we can see that they modify the shape of their wings during flight. They do this because they know that to be more performant, faster and, among others, get their food, they need to adapt to different flying conditions, such as those from variable winds. Aircraft engines consist…