Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Composites Design

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9316155 Tsai The use of composite material in complex engineering structure has generally been limited to high-cost and handmade traditional multidirectional laminates substructure. The design and manufacturing processes of structured composites have also been dominated by try-and-error approach. For civilian applications, cost estimation and durability of design must be emphasized. Today, industry is lack of innovative design and construction methodology for design and manufacturing of composite structure for low-cost civilian applications. Nearly all manufacturing methods used today are by batch rather than continuous process. An Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Composites Design at Stanford University could provide a better mechanism to achieve efficiency and economy in design and manufacturing in terms of energy consumption, dual-use technologies, and friendliness to the environment. The Center will focus on the integrated composite design and manufacturing technology such as grid structure of thermoplastic composites and continuous manufacturing processes for low cost civilian applications. A planning meeting was funded by NSF to study if industry would support an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Composites Design at Stanford University. A number of companies have committed to support this effort. Currently, there are six sponsors for the Center committing approximately $360,000. The Principle Investigator/Center Director and his colleagues are internationally recognized in this area and have the knowledge and facilities to run this Center. The proposed research projects will address: 1) optimization of grid panel and shell composite design; 2) process modelling of thermoplastic tape; 3) research in methodology of testing, inspection, maintenance, and repair of composite material; 4)manufacturing of thermoplastic composites. This Center has been coordinated with Dr. John Scalzi, Program Director of L arge Structural & Building System, Division of Mechanical and Structural Systems at the NSF. The Program Director recommends Stanford University be awarded $50,000 for the first year of a five-year continuing award. Near the end of each 12-month period the Program Manager and/or the Division Director of the engineering Education Centers Division will review the progress of the Center on a number of renewal criteria, including the following: 1) the extent to which the university-industry interaction is developing; 2) the extent to which the support base is developing; and 3) the extent to which a robust research program is developing. If the review is satisfactory, the Program Manager will recommend support for the next period of this continuing award.