Greener cleaner composites [extension]

最初的4年奖学金旨在促进生物衍生树脂和聚合物在航空航天应用中的使用。该研究员成功开发了用于航空货运托盘的生物衍生树脂配方，可减轻重量。生物衍生树脂的独特性能是通过合成新的生物固化剂来实现的，这减缓了反应时间并保持了高性能特性。此外，研究员还发现了一种使用基于分子动力学的算法进一步减轻托盘重量的方法。这项突破在航空航天封装和固定化合物方面也有潜在的应用。该奖学金的扩展建议是（a）通过民航局的认证进一步商业化生物衍生航空货运托盘，（B）解决航空航天和汽车行业更普遍的消防安全问题，特别是与电动汽车行业锂离子电池运输相关的问题。电池中的热失控事件会释放易燃和有毒烟雾，构成重大风险。目前的挑战是开发一种重量轻，成本效益高的材料，可以包含在热失控事件期间释放的能量爆炸和颗粒。该研究员建议探索使用一种新型的、本质上阻燃的、从废弃农产品中提取的生物衍生聚合物，并结合纤维和颗粒的新型排列。这种可持续的热固性聚合物具有较差的机械性能和韧性，其固化机理仍然没有完全了解。拟议的扩展旨在（a）改善这种新型生物热固性材料的机械性能和耐久性，（B）研究其发泡机理，以及（c）同时开发测试协议，更准确地反映极端电池热事件，并可以证明复合材料对抗与电池相关的风险的潜力。这一扩展将有助于推进可持续和防火，在航空航天和汽车工业中使用高强度耐腐蚀材料，为电池密封和航空货运提供更安全、更环保的解决方案，同时促进生物衍生聚合物的使用。

The original 4-year Fellowship aimed to promote the use of bio-derived resins and polymers in aerospace applications. The Fellow successfully developed bio-derived resin formulations for an air cargo pallet, which can result in weight savings. The bio-derived resin's unique properties were achieved through the synthesis of new bio-hardeners, which slowed the reaction time and maintained high-performance characteristics. Additionally, the Fellow discovered a method to further reduce the pallet's weight using an algorithm based on molecular dynamics. This breakthrough also has potential applications in aerospace potting and fixing compounds.An extension to the Fellowship is proposed to (a) further commercialise a bio-derived air cargo pallet via certification by the Civil Aviation Authority and (b) address fire safety concerns more generally across the aerospace and automotive industries, particularly related to the transport of lithium-ion batteries for the electric vehicle industry. Thermal runaway events in batteries release flammable and toxic fumes, posing significant risks. The challenge is to develop a lightweight, cost-effective material that can contain the energy blast and particulates releases during a thermal runaway event. The Fellow proposes exploring the use of a novel and intrinsically fire-retardant, bio-derived polymer derived from waste agricultural products, in combination with novel arrangements of fibres and particulates. This sustainbable thermoset polymer has poor mechanical properties and toughness, and its curing mechanism is still not fully understood. The proposed extension aims to (a) improve the mechanical performance and durability of this new bio-thermoset, (b) investigate its foaming mechanism, and (c) simultaneously develop test protocols that more accurately reflect extreme battery thermal events and can demonstrate the potential of composite materials to combat the risks associated with batteries.This extension will contribute to advancing sustainable and fire-resistant materials in both the aerospace and automotive industries, providing safer and greener solutions for battery containment and air cargo, while promoting the use of bio-derived polymers.