Greener cleaner composites [extension]

最初为期4年的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。这位研究员成功地为航空货运托盘开发了生物衍生树脂配方，这可以减少重量。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，它减缓了反应时间，并保持了高性能特性。此外，这位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。这一突破在航空航天灌装和固定化合物方面也有潜在的应用。建议延长研究金，以(A)通过民航局的认证进一步将生物衍生航空货运托盘商业化，以及(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的锂离子电池运输有关的问题。电池中的热失控事件释放出易燃和有毒的烟雾，构成重大风险。挑战是开发一种重量轻、成本效益高的材料，能够在热失控事件中遏制能量爆炸和颗粒物释放。这位研究员建议探索使用一种从废弃农产品中提取的新型、本质上阻燃的生物衍生聚合物，并结合纤维和颗粒的新排列。这种可持续的热固性聚合物的力学性能和韧性较差，其固化机理尚不完全清楚。拟议的延期旨在(A)提高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，(C)同时开发测试协议，更准确地反映极端电池热事件，并能够展示复合材料对抗电池相关风险的潜力。这一延期将有助于推动航空航天和汽车行业的可持续和耐火材料的发展，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.