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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/T22186/01
Title: Self-Sensing Fibre Reinforced Composites: A Novel Technique for Process and Structural Health Monitoring
Principal Investigator: Fernando, Professor GF
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Dr G Kister
Project Partners:
Advanced Composites Group Ltd Advanced Glassfiber Yarn (AGY) Interglas Technologies
P P G Industries (uk) Ltd Vosper Thornycroft (U K) Ltd Westland
Department: Metallurgy and Materials
Organisation: University of Birmingham
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 2005 Ends: 31 August 2009 Value (£): 328,954
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Lasers & Optics Materials Characterisation
Materials Processing Optical Devices & Subsystems
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
22 Jul 2004 Structural Prioritisation Panel (Tech) July 04 Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
The primary focus of this current grant application is to deploy conventional E-glass, reinforcing fibre light guides (RFLGs) to study three main issues. Firstly, to investigate the effects of specified fibres surface treatments on the cure kinetics of thermosetting resins. Secondly, to study the effects of fibre surface treatments and cure schedules on specified mechanical properties and finally, to exploit these reinforcing fibre waveguides to monitor insitu the fracture processes as a function of surface treatment and cure schedule. This is a collaborative research project between Cranfield University, PPG Industries and AGY (Glass fibre manufacturers), Vospers Thornycroft (glass fibre boats), CS-Interglas (weavers), Westland Helicopters (aerospace) and Advanced Composites Group (composites). This proposal will exploit other novel techniques that have been developed recently in the Research Group including the following. (i) Simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry and non-contact Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. (ii) Evanescent wave spectroscopy via conventional reinforcing glass fibres. (iii) A technique to use a CCD camera to image the end of a reinforcing fibre light guide and to quantify the effects of surface treatments and processing on mechanical properties.
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Organisation Website: http://www.bham.ac.uk