Submitted by: Abbas Milani
Composite materials, including the well-known carbon and glass fibres, are familiar to everyone. From Formula 1 racers to hockey sticks, the fuselage of the F-22 raptor fighter jet to the fictional Batmobile, these engineered materials have created a new era of industrial innovation. However, the process of manufacturing these materials is far from perfect and involves risk. Researchers at UBC as part of the pan-western Composites Research Network are conducting novel research to solve current composite manufacturing and design challenges in collaboration with more than 20 local companies in BC, to leading international organizations such as Boeing and NASA.