Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites
Polymer composites and nanocomposites are materials in which a polymer matrix is filled with organic or inorganic fillers in the forms of fibers, platelets, or particulates. Such heterogeneous material systems have properties that cannot be achieved by either of the constituent materials alone. They become more and more important because their multifunctional properties and performance can be tuned and optimized using novel micro-and-nanostructuring techniques. As a result, these versatile material systems are used in a wide range of applications in diverse fields including automotive, aerospace, biomedical, construction, electronics, energy, and packaging. This symposium intends to be a forum for researchers to disseminate the state-of-the-art research and review presentations on the design and fabrication of novel polymer composites and nanocomposites. Topics of interest include but not limited to (i) processing-structure-properties relationship; (ii) smart and multifunctional properties; (iii) energy harvesting and energy storage; and (iv) nano-processing.
Retrofit of Concrete and Masonry Structures
Externally Applied Composites are widely used in Infrastructure, in Repair and Strengthening of Concrete and Masonry Structures. Authors are encouraged to submit 2-page papers related to the use of composites and other advanced materials and concepts in Retrofit of Concrete and Masonry Structures. Already published papers discuss critical unresolved issues on assessment, modeling, analyses
and design of existing structures before and after Composites application. Strengthening and repair of structures under extreme seismic or extreme service loading or harsh environmental conditions, structures that are suffering fatigue, steel corrosion or seismic damages and assessment of residual life of
damaged and
ageing infrastructure. Retrofit of structures with innovative concepts, composites and other advanced, eco-friendly, biomaterials, hybrid materials, 3D printed materials, and nanomaterials. Utilization of advanced 3D finite element analyses in innovative design and application of composites in construction. Standardization of tests and advanced design of retrofits. Various other areas of applications are covered.
Rational: Retrofit of Concrete and Masonry Structures session is developed within the ICCE broader concept that emphasizes the "D.I.M.” approaches to science and engineering (DURABILITY approach to structures, INTERDISCIPLINARY approach to science, and MULTIFUNCTIONAL approach to materials). It aims to bridge the gaps between infrastructures, aerospace technology, bio-materials and nanotechnology among others. The goal is to ENCOURAGE LEVERAGING of composite materials research resources through joint research between participants and writing joint research proposals.
FRP Composites for Civil Infrastructure Applications
Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are promoted as the new construction materials to be used in civil infrastructure due to their superior corrosion resistance and high strength-to-weight ratio, including structural shapes, bridge decks, internal reinforcements
and externally bonded reinforcements. This session intends to be a forum for researchers to disseminate the state-of-the-art researches and developments on the design and fabrication of FRP composites for civil Infrastructure applications. Topics of interest include but not limited to (i) FRP strengthening of RC/steel structures; (ii) innovative uses of FRP composites; (iii) durability, material performance, inspection
and quality assurance; and (iv) performance under seismic, dynamic and impact loading.
Novel 3D Printing of Composites
3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. The creation of a 3D printed composites is achieved using additive processes. In an additive
process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. 3D printing enables you to produce complex composites using different materials at a time and fabricate more complex structures and spatial architectures than traditional methods. 3D printing has many successful applications in aerospace, construction engineering
and biomedical engineering. Novel 3D printing of composites topic focuses on any cutting-edge research regarding the use of composites or hybrid materials as building blocks to fabricate industrial or biological products.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Molecular dynamics (MD) is a computer simulation method for studying the physical movements of atoms and molecules. The atoms and molecules are allowed to interact for a fixed period of time, giving a view of the dynamic evolution of the system. In general, the trajectories of atoms and molecules are determined by numerically solving Newton's equations of motion for a system of interacting particles, where forces between the particles and their potential energies are often calculated using interatomic potentials or molecular mechanics force fields. MD simulations gain popularity in materials science and engineering. This symposium intends to be a forum for researchers to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of molecular dynamics simulations and their applications in
composite material system. It also provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners
and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns in the fields of molecular dynamics simulations.
Homogenization
Homogenization is comprised of a large set of techniques for predicting the response of heterogeneous materials based on the properties and arrangement of the individual phases. These techniques range from classical micromechanics approaches to rigorous mathematical homogenization theories. They play an indispensable role in the development and design of advanced materials, including traditional composites, functionally graded, multifunctional, nano and smart materials, amongst others, for use in diverse applications. Development of these materials is accelerated by novel homogenization-based computational techniques that make transparent the connection between operative deformation and failure mechanisms at different material scales on the overall response. This symposium provides a platform for engineers and scientists to share ideas and present latest
resultson the development and application of different homogenization
approaches
,including finite-element, finite-volume, transform and elasticity-based techniques, in stand-alone as well as multi-scale applications ranging from nanotechnology to medicine.
Wang, G. and Pindera, M-J., "Locally-exact homogenization of unidirectional composites with coated or hollow reinforcement”, Materials and Design 93, 514–528, 2016.
Cryogenically Conditioned
High Performance Fibers
High performance fibers
has been extensively used in the fields of aerospace, military, marine or mountaineering etc, due to its good mechanical properties, thermal stabilities
and energy absorption properties. The
high performance fiber reinforced composites need to withstand large cyclic temperature variations and extremely low temperatures. Therefore, the
PAN based carbon fiber, CNT fiber
and Kevlar fiber were cryogenically conditioned both through a low cooling rate and a quench rate to explore the effects of cryogenic treatments on properties and micro-structures. Different cryogenic processes will
results in different consequences to the
high performance fibers. Generally, their interfacial bonding with matrix could be enhanced due to the change of the surface morphology and huge hoop stress induced by the cryogenic temperature. In addition, Kevlar fiber after proper cryogenic process will
possesses higher tensile strength or abrasion property. (Figures showed abrasion fractures of Kevlar fibers).
References: Composites Part B: Engineering (2017) 116, 398-405; Composites Part B: Engineering (2017) 125,195-202; Composites Part B: Engineering (2016) 99, 358-365; Composites Part B: Engineering (2016)105, 132-137.
Multifunctional Carbon Nanotube Yarns with Core-sheath Structure
Flexible strain sensors are needed in the development of flexible electronic systems of the future for many applications including the monitoring of human
motion
and physiological parameters as well as in therapeutics and entertainment. In addition to the ability to sense, essential characteristics of these devices are mechanical compatibility with the system (e.g. textile products), environmental stability, and robustness over repeated uses. To this end, carbon nanotube/polyvinyl alcohol (CNT/PVA) coated yarn with core-sheath structure (inner pure CNT core and outer CNT-PVA sheath, as shown in
figure) was fabricated. The CNT/PVA coated yarn can possess
an good electrical conductivity of 447.1 S/cm, better mechanical properties and exhibits linear piezoresistive response, showing its improved mechanical compatibility with the system (e.g. textile products). In addition, by adjusting the molecular weight of the PVA, a yarn-like switch-type humidity sensing material could be obtained. The electrical resistance of the virgin humidity sensing material remains almost constant at
low relative humidity (RH
), and then increases sharply as the RH increases above 75%, showing a good humidity switch characteristic.
References: Materials Letters, (2016)183, 117-121; Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical, (2016) 230, 528-535; Composites part A, (2018) Accepted; Composites Part A. (2016) 88, 98-105.
Gelclad-Aerogel and Nano-technology enhanced construction composite materials
Biopolymers are gaining increasing
attentions as a matrix for natural
fibre reinforced composites. Bio-based composites can have great potentials in both the construction industry as alternatives to currently adopted petrochemical counterparts, especially with the current mandate to use environmentally friendly and sustainable materials. The worldwide production of biopolymers/bioplastics is also on the rise which gives
research a greater variety and opportunity to tailor composites for intended application and requirements. Applying nanotechnologies in the construction industry is also on the rise as it allows for lighter and stronger nanocomposites to be produced with enhanced properties such as lower thermal conductivity and lower flammability.
This symposium is developed in connection with EU funded GELCLADproject within the ICCE broader concept that focuses on
biopolymers
and nanotechnology enhanced construction composites. The scope of the symposium will cover the following aspects:
1) Biopolymer/Bioplastics based construction materials
2) Nano-technology enhanced biocomposites
3) Co-extrusion of multi-functional composites
4) Novel insulation materials/systems
5) 3D printing biopolymer composites
The GELCLAD project which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme offers an innovative solution by combing biopolymers with nanotechnologies to produce an advanced and novel cladding
system , based on a single multi-
meso-structured panel with excellent insulation properties, made from functional
bio-polymers ,
bio-fibres and aerogel to prepare a sustainable, lightweight, and a waterproof ecoWPC frame, while also implementing an advanced foamable
extrudable aerogel (FEA) as an insulation core/layer to reduce the thermal transfer rate and the overall flammability of the cladding system.
Biodegradable and Nano-Engineering Polymers
Topics of interest include but not limited to
1)Material preparation, characterization and applications
2)Acoustical, thermal and mechanical properties
3)Constitutive modeling
4)Stress wave propagation
5)Energy absorption
6)Dynamic response to blast/impact loading
7)Ballistic penetration behavior
8)Optimal design
9)Multi-scale analysis
10)Experimental techniques and methods
