Reflecting on ECCM21 in Nantes

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The Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe (IVW) participated in the 21st European Conference on Composite Materials (ECCM21) held in Nantes, France. This conference brought together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss the latest advancements and innovations in composite materials.

Special Sessions

Our colleagues organized and led several special sessions, focusing on cutting-edge topics in composite materials:

  • Permeability of Fibrous Reinforcements
    PD Dr.-Ing. habil. David May co-led this session with Dr. Elena Syerko from Ecole Centrale Nantes, exploring various perspectives on permeability determination, including experiments, simulations, and artificial intelligence applications.
  • Vitrimer Matrix Composites
    Dr.-Ing. Andreas Klingler led a session on this emerging class of polymer matrices, discussing their mechanical performance, reprocessability and potential to enhance the sustainability of polymer composite materials. The session gathered experts to discuss current challenges and future trends from the perspectives of engineering, physics and chemistry.
  • Solid Resins in Composite Materials
    PD Dr.-Ing. habil. David May led this session, focusing on novel process concepts, formulations and industrial applications of solid thermoset resin systems.
  • Hybrid-Molding Technologies for Thermoplastic Composites
    Prof. Dr. Thomas Neumeyer organized this session, highlighting innovative techniques and applications in hybrid-molding technologies. The session focused on combinations of injection molding technologies and continuous reinforcements and also covered aspects of the processing of high-temperature thermoplastics as well as tooling technology.

Presentations

Our team delivered several impactful presentations, advancing discussions on innovative research and applications in composite materials. For example:

  • PD Dr.-Ing. habil. David May: Presented results from the project ML4ProcessSimulation, showcasing data-driven emulators, specifically neural networks, that predict the permeability of fiber structures with remarkable accuracy. This research was conducted in collaboration with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence.
  • Christian Andriß, M.Sc.: Delivered a presentation on an integral method for the efficient characterization and modeling of the nonlinear, rate-dependent mechanical behavior of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. The new characterization method developed by our team provides extensive material data and a comprehensive approach to material characterization and modeling. With the developed method, the long-term material response, such as creep, can be determined and predicted in an efficient manner.
  • Nithya Sindhe, M.Sc.: Spoke about the challenges in developing liquid hydrogen and cryo-compressed hydrogen distribution systems. Shared innovative designs that address these challenges, particularly focusing on the suspension system for load-bearing hydrogen pipelines and tanks, receiving positive feedback from the audience.
  • Dr.-Ing. Florian Gortner presented the latest developments within the LuFo-funded project TraNa. In close collaborated with project partners a translucent and flame-retardant Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) for aircraft applications, fulfilling the UL94 V0 classification at 2 mm wall thickness has been developed ad successfully processed.
  • Tim Schmidt, M.Sc.: Spoke about the development of statistically representative volume elements (SVE) for the numerical permeability determination of textile-based composites. The SVEs form the basis for accurate simulation results not only for flow simulation, but e.g. also for mechanical simulations.
  • Dr. Miro Duhovic: Delivered a presentation on the 3D digitalization of high fiber volume fraction C-SMC materials and the recently started work in the IGF project "Machine Vision for Carbon Composites." The advanced digitalization methods allow for real-time quality control during the manufacturing of carbon fiber sheet molding compound (C-SMC) materials, as well as the generation of material property data such as fiber orientation for C-SMC compression molding simulations.

Acknowledgments

We extend our gratitude to the European Society for Composite Materials (ESCM) for organizing this successful conference and to all the participants for their valuable contributions.

You can read all our lectures here: IVW ECCM21 Contributions.

(from left to right) Prof. Dr. Thomas Neumeyer, Christian Andriß, Dr.-Ing. Florian Gortner, Dipl.-Ing. Maximilian Eckrich, Nithya Sindhe, Dr.-Ing. Andreas Klingler, Alexander Nuhn, PD Dr.-Ing. habil. David May, Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Schmeer, Tim Schmidt, PD Dr. rer. nat. habil. Martin Gurka, Dr. Miro Duhovic

Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Schmeer

Dr.-Ing. Andreas Klingler

Dr.-Ing. Florian Gortner

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