Publications
Highlights
This is a selection of publications from the Structural Power Composites Group. For a full list of publications, please see below.
Highlights
Results
- Showing results for:
- Reset all filters
Search results
-
Journal articleQi G, Nguyen S, Anthony DB, et al., 2021,
The influence of fabrication parameters on the electrochemical performance of multifunctional structural supercapacitors
, Multifunctional Materials, Vol: 4, ISSN: 2399-7532Multifunctional structural supercapacitors based on carbon fibre electrodes (CF) and structural electrolytes (SEs) can realise multifunctionality by simultaneously bearing load and providing electrochemical energy storage. Structural supercapacitor constituents (i.e. electrodes and electrolytes) have undergone significant development to enhance their electrochemical and mechanical properties. However, the fabrication of fully functional devices presents a number of practical challenges to achieve optimal multifunctional properties, particularly those associated with assembly and lamination. This work investigated the effect of separator selection and processing parameters on the electrochemical performance of structural supercapacitors, as well as evaluating the repeatability of the SE filming process. Two layers of glass fibre fabrics were the most effective separator for preventing short-circuiting of the structural supercapacitors. The weight fraction of the SE matrix had a significant effect on the capacitance, energy and power of the structural supercapacitors. By addressing such fabrication challenges, high performance structural supercapacitors can be manufactured with greater reproducibility and at larger scales such that they are suitable for integration in industrial applications.
-
Journal articleNguyen S, Millereux A, Pouyat A, et al., 2021,
Conceptual multifunctional design, feasibility and requirements for structural power in aircraft cabins
, Journal of Aircraft: devoted to aeronautical science and technology, Vol: 58, Pages: 677-687, ISSN: 0021-8669This paper presents a theoretical investigation into the potential use of structural power composites in regional aircraft passenger cabins and the corresponding challenges to widespread use, including fire-resistance, long-term cycling performance, and cost. This study focusses on adapting sandwich floor panels with structural power composite face sheets, designed to power the in-flight entertainment system. Using a simple mechanical model to define the structural requirements, based on state-of-the-art laminated structural power composites, a series of electrochemical energy storage performance targets were calculated: a specific energy > 144 Wh/kg, a specific power > 0.29 kW/kg, an in-plane elastic modulus > 28 GPa and in-plane tensile and compressive strengths > 219 MPa. Significantly, the use of a distributed energy storage system offered a significant range of other mass and cost savings, associated with a simplified power system, and the use of ground-generated electrical energy. For an Airbus A220-100, the analysis predicted potential mass and volume savings of approximately 260 kg and 510 land annual reductions in CO2and NOx emissions of approximately 280 tonnes and 1.2 tonnes respectively. This extended design analysis of a specific component highlights both the far-reaching implications of implementing structural power materials and the potential extensive systemic benefits.
-
Journal articleLee C, Greenhalgh E, Shaffer M, et al., 2020,
Optimized microstructures for multifunctional structural electrolytes
, Multifunctional Materials, Vol: 2, ISSN: 2399-7532Multifunctional structural materials offer compelling opportunities to realize highly efficient products. However, the need to fulfil disparate functions generates intrinsically conflicting physical property demands. One attractive strategy is to form a bi-continuous architecture of two disparate phases, each addressing a distinct physical property. For example, structural polymer electrolytes combine rigid and ion-conducting phases to deliver the required mechanical and electrochemical performance. Here, we present a general methodology, based on topology optimization, to identify optimal microstructures for particular design considerations. The numerical predictions have been successfully validated by experiments using 3D printed specimens. These architectures are directly relevant to multifunctional structural composites whilst the methodology can easily be extended to identify optimal microstructural designs for other multifunctional material embodiments.
-
Conference paperNguyen S, Millereux A, Pouyat A, et al., 2020,
Structural power performance requirements for future aircraft integration
, 22nd International Conference on Composite Materials 2019 (ICCM22), Publisher: Engineers Australia, Pages: 1-12This paper investigates the use of structural power composites in Airbus A220-100 aircraft cabins by integrating floor panels with face sheets made of structural power composites to power the in-flight entertainment system. This application requires a minimum specific energy of 305 Wh/kg and a minimum specific power of 0.610 kW/kg. The static and dynamic loads for which the floor panels must be certified require an in-plane Young’s modulus of 50 GPa, a compressive strength of 225 MPa and a tensile strength of 119 MPa. Structural power composite floor panels are predicted to yield mass savings of 324 kg, annual cost savings of £85,000 per aircraft and annual reductions in CO2 and NOx emissions of 343 tonnes and 1.4 tonnes respectively. However, addressing challenges such as fire-resistance, long term cycling performance and public perception of structural power composites are necessary to enable widespread use of such materials on-board airliners.
-
Conference paperSenokos E, Anthony D, Nguyen S, et al., 2020,
Manganese dioxide decorated carbon aerogel/carbon fibre composite as a promising electrode for structural supercapacitors
, 22nd International Conference on Composite Materials 2019 (ICCM22), Publisher: Engineers Australia, Pages: 1-8Manganese dioxide electrochemically deposited onto carbon aerogel/carbon fibres (CAG/CF) shows a great potential as an electrode material in multifunctional structural supercapacitors. MnO₂ nanowires grown by a pulse potentiometric method provide a large enhancement in capacitive performance of the carbon electrodes and symmetric supercapacitor devices based on the hybrid material.
-
Journal articleJohannisson W, Nguyen S, Lindbergh G, et al., 2020,
A residual performance methodology to evaluate multifunctional systems
, Multifunctional Materials, Vol: 3, Pages: 025002-025002<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>The development of multifunctional materials and structures is receiving increasing interest for many applications and industries; it is a promising way to increase system-wide efficiency and improve the ability to meet environmental targets. However, quantifying the advantages of a multifunctional solution over monofunctional systems can be challenging. One approach is to calculate a reduction in mass, volume or other penalty function. Another approach is to use a multifunctional efficiency metric. However, either approach can lead to results that are unfamiliar or difficult to interpret and implement for an audience without a multifunctional materials or structures background.</jats:p> <jats:p>Instead, we introduce a comparative metric for multifunctional materials that correlates with familiar design parameters for monofunctional materials. This metric allows the potential benefits of the multifunctional system to be understood easily without needing a holistic viewpoint. The analysis is applied to two different examples of multifunctional systems; a structural battery and a structural supercapacitor, demonstrating the methodology and its potential for state-of-the-art structural power materials to offer a weight saving over conventional systems. This metric offers a new way to communicate research on structural power which could help identify and prioritise future research.</jats:p>
-
Journal articleValkova M, Anthony DB, Kucernak ARJ, et al., 2020,
Predicting the compaction of hybrid multilayer woven composite reinforcement stacks
, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol: 133, ISSN: 1359-835XA meso-scale finite element modelling strategy was developed to investigate the effect of hybridisation on the compaction response of multilayer stacks combining glass and carbon dry woven fabrics. It is expected that the electrochemical-mechanical properties of emerging multifunctional hybrid composites are strongly dictated by the morphology of the compacted reinforcements, yet no investigations into their compressibility have been reported. Model predictions were evaluated against compressibility measurements for monolithic and hybrid fabric stacks. The ply offset had a major influence on the predicted internal morphologies and fibre content, contributing to experimental variability thereof. Optical microscopy and micro X-ray computed tomography imaging indicated greater likelihood of intermediate ply offsets in physical specimens, over limit case model idealisations. Compressibility was slightly reduced in the hybrid multilayer stacks studied in this work. The model outputs presented are being used to analyse the electrochemical-mechanical response of hybrid woven structural power composites.
-
Journal articleNguyen S, Anthony DB, Qian H, et al., 2019,
Mechanical and physical performance of carbon aerogel reinforced carbon fibre hierarchical composites
, Composites Science and Technology, Vol: 182, ISSN: 0266-3538Carbon aerogel (CAG) is a potential hierarchical reinforcement to improve the matrix-dominated mechanical properties of continuous carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites in both multifunctional and purely structural applications. When using CAG to reinforce a polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) matrix, the interlaminar shear strength, compressive modulus and strength increased approximately four-fold, whilst the out-of-plane electrical conductivity increased by 118%. These mechanical and electrical performance enhancements significantly improve the multifunctional efficiency of composite structural supercapacitors, which can offer weight savings in transport and other applications. However, CAG also has the potential to reinforce conventional continuous CF composites in purely structural contexts. Here, CAG reinforcement of structural epoxy resin composites marginally increased compressive (1.4%) and tensile (2.7%) moduli respectively, but considerably reduced compressive, tensile and interlaminar shear strengths. Fractographic analysis shows that the reduced performance can be attributed to poor interfacial adhesion; in the future, alternative processing routes may resolve these issues to achieve advances in both moduli and strengths over conventional structural CFRPs.
-
Conference paperLee C, Panesar A, Greenhalgh E, 2019,
Design of optimised multi-scale structures for multifunctional composites
, International conference on composite materials (ICCM-22), Publisher: Engineers Australia, Pages: 1-8The multi-scale structures are commonly found in nature, such as plants and bones. Such multi-scale structurescan be divided into macro-scale, micro-scale and further sub-scale structures. In this study, we aim to designoptimised two-scale structures for multifunctional composites, specifically by enhancing the structural stiffnessand the ionic conductivity simultaneously. To tackle this problem, a novel strategy for achieving optimised multiscale structures is presented. A database of optimised micro-scale structures and simple placement criterion forthe micro-scale structure were applied. We demonstrate the efficiency of our strategy by designing, optimisingand evaluating two-scale structures composed of macro-and micro-scales. The advantage of our strategy foroptimised multi-scale structures is presented and discussed by comparing the structural stiffness and the ionicconductivity of several two-scale structures composed of different microstructures such as the solid-void, uniformand varied microstructures.
-
Conference paperAnthony D, Nguyen S, Senokos E, et al., 2019,
Hierarchical carbon aerogel modified carbon fiber composites for structural power applications
, 22nd International Conference on Composite Materials 2019 (ICCM22), Publisher: Engineers Australia, Pages: 1-7The desire to reduce overall weight in devices is a key driver for perpetual material development; the ability to combine composites with energy storage functions/capabilities which simultaneously provide structural integrity has the potential to supersede monofunctional components. To achieve this ambition, the multifunctional structure must perform both mechanical and energy storage functions sufficiently, but often there is a trade off in performance which is a significant challenge to overcome. Carbon aerogels have been shown to contribute positively to (electro-chemical double layer) capacitive performance due to an increased surface area in multifunctional carbon fiber based composite electrodes, but have also been shown to reduce mechanical properties; the addition of nanoscale reinforcers, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene or alike, with their superlative electrical and mechanical properties are proposed to address these concerns and create a truly hierarchical structure suitable for structural power applications.
-
Journal articleJavaid A, Ho KKC, Bismarck A, et al., 2018,
Improving the multifunctional behaviour of structural supercapacitors by incorporating chemically activated carbon fibres and mesoporous silica particles as reinforcement
, JOURNAL OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS, Vol: 52, Pages: 3085-3097, ISSN: 0021-9983 -
Conference paperAnthony DB, bismarck A, blaker JJ, et al., 2016,
Development of novel composites through fibre and interface/interphase modification
, 37th Risø International Symposium on Materials Science, Publisher: IOP, Pages: 012001-012001, ISSN: 1757-8981We show how fibre/matrix interface (or interphase) modification can be used to develop a range of novel carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites that open up new applications far beyond those of standard CFRPs. For example, composites that undergo pseudo-ductile failure have been created through laser treatment of carbon fibres. Composites manufactured with thermo-responsive interphases can undergo significant reductions in stiffness at elevated temperatures. Additionally, structural supercapacitors have been developed through a process that involves encapsulating carbon fibres in carbon aerogel.
-
Journal articleJavaid A, Ho KKC, Bismarck A, et al., 2015,
Carbon fibre-reinforced poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidylether based multifunctional structural supercapacitor composites for electrical energy storage applications
, Journal of Composite Materials, Vol: 50, Pages: 2155-2163, ISSN: 1530-793X -
Conference paperQian H, Nguyen S, Anthony DB, et al., 2015,
Stiff monolithic aerogel matrices for structural fibre composites
, 20th International Conference on Composite Materials, Publisher: iccm-central.orgResorcinol-formaldehyde based aerogel precursors were infused into structural carbon fibreweaves, then gelled and carbonised to generate a continuous monolithic matrix network. Thishierarchical carbon preform was subsequently infused with polymeric resins, both multifunctional andstructural, to produce dense composites. The resulting hierarchical composites have a nanoscalereinforcement in the matrix at up to an order of magnitude higher loadings than typically available byother techniques. Compression, tension, ±45° shear and short beam tests demonstrate the potential ofsuch matrix systems to address matrix dominated failures. However, for the best structuralperformance it will be necessary to re-optimise the fibre-matrix interface, which is degraded by thecurrent processing regime.
-
Conference paperGreenhalgh ES, Shirshova N, Kucernak A, et al., 2015,
RECENT ADVANCES IN STRUCTURAL SUPERCAPACITORS FOR TRANSPORT APPLICATIONS
, 20th International Conference on Composite Materials (ICCM), Publisher: AALBORG UNIV PRESS- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 1
-
Journal articleShirshova N, Qian H, Houlle M, et al., 2014,
Multifunctional structural energy storage composite supercapacitors
, Faraday Discussions, Vol: 172, Pages: 81-103, ISSN: 1359-6640This paper addresses the challenge of producing multifunctional composites that can simultaneously carry mechanical loads whilst storing (and delivering) electrical energy. The embodiment is a structural supercapacitor built around laminated structural carbon fibre (CF) fabrics. Each cell consists of two modified structural CF fabric electrodes, separated by a structural glass fibre fabric or polymer membrane, infused with a multifunctional polymeric electrolyte. Rather than using conventional activated carbon fibres, structural carbon fibres were treated to produce a mechanically robust, high surface area material, using a variety of methods, including direct etching, carbon nanotube sizing, and carbon nanotube in situ growth. One of the most promising approaches is to integrate a porous bicontinuous monolithic carbon aerogel (CAG) throughout the matrix. This nanostructured matrix both provides a dramatic increase in active surface area of the electrodes, and has the potential to address mechanical issues associated with matrix-dominated failures. The effect of the initial reaction mixture composition is assessed for both the CAG modified carbon fibre electrodes and resulting devices. A low temperature CAG modification of carbon fibres was evaluated using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) to enhance the electrochemical performance. For the multifunctional structural electrolyte, simple crosslinked gels have been replaced with bicontinuous structural epoxy–ionic liquid hybrids that offer a much better balance between the conflicting demands of rigidity and molecular motion. The formation of both aerogel precursors and the multifunctional electrolyte are described, including the influence of key components, and the defining characteristics of the products. Working structural supercapacitor composite prototypes have been produced and characterised electrochemically. The effect of introducing the necessary multifunctional resin on the mechanical properties
-
Journal articleGreenhalgh ES, Ankersen J, Asp LE, et al., 2014,
Mechanical, electrical and microstructural characterisation of multifunctional structural power composites
, Journal of Composite Materials, Vol: 49, Pages: 1823-1834, ISSN: 1530-793X -
Journal articleAsp LE, Greenhalgh ES, 2014,
Structural power composites
, COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Vol: 101, Pages: 41-61, ISSN: 0266-3538- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 168
-
Journal articleJavaid A, Ho KKC, Bismarck A, et al., 2014,
Multifunctional structural supercapacitors for electrical energy storage applications
, JOURNAL OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS, Vol: 48, Pages: 1409-1416, ISSN: 0021-9983- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 43
-
Journal articleQian H, Kucernak AR, Greenhalgh ES, et al., 2013,
Multifunctional Structural Supercapacitor Composites Based on Carbon Aerogel Modified High Performance Carbon Fiber Fabric
, ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES, Vol: 5, Pages: 6113-6122, ISSN: 1944-8244- Author Web Link
- Open Access Link
- Cite
- Citations: 151
This data is extracted from the Web of Science and reproduced under a licence from Thomson Reuters. You may not copy or re-distribute this data in whole or in part without the written consent of the Science business of Thomson Reuters.