Technology Days

Composites Technology Forum for UK Defence

The National Composites Centre is facilitating a series of Technology Days as part of the Composites Technology Forum for UK Defence. Each event will focus on a priority technology theme that has been identified and selected from a consultation with industry and the Ministry of Defence.

Each Technology Day will provide a collaborative discussion space between the Forum Steering Board, the UK industrial supply chain and academic communities that is focused around a priority technology theme. 

Technology Days are hosted by the NCC in Bristol. Each event provides an opportunity for participants to present novel materials and manufacturing technology from mid to low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) around a priority theme. This will not only help direct future research projects but will also open up opportunities for collaboration with other participants.

During each Technology Day, the NCC will also outline any current or planned research relevant to the theme and details of how to participate in future NCC-directed research projects or initiatives. There will be a chance to discuss any ‘open’ or ‘future-planned’ public or private funding routes on this topic, combined with an opportunity for the voice of the Ministry of Defence Executive Agencies Dstl, AWE, DE&S and SDA to be heard.

 

Other events

Registration of interest will open for future Technology Days in due course.

Smart Materials for Defence Applications - Tuesday 20 February 2024

*Event Complete*

Read more about Smart Materials for Defence Applications - Tuesday 20 February 2024

Smart Materials for Defence Applications - Tuesday 20 February 2024

  • Smart materials technology 
  • Nanomaterials technology 
  • Metamaterials technology 
  • Functional coatings for composites (polymer and ceramic) 
  • Electro-Magnetic (EM) shielding 
  • Protection from directed energy 
  • Low-cost manufacturing processes for novel and functional materials 
  • Novel composite reinforcement, metallised filaments, and complex hybrid weaving  
  • UK sovereign materials science and technology for Defence 

Joining Technology for Composites in Defence - 4 October 2023

In partnership with TWI *Event Complete*

Read more about Joining Technology for Composites in Defence - 4 October 2023

Joining Technology for Composites in Defence - 4 October 2023

  • Mechanical Fastening Composites
  • Adhesive Bonding Composites
  • Welding Composites (Thermoplastic)
  • Joining Strategies for CMC’s and Metallic Materials
  • Joint Design
  • Joint Inspection and Assurance
  • Joint Durability and Testing
  • Mechanical Fastening

Half the Time Half the Cost: Enabling Composites in Defence with Advanced Digital Technologies - 12 July 2023

*Event Complete*

Read more about Half the Time Half the Cost: Enabling Composites in Defence with Advanced Digital Technologies - 12 July 2023

Half the Time Half the Cost: Enabling Composites in Defence with Advanced Digital Technologies - 12 July 2023

  • Manufacturing automation and self-adaptive manufacturing for defence composites
  • Design for manufacture of defence composite, part-count reductionSmart Design, collaborative design processes engaging the knowledge supply chain
  • Rapid prototyping technology
  • Machine learning for preventative reduction of scrap-rate in defence composites production
  • Digital tools for virtual testing, manufacturing process modelling, and digital twinning
  • Certification and Qualification by Analysis for composites in defence

Composites for a Sustainable Future in Defence - 22 February 2023

*Event complete*

Read more about Composites for a Sustainable Future in Defence - 22 February 2023

Composites for a Sustainable Future in Defence - 22 February 2023

Composites for a Sustainable Future in Defence - 22 February 2023

  • end-of-life recycling technology for composite materials that are specifically used in the defence sector
  • lifecycle assessment approaches for composites in defence assets
  • design for sustainability in defence
  • composites technology that specifically enables alternative energy sources for defence applications, such as electrification and hydrogen power
  • sustainable or bio-derived composite materials technology for defence applications
  • technologies to enable the re-life or sustainable repair of composites in defence assets
  • composite manufacturing technologies for defence applications with demonstrable reduction in energy usage (ie using less heat/electricity/fossil fuels). 

Composites for High Service Temperature - 28-29 September 2022

*Event complete*

Read more about Composites for High Service Temperature - 28-29 September 2022

Composites for High Service Temperature - 28-29 September 2022

  • High Tg polymer matrix composites technology (200C and above)
  • Metal matrix composites technology for high temperature applications
  • Ceramic matrix composites technology for high temperature applications
  • Thermal barrier coatings for composites, heatshields and ablatives
  • Novel materials for high temperature hypersonic flight applications
  • Testing of high temperature composites (methods and standards development)
  • Composites design for high service temperature
  • Thermal modelling for composites in high temperature
  • Joining technologies for composite assemblies in high temperature applications, i.e. thermal expansion matching

Composites for Harsh Environments in Defence - 22 June 2022

* Event complete *

Read more about Composites for Harsh Environments in Defence - 22 June 2022

Composites for Harsh Environments in Defence - 22 June 2022

  • Marine environment (surface and sub), saltwater, sea-ice and UV exposure
  • Acoustic fatigue and acoustic-thermal fatigue (jet and rocket propulsion)
  • Fire retardancy, resistance and containment, fire smoke and toxicity
  • Materials and degradation modelling for composites exposed to ionising and non-ionising radiation
  • Durability/exposure testing for composites materials
  • Environmental resistance coatings or additives for composites  

Composites for Survivability - 22 March 2022

* Event complete *

Read more about Composites for Survivability - 22 March 2022

Composites for Survivability - 22 March 2022

  • Shock load on composite in defence
  • Impact resistance in defence
  • Ballistic resistance in defence
  • Blast resistance in defence
  • Impact/ballistic modelling for composites
  • Testing for impact and ballistic on composite
  • New materials and manufacturing technology for impact/ballistic/blast protection

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