Clean Energy Capability Portfolio | Storage Technologies |
Cryogenic Testing of Advanced Fibre
Composite
Lightweight storage of liquid hydrogen is important for the sustainable energy and decarbonisation of heavy industries , such as electric aircraft , spacecraft , and ships . Existing carbon-fibre reinforced composites suffer matrix cracking that leads to leakage and lower strength . The UNSW team led by Scientia Professor Chun Wang has developed groundbreaking techniques that can eliminate matrix cracking in carbon fibre composites by toughening the polymer matrix at cryogenic temperatures using nano-fabrication technologies . |
Competitive Advantage • Lightweight and strong fibre composites that can safely operate at cryogenic temperatures without microcracking are urgently required to reduce the weight of future aerospace craft , launch vehicles , fuel storage , and other space missions . This need is being addressed with extensive expertise in :
• Nano-engineering of fibre reinforced composites to simultaneously improve mechanical , electrical and other functionalities , such as gas permeability
• Design and manufacturing of carbon fibre composites for extreme operating conditions , such as high mechanical stress and super cold temperatures
• Automated manufacturing processes , such as fibre placement and filament winding to reduce the cost of production
Impact |
Our Collaborators • Omni Tanker
• Lockheed Martin Space
More Information Scientia Professor Chun Wang School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering T : + 61 2 9385 3232 E : chun . h . wang @ unsw . edu . au
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• Significant improvement of mechanical properties and permeation leakage in cryogenic tanks |
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• Lighter fibre-composite tanks for transporting and storing liquid hydrogen as a fuel source |
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Successful Applications |
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• Prototype development of carbon fibre composite tank for storing liquid hydrogen ( Lockheed Martin ) |
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