Main Technical Achievements M18: June 2019

CNTs growth on CF fabric: A successful up-scaling

NTUA has managed to grow successfully multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on carbon fiber (CF) fabrics through Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method. This process took place in a pilot-scale CVD reactor that was designed and set up from scratch by NTUA team.  By this, CF fabrics with dimensions higher than 3 cm in width, can be treated and used for the growth of MWCNTs on their surface. Moreover, the length of the fabrics can reach up to 20cm, which enables the manufacturing of composite specimens, according to the specifications of the mechanical testing.  According to the above, the CNT modified CF fabrics will be used to manufacture multi-functional composites with higher electrical and thermal conductivity than the conventional ones, combining also increased mechanical properties. In future work, the composites that will be manufactured through vacuum infusion are going to be tested for their self-sensing ability. Electromechanical measurements will take place, where the specimens will undergo tensile, flexural and fatigue stress, while monitoring their electrical response.

NTUA achievements M18
CANOE achievements M18
Thermal conductive compounds for FFF additive manufacturing 

CANOE is currently developing high thermal conductivity thermoplastic compounds using a combination of different nano-fillers synthetized by FORTH and NTUA.

Formulation tests carried out on the first year of the project enabled to choose thermoplastic – filler nature and ratios to obtain thermally conductive over 1 W.m-1.K-1 determined by University of Birmingham. The compounds have been produced at large scale (>10 kg) to enable demonstrator manufacturing.

After the compounding step, CANOE will manufacture filaments by extrusion with diameters compatible with Fuse Filament Fabrication process (FFF). These filaments will be used by BIOG3D in a FFF process to create 3D printed thermal management systems.

Development of magnetic nanoparticles for healing and chromophore microcapsules for damage sensing

During period M12-M18 ITAINNOVA has being investigating different magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in order to produce polymers with induction heating capabilities. Both commercial and MNPs synthetized at ITAINNOVA are being evaluated in terms of heating capacity, quality and thermal stability. In addition, the compounding and extrusion processes to obtain filaments for 3D printing are also being studied. On the other hand, the utilization of microcapsules with fluorescent substances as an additional functionality to reveal damage are being evaluated. In this sense, ITAINNOVA is also synthesizing their own microcapsules. First performance trials about this solution have been also carried out during this period.

ITAINNOVA Achievements
Molecular dynamics modeling

During the same period, ITAINNOVA has being developing molecular dynamics (MD) models to determine interfacial properties of some of the filler/polymer nanocomposite systems being addressed in the project and also to determine coarse graining (CG) potentials needed for the models in the next level (meso) within the multiscale approach proposed.

The CG potentials for PLA (polylactic acid) , PP (polypropylene) and an epoxy resin and for different graphene fillers have been determined and the activity will continue in the next months with focus in the additional CG potentials needed for the fillers/polymers integration.

Smart by Design and Intelligent by Architecture for Turbine Blade Fan and Structural Components System

The Platform will ensure the ease of communication across all Consortium partners as well as will offer shared access to project documents. This powerful tool was developed by IRES and OSM and enhances knowledge management capabilities for all 18 partners, ease of accessibility to results and monitoring of tests.

The efficient classification of partners’ uploads is possible through Platforms’ integration of Categories Administration tools. Data will not just be uploaded, but also stored under specific tags such as WP, relevant project’s task, scientific domain etc. Via this, Data will be accompanied by Metadata description, making their exploration easier. The DMP Platform is part of the strategy towards making generated Data findable and accessible.

martfan data management 2
Smartfan data management
Smartfan data management 3