Research

Composite pipes are increasingly used in the oil and gas industry, replacing traditional carbon steel pipes. The main reason is that composite pipes have better corrosion resistance than steel pipes.

The first composite alternatives to steel pipes consisted of composite pipes based on a thermoset matrix.  However, the growing demands of the oil and gas industry, including high temperature resistance as well as damage resistance and flexibility, often exceed the capabilities of thermoset materials.

Because thermoplastics can meet these needs, several types of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic piping (RTP) systems are currently being developed.

As oil and gas production continues to penetrate into the ocean, flexible risers, as the connector between the ocean oil and gas channel and the sea surface, will face greater problems in practical applications.

Composite materials are being considered to replace steel in unbonded flexible pipe to successfully meet the lightweight and high-strength criteria for ultra-deepwater oil and gas production. Fibre-reinforced materials replace steel for tensile armor and have a greater strength-to-weight ratio.

The need for recyclable wind turbine blades stems from environmental concerns, regulatory requirements, resource conservation goals, and the desire to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the wind energy industry in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

We create wind turbine blades by developing recyclable composites and infusing them directly.

And build a recycling process using the finished blade. 

 Steel rebar can erode in 7 years, while plastic rebar can endure over 10 years, indicating potential durability advantages for plastic rebar in construction.

Thermoplastic rebar's bendability makes it a versatile alternative to steel rebar, offering flexibility in construction projects.

 The use of thermoplastic rebar could represent an advancement over steel rebar, potentially leading to reduced maintenance and longer lifespan.

Automated Tape Laying (ATL) technology was developed in response to the aerospace industry's need for lightweight and strong materials. It emerged in the late 20th century as a solution to the limitations of manually laying composite materials, like carbon fiber and fiberglass, which are known for their high strength and low weight. 

ATL uses robots and computer control to precisely place composite tape on molds, enabling the production of complex shapes with consistency and speed.

Over time, ATL expanded from aerospace to other industries like automotive, where lightweight components are essential for fuel efficiency. Ongoing advancements continue to improve this technology's precision and efficiency, making it a vital part of advanced manufacturing.

Traditional model ships used for hydrodynamic analysis of existing ships are crafted from wood, resulting in a time-consuming test model production process.

To expedite and enhance the manufacturability of models for hydrodynamic testing, they are now produced using 3D printing with short fibers.

Both the mechanical analysis techniques and manufacturing technology for test models produced by 3D printing have been successfully developed and verified.