Multi-functional Materials and Structures
Integration of functions on materials level and on structural level can help the creation of more efficient technical solutions for a wide variety of industrial and consumer products. Developments in material science and material design combined with the new possibilities offered by additive manufacturing make the integration of functions feasible and affordable. McNAIR works with academic and industrial partners on processes and materials that enable next levels of multi-functional performance.
Partners Involved:
- HEXCEL
- TenCate Advanced Composites
- Plasmatreat
- Clemson University
Sensing, Actuation and Adaption
The performance of future aerospace structures is expected to benefit from further developments in nondestructive inspection, structural health monitoring, and condition based maintenance. McNAIR is involved in embedded sensing and actuation techniques based on as piezoelectric wafers, printable plastic sensors, and fiber optic sensors in conventional and nonconventional composite structures to reduce or even eliminate scheduled maintenance while at the same time improving safety.
Partners Involved:
- Fokker Aerostructures
- AlphaSTAR Corporation
- TRI/Austin
Mechanics of Materials
McNAIR builds on the extensive legacy of USC in the fields of Experimental Mechanics and Digital Image Processing. The expertise forms a key element for McNAIR’s involvement in fast and informed inspection, in particular in-situ inspection and characterization during manufacturing, and testing of composite parts and assemblies.
Partners Involved:
- Ingersoll Machine Tools
- KUKA Robotics
- Correlated Solutions