The future

Question 1

What is the problem with barely visible damage

Answer 1

• Composites suffer from this

- Means material might be damage but this damage cannot be seen from the outside

Question 2

How might we solve the problem of barely visible damage

Answer 2

• use non-destructive testing techniques during inspection to find problems (this takes time however)
• use smart sensing methods to detect damage
  (electric, optical fibres, acoustic emissions)

Question 3

What is meant by the term ‘central nervous system’ in aircraft

Answer 3

• Proposition that aircraft can continuously monitor every part of itself

Question 4

How might self-healing repair be done

Answer 4

• microcapsule (liquid resin) and catalyst pre-implanted in the material
• vascular (liquid resin) - similar to above
• intrinsic (chemical self-healing in the solid state)

These can heal up to 90-98% of original strength
Require sensing to know where it has been damaged

Question 5

What is meant by adaptive structures

Answer 5

- Means a component that can change its structure without wholes of separate parts. i.e. lift flaps without wholes thereby reducing noise
or controlling lift by:
Thickening wing (increase lift)
Flattening wing (Minimise drag)
Deforming wing (Roll)

Question 6

What are aerogels

Answer 6

• 95% air therefore transfer heat very slowly

- Make gel then dry it very slowly so left with foam structure that is very insulating