The 2021 Composite Cryotanks VIP team is now full
You can join the Wait-list in case a position on the team becomes available
VIP Snapshot
From aerospace fuel tanks to hydrogen transport, this project will explore the materials and techniques needed to create carbon fibre composite cryotanks. These have been identified as having great potential for space exploration as well as a key enabler for Australia to adopt a zero-emission hydrogen economy.
VIP ChallENG research goals
Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRPs) have revolutionised travel and transport, enabling reliable and safe vehicles at a fraction of the weight of metallic alternatives. This project aims to disrupt one of the remaining strongholds for metallic structures in transport: low temperature tanks for cryogenic liquids such as LH2, LOX and LNG.
If successful, these innovative composite cryotanks will enable affordable and accessible space flight and allow the creation of zero-emission hydrogen vehicles.
The project will examine the following themes:
Low temperature composite materials
- Improving strength and toughness of CFRPs at low temperatures
- Nano-composites and their role in supressing thermal expansion and microcracking of CFRPs
- Low temperature testing and materials characterisation
- Investigating chemical and physical interactions between fluid, liner and CFRP at low temperatures
Modelling and simulating low temperature composite structures
- Mechanics of composite materials and their failure mechanisms at low temperatures
- Cryogenic material property prediction
- Modelling and reducing heat transfer in CFRPs
Advanced manufacturing and finishing processes for composite structures
- Improving composite manufacturing techniques for pressure vessels (i.e. filament winding and automated fibre placement)
- Advanced cutting, trimming and finishing approaches (NC routing, multi-axis waterjet cutting, etc)
Design of cryogenic CFRP vessels
- Design and optimisation of cryogenic CFRP vessels
- Modernising standards and regulations for novel material systems
Research, design or technical ChallENG
The key research and design challenges are:
- Suppressing microcracking failure modes in composites under low temperatures and thermal cycling
- Developing new material models and simulation strategies for low temperature CFRPs
- Predicting mechanical and thermal performance of composite structures under a range of mechanical and thermal conditions
- Developing automated and damage-free machining methods for composite structures
- Optimising cryogenic CFRP vessel design for a variety of common cryogenic liquids and vessel configurations from aerospace fuel tanks to road transport tank containers
Desired Background
All degrees are welcome however, students specialising in the below areas are encouraged to apply.
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