Abstract : Research and development (R&D) in advanced materials technology is being driven within the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) by requirements to enhance safety and survivability of platforms and personnel, along with requirements for enhanced maintainability and operability of platforms. The R&D in advanced materials is aimed at program delivery across the capability life-cycle. This paper focuses on advanced materials research in the forward-looking enabling R&D domain where the intersection of key technologies in areas such as nano and microtechnology, biotechnology, stealth materials, smart materials and structures, and energy generation and storage is being explored. The paper presents three innovative projects which illustrate the range of technologies being addressed under the leading-edge DSTO Corporate Enabling Research Program (CERP) on Signatures, Materials and Energy. The enabling R&D projects outlined in this paper range between technology readiness levels from a program in smart sensors for structural health monitoring which is currently transitioning to field application, to longer-term, leading-edge development based on electromaterials for biomimetic actuation. A feature of each of the projects is strong external leveraging beyond DSTO to deliver challenging interdisciplinary S&T.
Abstract : The Institute for Science and Engineering Simulation (ISES), at the University of North Texas, has developed and applied novel materials characterization, modeling, and simulation tools to aid in the future inspection, repair and design of improved materials and processes for aerospace applications. Specifically, the program has aided in establishing the fundamental understanding required to support safety engineers in their ability to upgrade and maintain the Air Forces aging fleet by predicting material performance and structural integrity using principles based on mechanics and deformation of materials. This multifunctionality necessitates a strong coupling between structural performance and other functionalities such as electrical, magnetic, optical, thermal, biological, chemical, and so forth. Structural integrity includes durability, survivability, reliability, and maintainability. ISES thus focused on developing new design and performance criteria involving material science, mechanics, physics, and chemistry to model and characterize the processing and performance of multifunctional materials and microsystems at multiple scales from atoms to the continuum. This large-scale multi-year project focused on three principal thrust areas, developed based on the interests of AFRL. The major accomplishments of each of these tasks have been described in detail in this report.
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