Discover Top Posts Tagged with #fiber reinforcement

CWS Computed Wing Sail completes full-scale Airfin350 rigid wing prototype test campaign

SNAPSHOT: The 40-meter CFRP folding wing sail, developed for cargo ship decarbonization, has entered real conditions testing at Nantes-Saint Nazaire Port ahead of a first commercial installation.

CWS –Computed Wing Sail (Montoir-de-Bretagne, France), developer of a patented automated rigid wing sail system for maritime propulsion, has moved its full-scale Airfin350 prototype from assembly to active testing at Nantes-Saint Nazaire Port (France), marking a significant milestone in the technology’s development. According to CWS, the 40-meter Airfin350 prototype recently completed its first on-site test campaign, exposing the structure to real wind conditions on port grounds selected for favorable wind exposure. The wing features an asymmetrical aerodynamic profile — modeled on aircraft wing geometry — combined with a patented folding and inversion system that allows it to tack efficiently while reducing air draft when needed.

Researchers link carbon fiber weakening in aircraft to total moisture content

New research from engineers at Monash University and RMIT has revealed that moisture absorption is the most important factor in how carbon fiber used in aircraft degrades over time. The discovery could help the aerospace industry predict material aging more accurately, improve aircraft maintenance planning, and design longer-lasting composite structures. Carbon fiber reinforced polymers are widely used in modern aircraft because they are lightweight, extremely strong, and resistant to corrosion—but these materials can slowly absorb moisture from the environment during service, gradually weakening from within. The study investigated how different carbon fiber laminate designs aged under a range of hot and humid environmental conditions.

Self-powered composite material detects its own cracks

A new multifunctional composite made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) and piezoelectric materials can use vibrations to self-detect tiny cracks. This material could be used in the aerospace, automotive, and construction industries to monitor structural health without the need for an external power source. The technology was shared in a paper published in the International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials on January 9, 2026. Why a smarter CFRP is needed "CFRP is very strong and light. It's used in airplanes, wind turbines, and other large structures. However, it can fail suddenly when cracks grow inside. Finding these cracks early is difficult and many structures cannot easily use batteries or wired sensors. A self-powered sensing solution is strongly needed," said assistant professor Zhenjin Wang of Tohoku University.

Advanced aerogel composite developed for extreme thermal environments

A research team from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed advanced aerogel composites that integrate high-temperature insulation with mechanical load-bearing capabilities, while also achieving controllable fabrication of large-size samples. The findings were published in Materials Today Energy and the Journal of Materials Research and Technology. As high-performance systems are increasingly deployed in extreme conditions, there is a growing need for insulation materials that are not only lightweight and thermally efficient but also mechanically strong and stable at elevated temperatures. Traditional aerogels, known for their ultra-low density and excellent insulating properties, often suffer from poor mechanical integrity, limited thermal stability, and challenges in large-scale manufacturing—hindering their practical application in demanding environments.

Recycling the unrecyclable: New method reclaims materials from epoxy resins and composites

Epoxy resins are coatings and adhesives used in a broad range of familiar applications, such as construction, engineering and manufacturing. However, they often present a challenge to recycle or dispose of responsibly. For the first time, a team of researchers, including those from the University of Tokyo, developed a method to efficiently reclaim materials from a range of epoxy products for reuse by using a novel solid catalyst. The work has been published in Nature Communications. There's a high chance you are surrounded by epoxy compounds as you read this. They are used in electronic devices due to their insulating properties; clothing such as shoes due to their binding properties and physical robustness; building construction for the same reason; and even in aircraft bodies and wind turbine blades for their ability to contain strong materials such as carbon fibers or glass fibers.

The forest byproduct lignin can play a key role in new sustainable materials

Lignin, a by-product of the forest industry, can be used to produce sustainable materials that can replace traditional plastics. This has been revealed in a research project at the University of Borås in Sweden. Matilda Johansson, holder of a Ph.D. in Polymer Technology, has investigated how lignin can be chemically modified and used in fiber-reinforced biocomposites. The goal was to create materials that can not only replace oil-based products, but also reduce the weight of structures without compromising mechanical properties. The project revolved around four key issues: How can the compatibility of lignin with other substances be improved? How can the modification process be made more efficient and environmentally friendly? How can the mechanical and thermal properties of the material be improved? And how can a fiber be incorporated to further strengthen the material? "There are many unexplored possibilities for lignin. By chemically modifying lignin, it is possible to create a material that has great potential to replace oil-based materials," said Johansson.

A new method to recycle wind turbine blades without using harsh chemicals resulted in the recovery of high-strength glass fibers and resins

A new method to recycle wind turbine blades without using harsh chemicals resulted in the recovery of high-strength glass fibers and resins that allowed Washington State University researchers to re-purpose the materials to create stronger plastics. The innovation provides a simple and environmentally friendly way to recycle wind turbine blades to create useful products. Reporting in the journal, Resource, Conservation, and Recycling, the team of researchers cut the lightweight material that is commonly used in wind turbine blades, called glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP), into approximately two inch-sized blocks. They then soaked the flakes in a bath of low-toxicity organic salt in pressurized, superheated water for about two hours to break down the material. They then re-purposed its components to make stronger plastics.

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are used in the aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment industries. However, their recycling re

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are used in the aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment industries. However, their recycling remains a major problem. In a recent study, researchers from Waseda University demonstrated a novel direct discharge electrical pulse method for the efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly separation of CFRPs to recover high-quality carbon fibers. This work is expected to pave the way for a more sustainable world. The world is hurtling rapidly towards a developed future, and carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) play a key role in enabling technological and industrial progress. These composite materials are lightweight and highly strong, making them desirable for applications in various fields, including aviation, aerospace, automotive, wind power generation, and sports equipment.

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