Leif Asp, Professor in Lightweight composite materials and structures at Department of Industrial and Materials Science, Chalmers University of Technology, visited RMIT University  and the ATLAS – Innovation Team on 22 July, 2018.

Leif’s research is focused on efficient design methodologies for carbon fibre composite automotive applications. The research relies on more than twenty years’ experience in damage tolerance modelling, design and certification methods for aircraft composite structures. A switch from traditional metal car components and BIW to cars made from composites will require modifications to the design practice used today. Composite design and verification relies on combined virtual and experimental approaches in a so-called building block approach. The experimental test campaign required to complete and verify a composite vehicle is costly. The research in Lightweight composites materials and structures aims to increase analysis capability to allow increased virtual testing, and hence reduce cost related to physical testing. The research will address a wide range of carbon fibre composites, from traditional UD-composites via textile reinforced to short fibre composites, and as such will be relevant for applications outside the automotive sector, e.g. for aero engines and aircraft structures.

“Leif Asp was elected on 23 August as new president of the International Committee on Composite Materials (ICCM), which is the largest organization in the world for information and experience sharing in composite materials. ICCM is an international worldwide organization in the technical and scientific community that deals with composite materials. The mission is to create a forum and work for the exchange of information in all aspects of composite materials and structures that may be of interest to science. At the same time, we want to pay attention to individual achievements in the subject. Every second year, a major conference is held, the International Conferences on Composite Materials, where scientists from all over the world meet.”

(https://www.chalmers.se/en/departments/ims/news/Pages/Leif-Asp-new-president-in-ICCM.aspx)

 

To find out more information on the next ICCM Conference, August 2019, to be held in Melbourne, Australia click here.