References and Research

References

Past research

Process Modeling of the Co-Cure Bonding of Honeycomb Core Sandwich Structures
Funding: NASA;

Role: Co-Investigator

  • Goal: Develop a physics-based model that describes the relationships between material, process and structural quality.

  • Activities:

    • Material characterization of prepreg, film adhesive and core

    • Process analysis and identification of governing phenomena

    • Process model development

Vacuum Infusion of Aerospace Structures: Process Simulations and Experimental Validation
Funding: Airbus Institute for Engineering Research (USC);

Role: Co-Principal Investigator

  • Goal: Improve accuracy of process simulations for vacuum infusions by model development, refinement, and validation

  • Activities:

    • Assessment and improvement of modeling capabilities for commercial codes

    • Lab-scale experimental studies focused on understanding scale-up to complex structures and role of consumable materials

    • Development of process simulation guidelines for industry

Out-of-Autoclave/Vacuum Bag-Only Prepreg Processing Science
Funding: NSF Partnerships for Innovation, M.C. Gill Composites Center, Airbus (previous: USC Stevens Center for Innovation, NSF G8 Materials Efficiency Initiative)

  • Goal: Improve the technical, economic and environmental efficiency of modern manufacturing methods for aerospace structures

  • Activities:

    • Prepreg architecture design and optimization

    • Defect reduction strategies

    • Manufacturing guidelines for complex parts

    • Advanced cure environments (multi-zone heated tools, sensors)

    • Reuse of in-process waste

    • Cost and life cycle assessments

Optimized Materials and Processes for Co-Cured Scarf Repairs of High-Performance Composite Structures
Funding: M.C. Gill Composites Center (previous: C2SI, Department of the Navy)

  • Goal: Develop and demonstrate the use of optimized prepreg architectures and resin systems for co-cured scarf repairs.

  • Activities:

    • Material characterization and down-selection

    • Manufacturing process development

    • Mechanical performance assessments

Liquid Molding of Benzoxazine/Epoxy Resins for High-Temperature Aerospace Applications
Funding: M.C. Gill Composites Center

  • Goal: Investigate and optimize materials and processing for the manufacture of high-temperature composite parts

  • Activities:

    • Novel material characterization methods for volatilizing resins

    • Mechanisms of defect formation during resin transfer molding of high-temperature structural components

    • Process modeling and cure optimization