JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #44 - October 2008 - Special Asia - 14

Vibro-acoustic simulation ESI Group’s VA One 2007.5 is the only complete solutions for simulating the response of vibro-acoustic systems across the full frequency range. VA One seamlessly combines finite elements, boundary elements and Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) in one model. This new release introduces two new modules and includes more than 30 major enhancements. The new “VA One: Stress module” is ideally suited for determining the failure of structural components exposed to harsh vibro-acoustic environments. Applications include simulation of acoustic “qualification” testing for composite aerospace components and durability analysis for fixtures and connections. The module seamlessly interfaces with existing structural finite element codes and is fully integrated within the VA One solution process and environment. The new “VA One: Periodic Structure module” is ideally suited for efficiently modelling the vibro-acoustic response of large aerospace, marine and rail structures across a broad frequency range. The module is the result of a twoyear research programme carried out by ESI Group in conjunction with NASA Langley, Virginia Tech and Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The module is fully integrated within the VA One environment and is ideally suited for modelling composite aircraft fuselage constructions, isogrid fairings and extruded train floors. VA One 2007.5 also contains more than 30 major enhancements such as new functionality for modelling perforated panels and perforated noise control treatments. This functionality expands the types of trim materials that can be modelled resulting in more accurate descriptions of sound package and interior noise in automotive, rail and aerospace applications. www.esi-group.com Two new projects run by the Catholic University of Leuven Wheat gluten: from an agroindustrial co-product to bio-based, disposable, high-performance materials. Due to the unusual property of wheat gluten proteins to form a visco-elastic mass upon hydration, wheat flours are suitable for the production of breads, pasta, noodles and cookies. As a coproduct of the wheat starch industry, gluten is available in large amounts at relatively low cost. This, together with its intrinsic properties, makes gluten an ideal renewable candidate for conversion into bio-based, disposable, highperformance materials. However, in terms of thermo-mechanical properties current gluten materials are outperformed by any of the available synthetic polymer materials, commodity plastics included. The current project aims at boosting the gluten polymer performance to meet the mechanical properties typical of high impact polystyrene (HIPS). Besides a thorough investigation on the influence of the individual gluten components on the material properties, recipes will be used that already proved their value in optimizing synthetic polymers. Glutenbased composites with natural fibers will be designed to further increase the stiffness and strength just like cellulose fibers have been reported to do to HIPS. Microcellular polymer nanocomposite for substitution of Balsa wood and PVC core material (NanCore). The principal objective of the NanCore project is to design a novel microcellular polymer nanocomposite foam (MPNC), with mechanical properties allowing for a substitution of Balsa wood and PVC foam as core material for lightweight composite sandwich structures. Today, these two materials are widely used in energy and transport applications. Next generation foam materials, which are to be introduced in the project, combine two conventional groups of materials, i.e. microcellular foams and polymer based nanocomposites, in a hybrid structure. The basic underlying idea is borrowed from natural bone structure, consisting of a bi-continuous network mineralized collagen fibrils embedded in unmineralized organic matrix and voids (cells) normally filled with marrow in vivo. The most promising materials for the project objectives are those based on amorphous polyurethane (PU), crystalline polypropylene (PP), and layered clays and carbon nanotubes as possible nanofillers. The project is funded by the European Commission. Under these two projects, several jobs are available. Contact: Prof. Ignaas Verpoest, Ignaas.Verpoest@mtm.kuleuven.be tel +32-16-32-13-00 fax +32-16-32-19-90 1 subscription form (FREE) www.jeccomposites.com/magazine-subscription = 2 additional sources of informationJEC Composites Magazine / No44 October 2008

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JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #44 - October 2008 - Special Asia

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #44 - October 2008 - Special Asia