Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Smart Composites: Materials and Applications

In course

MSE-440: Composites technology

The latest developments in processing and the novel generations of organic composites are discussed. Nanocomposites, adaptive composites and biocomposites are presented. Product development, cost analysis and study of new markets are practiced in team work ...

Description

This lecture introduces the concept of smart composites, which incorporate sensors and actuators to adapt to the environment. It covers the classification, types, and applications of smart composites, including examples like self-sensing high-pressure H2 storage vessels and active skis. The lecture also discusses the integration of shape memory alloys in composites, challenges faced, and the design considerations for SMA composites. Various examples and case studies are presented to illustrate the principles and potential applications of smart composites in different fields.

This video is available exclusively on Mediaspace for a restricted audience. Please log in to MediaSpace to access it if you have the necessary permissions.

Watch on Mediaspace

Instructors (3)

Véronique Michaud

Background: 1994 Habilitation à diriger des recherches ( INPG, France) 1991 PhD in Materials Engineering ( MIT, USA) 1987 Ingénieur Civil des Mines ( Ecole des Mines de Paris, France) Activities: Since January 2018: Associate Dean of Engineering, in charge of Education June 2012-Dec.2017: Head of the Materials Science and Engineering Section Since April 2017: Associate Professor at EPFL 2009-2017 : Professeur Titulaire at EPFL 1997-2009: Researcher at EPFL 1994-1997 : Chef de Travaux au laboratoire MSS-MAT, Ecole Centrale Paris (France) 1991-1994 : Post-doctoral research associate, MIT (USA) Author of about 300 publications of which 140 in peer-reviewed journals

Martyn Douglas Wakeman

Dr. Martyn Wakeman is a seasoned professional in advanced composites with a proven record of 20 yrs, spanning academia and global corporations. He has worked in M&A deep dive projects in the Advanced Composites Space and has a proven publication (80 ) and patent (30) history in the development of continuous fibre thermoplastic composites from formulation, processing, to applications. He is currently attached at 50% to the Laboratory for Processing of Advanced Composites at the EPFL focused on 3D printing and advanced composites and also available as an independent consultant. Prior to this role he worked at DuPont from 2007-2016 in Geneva, Switzerland where he worked to drive the development strategy and led research of the DuPont Vizilon thermoplastic composites offer including continuous carbon and glass reinforced composites. From 1997 to 2007 he was a Scientific Collaborator at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, EPFL, in which he was Head of the Composite and Polymer Laboratory's "Industrial implementation group", located in the EPFL science park, focused on the automotive industry both in Europe and North America. He has a PhD in mechanical engineering focused on composites.

Pierre-Etienne Bourban

Background 1990 Ingénieur en science des matériaux 1993 PhD in materials science Activities 1993-1994 Research at the Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware, USA (ccm.udel.edu), SNSF grant Since 1994 Research and teaching at EPFL, Composites, (LTC, LPAC) 1995-1999 Coordination Swiss Priority Program on Materials research: 2.2: Composites Since 1998 Biocomposites 2004-2009 Direction of the EPFL Transdisciplinary programme in Sport and Rehabilitation 2005-2008 Member of the EPFL Vice-Presidency for Innovation and Valorisation and direction a.i.EPFL-LTC Since 2016 Direction Discovery Learning Labs Materials/Bioengineering and Engineering

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Composite material

A composite material (also called a composition material or shortened to composite, which is the common name) is a material which is produced from two or more constituent materials. These constituent materials have notably dissimilar chemical or physical properties and are merged to create a material with properties unlike the individual elements. Within the finished structure, the individual elements remain separate and distinct, distinguishing composites from mixtures and solid solutions.

Shape-memory alloy

In metallurgy, a shape-memory alloy (SMA) is an alloy that can be deformed when cold but returns to its pre-deformed ("remembered") shape when heated. It is also known in other names such as memory metal, memory alloy, smart metal, smart alloy, and muscle wire. The "memorized geometry" can be modified by fixating the desired geometry and subjecting it to a thermal treatment, for example a wire can be taught to memorize the shape of a coil spring.

Materials science

Materials science is an interdisciplinary field of researching and discovering materials. Materials engineering is an engineering field of finding uses for materials in other fields and industries. The intellectual origins of materials science stem from the Age of Enlightenment, when researchers began to use analytical thinking from chemistry, physics, and engineering to understand ancient, phenomenological observations in metallurgy and mineralogy. Materials science still incorporates elements of physics, chemistry, and engineering.

Actuator

An actuator is a component of a machine that is responsible for moving and controlling a mechanism or system, for example by opening a valve. In simple terms, it is a "mover". An actuator requires a control device (controlled by control signal) and a source of energy. The control signal is relatively low energy and may be electric voltage or current, pneumatic, or hydraulic fluid pressure, or even human power. Its main energy source may be an electric current, hydraulic pressure, or pneumatic pressure.

Valve actuator

A valve actuator is the mechanism for opening and closing a valve. Manually operated valves require someone in attendance to adjust them using a direct or geared mechanism attached to the valve stem. Power-operated actuators, using gas pressure, hydraulic pressure or electricity, allow a valve to be adjusted remotely, or allow rapid operation of large valves. Power-operated valve actuators may be the final elements of an automatic control loop which automatically regulates some flow, level or other process.

Related lectures (52)

Flexible Probes: Mechanics and Design

Explores critical strain, bending mechanics, and strain calculation in flexible probes.

Chemistry: Atomic Structure and Thermodynamics

Covers atomic structure, thermodynamics, material properties, and ideal gas law.

Fracture and Toughness of Materials

Explores fracture, toughness, and crack propagation in materials, emphasizing surface energy and material resistance.

Fatigue: Material Response to Repeated Stress

Explores how materials respond to repeated stress cycles, leading to potential rupture and the distinction between high-cycle and low-cycle fatigue.

Normal Stresses: Internal Stress and Strain