BURA Collection: Brunel Composites Centre (BCC) sits between the knowledge base and industry, supporting partners in industry by transfering academic research in novel composites processing and joining technologies into industrial application.

Smart Graphene‐Integrated PCL/COC Ternary Nanocomposites for Enhanced Mechanical Strength and Antibacterial Functionality

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Smart Graphene‐Integrated PCL/COC Ternary Nanocomposites for Enhanced Mechanical Strength and Antibacterial Functionality Authors: Riaz, Zakia; Ud Din, Israr; Khan, Kamran A Abstract: The development of multifunctional polymeric nanocomposites possessing high mechanical strength, thermal stability, and broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity is of significant interest for advanced biomedical and soft robotic applications. In this study, smart PCL/COC/GNP ternary nanocomposites were prepared via a facile and scalable solution‐casting method. Incorporation of 10 wt.% COC (cyclic olefin copolymer) into PCL poly(ε‐caprolactone) imparted enhanced stiffness and dimensional stability, while graphene nanoplatelets (0.5 and 1.0 wt.%) introduced hierarchical reinforcement and antibacterial functionality. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed a substantial increase in storage modulus from ∼250 MPa (PCL) to ∼380 MPa (PCL/COC/GNP‐2) and in loss modulus from ∼12 to ∼39 MPa, demonstrating improved viscoelastic behavior. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed enhanced thermal stability with delayed degradation onset. The composites exhibited rapid one‐way shape memory recovery and broad‐spectrum antibacterial efficacy against both Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram‐negative Escherichia coli, highlighting their potential as mechanically robust, thermally stable, and antimicrobial smart materials for next‐generation biomedical and adaptive structural systems. Description: Data Availability Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Environmental and Economic Assessment of an Embedded Photonic Sensor System for Composite Manufacturing Monitoring

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT
Title: Environmental and Economic Assessment of an Embedded Photonic Sensor System for Composite Manufacturing Monitoring Authors: Cui, Xiaofei; Zitoun, Akram; Omairey, Sadik Abstract: The increasing use of embedded sensing technologies in composite manufacturing requires assessment of their economic and environmental implications alongside their functional performance. This study presents an integrated environmental and economic assessment of a photonic-based embedded sensor system developed for real-time monitoring of composite manufacturing processes. The sensor enables in situ monitoring of key process parameters during sensor manufacturing. A combined life cycle costing (LCC) and life cycle assessment (LCA) framework was developed to evaluate the sensor system during prototype fabrication and industrial scale-up. The economic assessment employed a hybrid bottom-up and activity-based costing approach, while the environmental assessment was conducted using GaBi software in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. The results identified labour-intensive assembly and post-processing stages as the dominant cost contributors, while PIC fabrication and post-processing showed the highest environmental impact and energy demand. The study further demonstrates that production cost and commercial viability are strongly influenced by learning curve behaviour, labour rates, and automation strategies. Opportunities for reducing environmental impact through process optimisation and scalable production are also identified. Overall, the work provides a framework for assessing the scalability, economic feasibility, and environmental performance of emerging photonic sensing technologies for composite manufacturing applications. Description: Data availability: No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Waveguide Method for Surface Impedance Measurements on Composite Material Substrates

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT
Title: Waveguide Method for Surface Impedance Measurements on Composite Material Substrates Authors: Fakis, Dimitrios I; Worrall, Chris; Kazilas, Mihalis Abstract: A novel method has been introduced for measuring the surface impedance of composite material sheets at microwave frequencies. A length of circular waveguide is manufactured using the fibre-reinforced composite material and its scattering parameters are measured with the use of a network analyser (VNA). An iterative simulation method is subsequently used for the derivation of the surface impedance of the composite based on altering the impedance boundary condition on the walls of a precise model of the waveguide, as manufactured, until the simulation results for its scattering parameters match the experimental values.

Visualizing pseudo‐ductility in carbon/glass fiber hybrid composites manufactured using infusible thermoplastic Elium® resin

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Title: Visualizing pseudo‐ductility in carbon/glass fiber hybrid composites manufactured using infusible thermoplastic Elium® resin Authors: Khan, T; Ali, MA; Irfan, MS; Cantwell, WJ; Rehan, U Abstract: In this study, two different type of glass and carbon fiber hybrid laminates were manufactured using a low-viscosity thermoplastic resin that is, Elium®. A detailed microstructure visualization study was conducted using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) analysis. The viscoelastic properties were examined through dynamic mechanical analysis. The mechanical performance was investigated through flexural and tensile tests along with a fractographic study using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The XCT analysis revealed a weak interface between the Elium® resin and the glass fabric, with glass fiber specimens exhibiting a void content of 1.24%, in contrast to the carbon fiber specimens which showed void content of only 0.28%. Therefore, adding glass fabric layers in the hybrid laminates increased the void content, which had a negative impact on the overall mechanical performance. The average flexural strength of the hybrid specimen having G₂C₄G₂ stacking sequence was observed to be 254% higher than pure GFRPC specimens. Similarly, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the same hybrid specimen showed 155% and 380% increases, respectively, compared to the GFRPC specimens. This increase was primarily due to higher stiffness of the carbon fibers and their better fiber – matrix interface. Whereas the tensile strain of the hybrid specimen having G₃C₂G₃ stacking sequence was 37% higher than that of the CFRPC specimens. The SEM images highlighted fiber fracture and brittle failure modes in the carbon fiber specimens, in contrast to fiber pullout, interfacial failure, poor fiber-matrix bonding and ductile failure modes in the glass fiber specimens. Description: Data Availability Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.