HARVEST

HARVEST will combine bio-inspired hierarchical TEG-carbon fiber (CF) reinforcements with novel 3R thermoset matrix systems (Repair-Recycle-Reprocess technology) to get multifunctional TEG-enabled structural composite materials for the Aeronautics sector.

To do so, HARVEST project will release the potential of breakthrough technologies via the development of i) Structural composites, comprised of hierarchical carbon fiber reinforcements and thermoset 3R epoxy matrix with TEG and self-repair capabilities, ii) Autonomously TEG-driven integrated systems for on- and offline structural health monitoring (SHM) and iii) Wired and low-power wireless SHM data transmission and mining system. The innovative intelligent materials and parts will be manufactured in purposefully developed pilot lines aiming at reducing production time and costs.

To achieve the project’s global targets, HARVEST consortium has stablished the following main specific objectives (SO):

– SO1: Development of multifunctional composite materials with biomimetic hierarchical TEG-enabled CF reinforcements by R2R deposition of nanoparticle (NP) based inks aiming at a Seebeck Coefficient of (S) >50µV/K for p-doped and <-40µV/K for n-doped structures.
– SO2: Manufacturing of Smart 3R (Repairable, Reprocessable, Recyclable) nano-modified polymeric matrices with self-sensing and self-repairing capabilities, containing different amounts of carbon NPs and/or traditional inorganic thermoelectric particles.
– SO3: Enhancement and optimization of the TEG performance using advanced analytical and numerical tools to simulate materials performance at a range of length scales (micro, meso, macro). Identification of hot spots with the desired temperature gradients.
– SO4:Manufacturing of TEG-enabled laminated multifunctional composite structures (8 and 16 plies) with optimized number of p-n serially interconnected laminae. Evaluation of multi-functionality and TEG performance atlaminate level.
– SO5: Design, development and integration of an electronic system (software & hardware) responsible for managing the energy harvesting, structural health monitoring (SHM) data accumulation and transmission, during the implementation/operation of the multifunctional materials in structural components.
– SO6: Manufacturing of two Aeronautics Demonstrators and validation of the multifunctional capabilities under operational simulated environments.

Partnership:

Coordinated by the Composite and Smart Materials (CSM) Lab of the University of Ioannina, HARVEST project gathers 11 partners from six European countries: Industries, SMEs and Universities with deep knowledge and experience in the fields of nanomaterials and inks (CSM Lab-Greece, NANOCYL-Belgium), TEG-enabled textile reinforcements and composites (CSM Lab-Greece, IVW-Germany), multiscale modelling (University of Padova-Italy), smart thermoset matrices (3R technology) with self-repairing functionality (CIDETEC-Spain), structural component developers & manufacturers (CARBURES-Spain, B&T-Greece, TELETEL-Greece), Aeronautics end-user industry (SONACA-Belgium).

Our role:

Regarding specific topics, CIDETEC will lead the work package focused on Specifications, with the aim to define the roadmap toward the development of hierarchical biomimetic TEG-enabled composite parts, on one hand; the work package related to the Dissemination, Exploitation & Communication Activities, on the other hand.

Apart from this WPs leader role, CIDETEC is in charge of several key technical tasks and activities, including:

– Formulation of 3R resins for aerospace composites.
– Tuning of 3R resins electrical and thermal conductivity properties, through the addition of graphitic nanoparticles.
– Fabrication and characterization of 3R aerospace composites with thermoelectric properties.
– Development of 3R composite repairing process.
– Support the partners regarding 3R technology.