Research
CELLCOMP: Data-driven Mechanistic Modelling of Scalable Cellular Composites for Crash Energy Absorption
Principal investigator: | Wei TAN |
Funding source(s): | EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council |
Start: 01-01-2022 / End: 10-04-2025 | |
Amount: £392,388 | |
Directly incurred staff: | Jinlong Fu |
![EPSRC](/content/research/projects/1652/images/ukri-epsrc-square-logo.png)
Moving safely towards net zero
The biggest challenges holding back the shift towards zero emission vehicles are safety concerns, low mileage range and high purchase prices. In terms of safety, the main threat to passengers is the potential for fire or explosion in a crash due to the high levels of energy stored in the batteries or fuel cells of these vehicles.
For this project, Queen Mary researchers form a consortium in collaboration with leading experts from Imperial College London, Delft University of Technology and University of Washington and industrial partners (Q-Flo Ltd and Ultima Forma Ltd) to address the challenges in developing lightweight cellular composites for future zero emission vehicles. Together, the research team will integrate computational modelling and data-driven methods to design the architected cellular composites and ultimately, improve the crashworthiness of future vehicles.
The emergence of cellular composites will deliver enhanced crashworthiness and operational efficiencies of transportation vehicles, which will improve the safety and mileage range of future vehicles. Through this project we aim to bridge solid mechanics, materials engineering and data science to enable rapid discovery, design and prototyping of scalable energy-absorbing materials.
Wider impact
To support this project the researchers will develop a novel data-driven computational design tool for designing crashworthy structures that also has relevance for other sectors including aerospace and rail industries.
The technology developed in this project is also transferable to other sectors, and could benefit researchers working on other porous cellular materials used in applications ranging from thermal insulation foams and battery electrodes, to artificial tissue scaffolds.
Our project will also help to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in engineering design, addressing one of the Grand Challenges outlined by the Government for future UK industrial leadership.