Research Projects

The carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite is widely used in the aerospace and automobile industry due to its high specific mechanical properties and electrical and thermal conductivity in-plane directions. However, its out-of-plane properties are poor, dominated by low strength and poor electrical and thermal conductivity. The development of smart materials and intelligent structures with improved properties and functionalities is crucial for global challenges and improving society's quality of life. The automotive industry requires lightweight construction materials to reduce carbon footprints and conserve resources. The in-plane mechanical and conductive properties of CFRP are greater than the out-of-plane directions, but these are still poor. To address this, researchers are working on using conducting polymers as a matrix for CFRP in various research institutions, such as The University of Tokyo, JAXA, and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. In India, NPL is working to improve the through plane properties of CFRP by introducing carbon nanomaterials.