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Contact:

Mari Carmen Juncal Costas

INASMET-Tecnalia

Contact details:

mjuncal@inasmet.es

(+34) 943003700

2008/4/1

A project for composite materials aimed at increasing the safety of aeroplanes

Equipping aeroplanes with greater safety elements is the aim of this new project led by the Aerospace Unit at TECNALIA.

With an initial budget of 3 million euros and the participation of twelve European partners under the leadership of TECNALIA-Aerospace, the Laysa project development involves, on the Spanish side, the Aernnova company (previously Gamesa Aeronáutica) and the Aries Complex (Aricom).

The initiative is projected to last three years and was drawn up with the overall aim of incorporating safety solutions into aircraft. Amongst these are solutions to prevent the formation of ice layers on the wings or surface of the craft and systems that impede the spreading of fire in case of an accident, using inorganic nano-reinforcements and/or carbon ones that, moreover, enhance sensory capacity.

Companies, research centres and universities from the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Switzerland, Greece and Spain are taking part in the Laysa project. The cooperation between the two universities, Cranfield and Lille – leaders in ice and fire technologies respectively – is notable.

The composite materials are characterised by their tenacity and hardness. They are lightweight and compatible, weighing less than metallic materials. Moreover, they are particularly aerodynamic and ideal for aircraft parts and for the design of complex components and structures. Besides, they do not have the corrosion problems that metals have and their use is increasingly common in the aeronautics industry.

Apart from leading and coordinating the project, the Aerospace Unit at TECNALIA will be responsible for characterising and developing the compound materials (nanomaterials: carbon nanotubes and nanofibres etc.) so they have greater and more suitable thermal and electrical conductivity.