Carbon-fibre composites now make up 52-53% of an aircraft's weight, or more than 80% of its volume. Compared with the traditional aluminum alloy material, it can greatly reduce the weight of the aircraft, but make it more brittle.
A generation of materials a generation of airplanes. The invention and application of carbon nanocomposites have brought about a revolution in aviation industry. However, there are still some problems to be solved in the application of this composite material. In addition to poor toughness, the electrical conductivity is also reduced. According to Zhang Zhong, a researcher with the National Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, an airplane has a service life of about 30 years, and on average each plane has to endure one big thunderstorm and lightning. Carbon-fibre composites, which conduct electricity less well than aluminium alloys, are being modified by nanotechnology to make them more conductive in response to the kind of thunderbolt an aircraft might encounter in its lifetime.
"Nanotechnology, as an emerging frontier field of science and technology, is changing mankind's perception of the objective world and will also trigger a new industrial revolution." "Said Liu Minghua, director of the National Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
According to understand, to sign the agreement of both parties will be carried out in addition to the toughening of nanometer materials, conductive nano materials research institute, will also be in more forward-looking self-induction with self-healing composite material and nano health monitoring of composite materials in the fields of cooperation study, explores how to apply advanced nanometer composite technology in the field of aircraft design and manufacturing.