Mitigating the effects of explosions and impacts is one of the most important aspects of military technology. This is also becoming a significant design issue in civilian applications due to the increased threat of terrorist activity which has highlighted the vulnerability of vital infrastructure. Ongoing research into improvements of blast and ballistic resistant structures at Imperial College in conjunction with Dstl for air, land and marine applications has shown the potential benefits of introducing novel materials in military platforms. Recent Dstl reports have highlighted potential weight savings and improved performance against weapons effects by incorporating high performance fibres into hybrid composite systems. Hybrid systems are not unusual in nature for improving performance under various dynamic load conditions; the spider's web is probably one of the best examples where up to seven different silks with varying properties are used to optimise the performance of the web.In the last 15 years a large number of new high performance polymer fibres with aligned carbon chains have been developed, which include Aramid fibres (Kevlar, Twaron), polyethylene fibres (Dyneema, Spectre), polypropylene fibres (Curv, Tegris), PBO (Zylon) and PIPD (M5). The main market for these low density fibres with high tenacity is lightweight body armour such as vests and helmets, and in hybrid combination with metals or ceramics, as light weight vehicle armour to protect against ballistic impact.Impact energy is dissipated by wave propagation along the fibres and the controlling materials properties are the tensile wave velocity in the fibres and the specific energy absorbed at failure. High performance polyethylene (HPPE) and polypropylene (HPPP) fibres exhibit excellent values of these important material properties and so are particularly attractive for use in impact protection systems and containment devices. Some of these materials are costly at present due to low volume production. They also lack detailed characterisation under shock loading environments, both at the structure and material level. However, their use on future civil and military platforms needs to be assessed as their potential benefits could significantly improve survivability and overall platform performance. Furthermore, the availability of constitutive material models suitable for advanced numerical modelling are also lacking.Enhancements of existing concepts using these new high performance materials, in a single or hybrid material combination offers the potential to produce a major improvement in impact and blast performance.The overall aim of the project is to deliver these improvements to the performance of composite materials and structures subject to impact and blast.The key objectives are:To investigate the blast and impact behaviour of new composite hybrid systems.To develop advanced structural and material modelling techniques for blast and impact.To characterise the detailed failure behaviour of new composite systems.To determine the Equation of State (EoS) for new materials and hybrids.To develop a new optimisation technique to improve the blast and impact performance of complex hybrid concepts.The programme of work envisaged is ambitious as it will encompass testing and modelling at both the material and the structural level. Initial characterisation tests and smaller scale impact tests will be used to determine the most promising materials and hybrid concept(s) to be taken forward to larger scale blast and impact tests. In parallel new and improved modelling techniques, including damage model development will be investigated in the LS-DYNA and ABAQUS FE code for the materials and hybrid concept(s), which provides the 'best' performance under blast and impact threats. The improved damage models will be validated against the laboratory and larger scale experimental tests performed during the project.

The University of Nottingham have developed a fluidized bed process for recycling carbon fibre composite materials. It's unique feature is that it is capable of processing contaminated and mixed waste from end-of-life components. In this project commercial applications for the carbon fibre recyclate will be developed. The recyclate processing route will be to make non-woven fabrics using technology already demonstrated by the Collaborating Partner and then develop end markets for this material.

NIMRC's research portfolio is at the heart of the national manufacturing agenda and is active in the generation of patents and the construction of full scale demonstrators to enhance technology transfer. The Centre has strong links with industry in a range of sectors including aerospace, automotive, instrumentation, power engineering, steel, textiles and clothing, and consumer product sectors. With the exception of a small number of blue-skies projects, all projects are driven by industrial need. During the past 3 years, the Nottingham Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (NIMRC) has continued to succeed in its stated objectives. By exploiting synergies between themes and research strands within the Centre and with other academic groups and industry outside the Centre, NIMRC has continued to expand its world-leading research portfolio and develop new directions. From a start of 8 principal investigators in the IMRC, this year we have an additional 15 investigators participating in current projects within the portfolio, complemented by 22 researchers and 29 research students. In the past 3 years, 9 students have been been awarded a PhD and another 7 are currently submitting their dissertations.The quality, timeliness and novelty of NIMRC's research is highlighted by its publication record. Since the Centre began, staff have published widely in peer review journals and presented at prestigious international conferences.The IMRC status has attracted a wider research community both in the University and without. The NIMRC continues to develop strategic partnerships with research groups outside the University and include many internationally recognised centre's of manufacturing excellence. The Centre also has strong links with other IMRCs. Already, NIMRC has collaborative research projects with Warwick, Bath, Cranfield and Loughborough IMRCs. NIMRC is also participating in the Grand Challenge 3D Mintigration related to the economic Manufacture of 3D Miniaturised Devices . NIMRC has made excellent progress during the last 3 years towards its stated objectives. It believes that the future research strategy it has developed will continue to address both the immediate and longer term needs of the manufacturing industry and it looks forward to providing the enabling research needed to improve the competitiveness of UK plc. The importance of NIMRC's world-class research is demonstrated in the composition of the Industrial Advisory Board which includes 20 senior industrialists from well established UK manufacturing sectors. The Board is impressed with the work of the Centre and the rapport with the Board of PIs. Board members have their own examples of how their company has benefited from the work of the NIMRC. In summary, Rolls-Royce and the Industrial Advisory Board fully support the activities of the NIMRC and will continue to do so. Chair of NIMRC Industrial Advisory Board, Mr Stephen Burgess, Manufacturing Process and Technology Director, Rolls-Royce Plc.