SAMPE Journal - May/June 2023 - 34

MARKET & TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW / LIGHTWEIGHT COMPOSITES 75-YEAR HISTORY
Figure 11. Carbon fiber high performance concept car.
Source: Getty Images
We now have significant development
efforts on hydrogen fuel cell technology
that is likely the next wave of systems with
zero carbon emissions for both ground
and aerial transportation. Hydrogen fuel
has less power density that petroleumbased
fuel so again, weight reductions
will be needed to achieve similar ranges
as petroleum-based propulsion systems.
In addition, the hydrogen fuel needs to be
stored in pressure vessels which will require
the high stiffness and light weight of carbon
fiber to make this feasible.
CONSUMER APPLICATIONS
Several companies are developing and
deploying
satellites to provide
internet
connectivity anywhere on the globe. This
is being targeted to several under served
regions of the world and these satellites
will provide internet services where cell
phone towers or fiberoptic systems are
nonexistent or do not provide adequate
coverage. As these systems roll out, there
will be thousands of satellites in space
blanketing the earth and each of these
satellites will require high stiffness and
lightweight carbon fiber. They will also
require rockets to place them in orbit,
and these rockets systems have significant
composite content. Even though the
average consumer will not know about
the role carbon fiber composites play
in their internet connectivity, they are a
key technology that is necessary for the
successful deployment of satellite-based
Internet services.
Another emerging technology for
consumers is package delivery drones.
34 | SAMPE JOURNAL | MAY JUNE 2023
Many of the current online retailers are
developing and deploying drones to do
" last mile " delivery of the products they sell.
The target currently is drones that can carry
a 5-10 pound package and deliver it to your
doorstep. These systems are not possible
without lightweight composites so that
the payload capacity can be maximized.
These drones may only use a few pounds
of composites per drone but as this market
and technology develop, there could be
thousands or even millions of these drones.
Drone delivery testing is occurring in several
locations and has already become a reality
in some countries for medical supply and
emergency delivery services where ground
transportation is difficult and expensive.
CONCLUSIONS
Carbon fiber composites and honeycomb
have had significant impact in the
aerospace, defense, marine, energy, and
consumer product industries (Figures 1011).
With their lightweight, high-strength
and stiffness, and their resistance to
degradation under harsh environments,
composites have been providing air, space,
marine, and land transportation systems
longer range, better performance, and
lower emissions. With the advent of new
platforms such as advanced air mobility
and unmanned systems, composites will
continue to be the structural material of
choice for the next 75 years and beyond.
With increasing applications, the innovative
spirit that launched the production of
carbon fiber, prepregs, and honeycomb
will bring higher performance materials
at lower cost. Innovation in composite
manufacturing will open the door to even
more opportunities for composites to
replace heavier materials. The history of
composites is fascinating, and the future of
composites will bring even greater benefits
to mankind as we propel innovation in
lightweight
structural materials moving
forward.
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SAMPE Journal - May/June 2023

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