Student Research Projects

Lockheed Martin - CSU Partnership Program

Research Proposal

CSU Campus: San Diego State

Professor: Dr. James Burns

Department: Mechanical Engineering

E-Mail Address: jburns@mail.sdsu.edu

Mailing Address:

5500 Campanile Drive

San Diego, CA 92182-1323

Phone Number: 619.594.6076

 

Department's Primary Research Focus

Within the Manufacturing Program Option: Agile Manufacturing

Department's Secondary Research Focus

Within the Manufacturing Program Option: Composite Material Science

Project Proposal Abstract:

Resin transfer molding (RTM) of composite structures is generally limited to net membrane areas of less than 20 sq. feet. This is about the maximum size that can be made using a single polymer injection site and shop pressure. Multiple injection sites usually lead to voids as the multiple flow fronts come together. Poor flow-front control has been identified as the major technical hurdle to Large-scale RTM in applications such as civil infrastructure by Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, PI of UCSD's DARPA funded program on all-composite bridges. Control of individual flow fronts could permit much larger structures to be fabricated using RTM. The proposed work will develop a new approach to RTM that uses multiple injection fronts and autoclave over-pressure to produce larger structures from higher-viscosity resins using less-expensive tooling. In addition, active methods of controlling the advancing flow fronts will be refined to enhance RTM quality.

Name of Student: Christian Deschenes

Project Duration: One year

Project Output: Depending on level of support: reports, demo structural articles, functional prototype device, patent considerations.