Lightweight design and Composite Technologies

We answer questions regarding the mechanical behaviour of polymers and composites using a range of appropriate experimental and numerical methods.

In order to use polymers and composites in an effective way, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the structural limits of these materials. This requires those involved in the testing process to be well-acquainted with the corresponding experimental and numerical methods for characterising the materials and their components. Whether you would like to replace complex metal structures with composites, take the fracture toughness of composites to extremes or test innovative bonding concepts, we have just the right expert for you.

Selected Projects

Taking waste from the aviation industry to new heights

Researchers at the FHNW have developed a cost-effective and sustainable sole made of recycled carbon fibres for a running shoe by the Swiss sports brand On.

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LiteWWeight®: An innovative multi-material joining technology for sandwich materials

The new technology has reached industrial maturity thanks to the collaboration between MultiMaterial-Welding AG and the Institute of Polymer Engineering at ...

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High Performance Composite Structures for high temperature loads

Development of sustainable and cost-effective fiber composites with demanding temperature and fire resistance.

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Next generation of composite manufacturing using digitalization

To optimize the production of composite materials, FHNW researchers have succeeded in enabling cyber-physical systems to monitor and transfer real production ...

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Additive Fusion Technology for 3D printed CFRP parts

The traditional production of CFRP components is very time-consuming and expensive. The Swiss start-up 9T Labs has therefore developed a new method with which ...

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