Conductive Aerospace Foams
This feasibility study fits within a larger project that aims to develop conductive bio-based foams that act as both structural components and lightning strike protection in aerospace applications. We see two direct benefits
(i) potentially lowering carbon dioxide emissions by 30 times in feedstock production, and
(ii) lowering weight and simplifying manufacturing processes by eliminating metal meshes, which typically do not have any structural function.
In this feasibility study, we will prepare foam samples to obtain baseline data (mechanical, conductivity) from which analysis and material property forecasting can be done. The results, along with thorough literature review, will form the basis for determining whether there is potential for bio-based foams to replace polyacrylamide within high-performance structural parts in aircraft.