Aerospace engineering articles within Communications Materials

Featured

• Review Article
  30 August 2023 | Open Access

  Multiscale mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations of the durability of fiber-reinforced polymer composites

  Fiber-reinforced polymer composites have found widespread use in critical engineering applications. Here, the use of simulations to understand the mechanical durability of polymer composites across a range of length scales is reviewed, with a focus on molecular dynamics simulations.

  • Kui Lin
  •  & Zhanlong Wang

• Article
  05 April 2022 | Open Access

  Multilayers for directed energy accelerated lightsails

  Lightsails accelerated by ground-based laser arrays are a candidate technology to send probes into deep space in a timeframe compatible with human life. Here, an optimization study identifies the most promising multilayer structures that maximize propulsion efficiency, thermal stability, and mechanical stiffness.

  • Giovanni Santi
  • , Giulio Favaro
  •  & Maria G. Pelizzo

• Article
  04 November 2021 | Open Access

  Heterogeneous origami-architected materials with variable stiffness

  Origami-inspired metamaterials are attractive for their programmable shape-shifting properties but are typically characterized by low structural rigidity. Here, 3D heterogeneous origami structures display highly reconfigurable mechanical properties, including finely controllable and reversible stiffness variation.

  • Yasuhiro Miyazawa
  • , Hiromi Yasuda
  •  & Jinkyu Yang