Solving NDT&E Challenges for the Future of Aerospace Industry

To achieve carbon-neutral status by 2050, the aerospace sector is strongly driven to develop lightweight aerostructures using novel materials and manufacturing techniques. These include metal Additive Manufacturing technologies for pylons and landing gears, Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer structures for wing covers and spoilers, and mixed-mode materials for fuselages. As safety is paramount in the aviation industry, it is a regulatory requirement to assure the quality of safety-critical components. However, the cost of Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation (NDT&E) for such components can be significant, often accounting for a third of the total manufacturing costs. In-service inspection is also a cost and time burden for airlines.

As a result, there is a strong industry pull for automated inspection technologies. However, automated NTD&E of novel aero structures attracts a range of challenges, from sensor deployment to defect detection and characterisation.

Therefore, in collaboration with a major aerospace company this PhD project aims to investigate and address these challenges, unlocking novel technologies to achieve Net Zero targets.