Introduction
When the city of Belfast was honoured by being selected to host the 23rd International Conference on Composite Materials (ICCM23), during ICCM21 in Xi’an, China, in 2017, no one could have foreseen the global disruption and stasis that we would all face as a consequence of a global pandemic, which necessitated postponing this conference by two years. The decision we took in February 2021 to delay the event, having already devoted significant time and resources to its planning, was a difficult one to make. Yet, we faced it with resilience and a steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of our global community.
I am consequently doubly proud to be able to finally deliver this important conference which is the premier conference in the science and engineering of composite materials and structures. The ICCM was established in 1975 and has since been held biennially in different cities around the world. The mission of ICCM is to act as a focal point where the global community of researchers and industry practitioners can come together to exchange knowledge and information on the latest developments in the field. It is also a forum where early career researchers have the opportunity to hear from, and engage with, leading academic and industrypersonnel in the field.
This is the first time that the ICCM has been held on the island of Ireland and it is appropriate that Belfast, with its rich pioneering and engineering heritage, should be chosen to host ICCM23. The birthplace of Lord Kelvin and home to John Boyd Dunlop, Belfast was a global powerhouse of the late Industrial Revolution, becoming Ireland’s pre-eminent industrial city, where the RMS Titanic was built in what was then the world’s largest shipyard. Belfast is home to the oldest production aircraft manufacturer in the world, Short Brothers, which was founded in 1908, purchased by Bombardier in 1989, and acquired by Spirit AeroSystems in 2020. The pioneering technology for the design and manufacture of the highly-integrated resin-infused composite wing, used on the Airbus A220, was developed here. Throughout this conference, and for those fortunate enough to have reserved a place on one of our technical tours, you will have ample opportunity to learn more about the world-leading composite technologies and innovations that are being developed in this part of the world. Today, Belfast is a vibrant, modern and increasingly multicultural city with a solid high-valuemanufacturing base and an entrepreneurial spirit. I trust that you have booked some extra time to explore this unique city and its surroundings.
Advanced (man-made) composite materials have been around for several decades and increasingly utilised in various industries, notably aerospace, elite motorsports, luxury automobiles, wind energy, marine, and in sporting equipment. While there has been astounding headway in the scientific and engineering facets of these composites, notable challenges persist. One of the most pressing concerns involves striking a balance between continued advancements and environmental stewardship. There are ample opportunities yet to be tapped, and breakthroughs to be made, in harnessing composites to tackle the mounting need for energy. As energy generation stands as the main contributor to climate change, the potential to address this issue through further exploitation of composites offers a promising avenue towards sustainable progress.
Consequently, the theme of ICCM23 is Composites at the Heart of Sustainable Energy Solutions. Energy sustainability has become a global priority. The development of renewable energy is a major contributor to the sustainable energy hierarchy, and composites already play an important role in the development of associated technologies and products based on solar, wind, geothermal, tidal or hydropower. At the top of this energy hierarchy is energy saving and energy efficiency. Here composites will continue to play an increasingly important role. New composite materials, defined in their broadest sense, will play a pivotal role in the development of highly energy efficient technologies, products and services and further research into the material’s own sustainability and recyclability suggests that the community still has a number of substantial intellectual challenges ahead.
We have over 1100 delegates registered for this conference; from academia, research institutes and industry, and presenters and authors from over 50 countries across the three ICCM world regions. This should make for an exciting and vibrant meeting of minds!
The full ICCM23 program is printed in this book and is also available on the ICCM23 app and the ICCM23 website. Here you will find information on the conference venue and the location of session rooms, exhibition area, lunch and coffee breaks, and information on our conference sponsors. The ICCM23 conference proceedings contain the full abstract, full paper or PowerPoint presentation, and are accessible through the app or website.
Throughout the conference, updates pertaining to events and practical matters will be communicated digitally through notifications on both our website and the dedicated Conference app. Please also make a habit of checking the digital notice boards located outside each session room to stay informed about any unexpected adjustments to the schedule. Should you require any support during the conference, don't hesitate to reach out to the ICCM23 team. There will be assistants readily available in every session room to provide assistance.
Finally, bringing a conference of this size and scope together, would not be possible without the support of a dedicated team. I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to my Technical Chair, Conor McCarthy, our conference partner, CPI, and the organisation support teams from Queen’s University Belfast and University of Limerick. Thanks also to the UK/Ireland Local Organising Committee, the International Scientific Committee, reviewers, and student volunteers.
Conference Chair
Brian G. Falzon