63 TUBAGENS, DEPÓSITOS E HIDROGÉNIO Leiwaco – Tanque leve para hidrogénio líquido • CTC GmbH – Uma empresa Airbus (Alemanha) • Parceiros: Afpt, Argo-Anleg, CompriseTec, DLR, E-Cap Marine, Faserinstitut Bremen, Idva, Institute of Polymer Engineering FHNW, Schunk Kohlenstofftechnik, Suprem e Teijin Carbon Europe. A Leiwaco apresenta um depósito de hidrogénio líquido em material composto que elimina a microfissuração criogénica através de uma combinação de matrizes termoplásticas, design otimizado e processos de fabrico avançados. O projeto foi validado com um demonstrador funcional em escala reduzida. VEÍCULOS FERROVIÁRIOS E INFRAESTRUTURAS Cantilever de via dupla • Composite Braiding Ltd (Reino Unido) • Parceiros: Amey UK, Connected Places Catapult e Bcimo. O protótipo de pórtico duplo para eletrificação ferroviária, fabricado em compósito termoplástico reforçado com fibra de vidro, demonstra uma alternativa leve e sustentável às estruturas de aço. O sistema reduz mais de 80% do peso e até 90% das emissões de CO2 incorporadas. ENERGIAS RENOVÁVEIS Módulo fotovoltaico composto para veículos • Metyx (Turquia) • Parceiros: Itech Solar e Centro de Investigação e Aplicações de Energia Solar da Universidade Técnica do Médio Oriente. This innovation presents a composite propeller designed to exploit the flexibility and tunable mechanical response of fibre-reinforced structures. By optimising fibre orientation, the blade pitch adapts to varying hydrodynamic loads, unlike rigid metallic propellers. Manufactured by RTM to net shape, each blade integrates SHM systems (optical fibres and strain gauges) for real-time condition monitoring and easier maintenance. A lightweight joining design enables underwater blade replacement. Advanced NDI methods were developed for blades with large thickness variations and internal cores, while a continuous composite shield protects leading and trailing edges from impacts. Key benefits: • Fuel saving of 4% with a potential of 15% • Reduction of 25% of needed propulsion power • Real time control of the propeller with SHM Transporte marítimo e construção naval. LeiWaCo - Lightweight tank for liquid hydrogen CTC GmbH – An AIRBUS Company (Germany) www.ctc-composites.de Partners: AFPT GmbH (Germany) Argo-Anleg GmbH (Germany) CompriseTec GmbH (Germany) The German Aerospace Center (DLR) (Germany) E-Cap Marine GmbH (Germany) Faserinstitut Bremen e.V. (Germany) IDVA GmbH (Germany) Institute of Polymer Engineering of the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (Switzerland) Schunk Kohlenstofftechnik GmbH (Germany) Suprem SA (Switzerland) Teijin Carbon Europe GmbH (Germany) The first composite LH2 tank solution to eliminate cryogenic microcracking using a synergistic combination of tailored thermoplastic matrix laminates, design solutions and manufacturing processes. Validated by a functional subscale demonstrator. Liquid hydrogen offers highly efficient energy storage, but CFRP tanks have been limited by cryogenic microcracking at −253 °C. LeiWaCo overcomes this through a holistic solution: a tough thermoplastic matrix with higher cryogenic strain capacity, thinner materials to reduce internal stresses, optimized layups balancing mechanical loads and thermal contraction, and an all-composite liner eliminating CTE mismatch. Implementing these innovations required advances in materials, testing, design, and manufacturing. The project delivers a cryogenically tested subscale demonstrator and a conceptual LH2 logistics container to be presented at JEC World 2026. Key benefits: ● Significant weight and cost savings ● Automated manufacturing ● High resistance to microcracks ● Cross-sector synergies ● Enabling green hydrogen mobility Tubagens, depósitos e hidrogénio. Composite Twin-Track Cantilever Composite Braiding Ltd (UK) www.compositebraiding.com Partners: Amey UK Ltd (UK) Connected Places Catapult (UK) BCIMO (UK) The prototype composite twin-track cantilever (CTTC) engineered and manufactured by Composite Braiding Ltd (CBL) not only demonstrates the viability of using sustainable composite materials in the production of high-volume railway infrastructure but shows clear environmental and economic benefits. This innovation introduces a composite twin-track cantilever (CTTC) built from non-conductive glass-fibre reinforced thermoplastic (PA6) to replace heavy, carbon-intensive steel structures used for railway electrification. Nearly 8m tall and 4.5m wide, it uses adaptable truss components manufactured through a highly-scalable process with braiding and high-speed consolidation at its centre. The semi-automated process yields <2% waste, low energy use, high throughput and future compatibility with recycled materials. The prototype proves that thermoplastic braided composites offer a viable, economical, and sustainable step-change for large-scale rail infrastructure. Key benefits: • A reduction in mass per unit of over 80% • Reduced embodied CO2 emissions by up to 90% • Improved worker safety and possession efficiency • Doubling installation productivity • Lower taxpayer cost for railway electrification Veículos ferroviários e infraestruturas.
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