This paper presents a review and analysis of current non-destructive failure detection methods of composite materials and a brief outline of the build of a bamboo bicycle which has been used as a development platform and test bed for the initial development of a novel and practical nondestructive failure detection solution, which has future compatibility for carbon-fibre (CF)-based bicycles. The paper begins by presenting the current market condition of composite materials and in particular, CF and CF-reinforced plastic, and then follows onto failure modes and proceeds to investigate a comprehensive range of failure detection methods. ARTICLE HISTORY

No abstract

No abstract

In this work, a self-assembled surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor based on an optofluidic microstructured hollow fiber (MHF) integrated composites of graphene oxide (GO), silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), and 4mercaptophenylboronic acid (4-MPBA) as a glucose detection device was proposed. This SERS substrate is specific to glucose and grows on the outside of the core of MHF. Here, the MHF has a microchannel, where a suspended core was attached. In the microchannel, the trace sample solution was interacted with the SERS substrate, realizing the Raman online sensing detection of trace cerebrospinal fluid glucose. In the range of 0.5−10 mmol/L, the results present that detection of the glucose concentration shows good linearity without external interference. Meanwhile, this type of rapid, online, and label-free SERS sensor of glucose shows the ability to detect excessive glucose content in the actual cerebrospinal fluid environment of the Sprague−Dawley rats, providing a simple detection method for meningitis, meningeal multiple malignant tumor metastasis, and related diseases caused by abnormal glucose content in cerebrospinal fluid.

No abstract

This paper describes an open circuit voltage (OCV) prediction technique for lithium cells. The work contains an investigation to examine the charge and mixed state relaxation voltage curves, to analyse the potential for the OCV prediction technique in a practical system. The underlying principal of the technique described in this paper employs a simple equation paired with a polynomial to predict the equilibrated cell voltage after a small rest period. The polynomial coefficients are devised by the use of curve fitting and system identification techniques. The practical work detailed in this paper was conducted at the Centre for Automotive and Power System Engineering (CAPSE) battery laboratories at the University of South Wales.The results indicate that the proposed OCV prediction technique is highly effective and may be implemented with a simple battery management system.

No abstract

The paper describes a novel method for the detection of damage in carbon composites as used in drone frames. When damage is detected a further novel corrective response is initiated in the quadcopter flight controller to switch from a four-arm control system to a three-arm control system. This is made possible as a symmetrical frame is utilized, which allows for a balanced weight distribution between both the undamaged quadcopter and the fallback tri-copter layout. The resulting work allows for continued flight where this was not previously possible. Further developing work includes improved flight stability with the aid of an underslung load model. This is beneficial to the quadcopter as a damaged arm attached to the main body by the motor wires behaves as an underslung load. The underslung load works are also transferable in a dual master and slave drone system where the master drone transports a smaller slave drone by a tether, which acts as an underslung load.