Top 10 CompositesWorld news items of 2023

Photo Credit: CW

2023 witnessed numerous successes in the composites industry, especially within the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector. Delve into CW’s top 10 news articles, ranked by Google Analytics, to recap the year’s significant events or catch up on what might have slipped your notice.

10. Ford Mustang Dark Horse features Carbon Revolution carbon fiber wheels (February 2023)

Photo Credit: Carbon Revolution

Ford (Detroit, Mich., U.S.) Mustang Dark Horse, a special edition vehicle equipped with innovative carbon fiber wheels — developed by Carbon Revolution — offer a blend of lightweight construction and strength, enhancing the car’s performance and handling. The benefits of these carbon fiber wheels, include improved fuel efficiency, agility and reduced unsprung weight, which contributes to better overall driving experience. This innovation signifies a significant step forward in automotive technology, showcasing the integration of advanced materials to enhance vehicle performance. Read the full news piece.

9. DLR completes MFFD upper shell skin layup (January 2023)

Photo Credit: DLR Institute of Structures and Design

DLR Institute of Structures and Design’s (DLR, Augsburg, Germany) 8-meter-long carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) fuselage skin was achieved via laser-heated in-situ consolidation, with stringers, frames and cleats to be welded. This achievement marks a significant step in creating innovative composite materials for future aircraft designs. The MFFD project aims to explore advanced manufacturing techniques and materials to develop more efficient and lighter aircraft structures, which could potentially reduce fuel consumption and emissions in the aviation industry. Read the full news piece.

Read more about the MFFD: “Manufacturing the MFFD thermoplastic composite fuselage”

8. Archer begins eVTOL manufacturing facility construction (March 2023)

Photo Credit: Archer Aviation

Archer Aviation Inc. (San Jose, Calif., U.S.), a company specializing in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has commenced the construction of its manufacturing facility. This facility will be crucial in producing its eVTOL air taxis designed for urban transportation. The construction marks a significant step forward in Archer’s efforts to bring its electric aircraft to market, contributing to the development of sustainable and efficient transportation solutions for urban mobility. Read the full news piece.

7. JEC Composites presents 2023 Innovation Award finalists (February 2023)

Photo Credit: Fraunhofer ICT

The JEC Composites Innovation Awards honor outstanding projects and collaborations within the composites industry. In the past 25 years, more than 1,900 companies globally have participated. With a focus on collaborative innovation, 214 companies and 527 partners have been recognized for excellent composite innovations and effective teamwork. Awards consider factors like partner engagement, project complexity and commercial promise. Read the full news piece.

6. Hexagon Purus opens new U.S. facility to manufacture composite hydrogen tanks (February 2023)

Photo Credit: Hexagon Group

Hexagon Purus, based in Oslo, Norway, is advancing zero-emission energy storage solutions to combat climate change. A significant step in this endeavor was the inauguration of its new manufacturing facility in Westminster, Maryland, on Jan. 26, 2022. This facility specializes in Type IV composite cylinders for storing compressed gas hydrogen (CGH₂). The company aims to fulfill the rising need for zero-emission mobility and infrastructure systems globally, aligning with increased commitments by governments and industries to address the climate crisis. Read the full news piece.

5. ATLAM combines composite tape laying, large-scale thermoplastic 3D printing in one printhead (April 2023)

Photo Credit: CEAD, TUM LCC

The Technical University of Munich (TUM, Germany) at its Carbon Composites Chair (LCC) facility (Taufkirchen, Germany), has installed the advanced tape layer additive manufacturing (ATLAM) printhead. ATLAM merges continuous fiber-reinforced composite tape laying with large format additive manufacturing. This innovation stemmed from collaboration between CEAD (Delft, Netherlands) and GKN Aerospace (Redditch, U.K.), operating through its subsidiary, GKN Aerospace Deutschland GmbH (GKN Munich, Germany). Read the full news piece.

4. Alef Aeronautics earns FAA approval to launch flying car (July 2023)

Photo Credit: Alef Aeronautics

Alef Aeronautics (Santa Mateo, CA)—a sustainable mobility firm— is creating a composite-focused flying car — a drivable vehicle capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). Alef has recently obtained special airworthiness certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Read the full news piece.

3. McLaren celebrates 10 years of the McLaren P1 hybrid hypercar (March 2023)

Photo Credit: McLaren

McLaren (Woking, UK) marks the 10th anniversary since revealing the production version of the McLaren P1. Unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, this hypercar stands as a milestone for McLaren’s advancement in high-performance hybrid vehicles, highlighted by its latest model, the McLaren Artura. Read the full news piece.

2. Vertical Aerospace eVTOL prototype goes down during uncrewed test flight (August 2023)

Photo Credit: Vertical Aerospace

On Aug. 9, Vertical Aerospace (London, U.K.) conducted an unmanned test flight of its VX4 eVTOL aircraft at Cotswold Airport. Reports indicate the prototype experienced a crash at around 20 feet altitude, showing apparent damage to its wing, as seen in social media images. The company confirmed it was remotely piloted, and fortunately, there were no injuries. Read the full news piece.

1. US Air Force selects Integris Composites ballistic body armor (October 2023)

Photo Credit: Integris Composite

Integris Composites USA (formerly TenCate Advanced Armour in Vienna, Va., U.S.) announced that the U.S. Air Force 582nd Helicopter Group placed the inaugural significant order for its Cratus Wave ballistic armor, introduced a year ago. The company’s hard body armor plates mainly comprise composite materials such as ceramics and high-performance polyethylene, employing trauma reduction technology. Cratus Wave, with patented innovation, has earned certification from the U.S. National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Read the full news piece.