THE FUTURE OF AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING AND THE ROLE OF ADVANCED MATERIALS

The ongoing fight against climate change coupled with an increasing demand for global air travel is accelerating the need for sustainable solutions in the aviation industry. Tackling this challenge takes many forms, but nearly all of them come back to the materials and related manufacturing processes that are needed to design and build the future aircraft. This presentation will discuss how successes in advanced materials have unlocked today’s most fuel-efficient aircraft. The discussion will also highlight some of the challenges facing aircraft manufacturers today, such as the need to replace older models with more efficient aircraft, as the industry seeks to meet its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The presentation will then delve into the essential role advanced materials play in addressing these challenges, from the manufacturing stage, to in-service considerations, and finally the dismantling and disposal of aircraft. The presentation will touch on a variety of material and related processing technologies the industry is seeking for the future, the barriers that must be overcome to achieve success, and highlight how these new technologies will benefit the future of aviation.