ATHENS
Assembly Technologies for Hybrid structurEs of Natural fiber compositeS
ATHENS is an integrated collaboration between the different regions of Flanders, Wallonia and France, researching different joining techniques of biodegradable thermoplastic composites and drawing up a demonstration model to transfer this information to industry.
The project
The use of fiber-reinforced plastics enables manufacturers in the transport sector and automotive to build light, yet very stiff and strong (sandwich) structures. This is in line with the evolution towards minimizing vehicle weight and maximizing payload, for both freight and passenger transport. This is clearly part of an overarching effort to reduce the ecological footprint of transport.
Not only the optimal technical performance of lightweight structures contributes to their ecological sustainability, but also the basic materials used and the production processes used. In this respect, natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic plastic structures offer a solution that is both technologically (performance) and ecologically attractive.
Project news
SAMPE Europe conference
The SAMPE Europe conference took place in the week of November 14-17, 2022. As a selected candidate during the SAMPE Benelux student seminar earlier this year, the work within the ATHENS project was presented during the student seminar.
Participation in the Adhesion 2022 conference
KU Leuven participated in the Adhesion 2022 conference that took place in the Technology & Innovation center of the University of Strathclyde's in Glasgow (UK).
Poster presentation at the '6ème colloque fibers naturelles et polymeres'
On September 14-15, the '6ème colloque fibers naturelles et polymères' took place at the Center de Congress de l'Aube at Troyes. Here the work within the ATHENS project within KU Leuven in connection with characterizing the bio-fibre filled composites presented by means of a poster presentation.
