Adaptive structures have the ability to change their properties or behaviours in response to their environments. Because of this adaptability, these structures have the potential to considerably reduce the fuel consumed by airplanes (and the resulting emissions). They can do this by improving the planes’ aerodynamic performance. For example, morphing wings can seamlessly and automatically “shape-shift” during flight to minimize aerodynamic drag.

The traditional materials used in aircraft for shape adaptation are never simultaneously lightweight, load-bearing and shape adaptable. As Canada Research Chair in Advanced Manufacturing of Multifunctional Adaptive Structures, Dr. Sampada Bodke is designing and developing multifunctional composites to overcome these limitations. To do this, she and her research team are using additive manufacturing to embed smart materials into structural reinforced polymer composites. Ultimately, by improving engineers’ understanding of shape transformation behaviour and its effect on the structural integrity of aircraft components, their research will lead to better designs for the aircrafts of the future.