{"id":253664,"date":"2026-02-17T10:18:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T09:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cimne.com\/?p=253664"},"modified":"2026-02-18T17:10:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T16:10:16","slug":"advanced-aeronautical-lightweight-structures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cimne.com\/ca\/advanced-aeronautical-lightweight-structures\/","title":{"rendered":"Advanced aeronautical lightweight structures"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cimne.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/advanced-aeronautical-lightweight-structures.jpg” alt=”Advanced aeronautical lightweight structures” title_text=”advanced-aeronautical-lightweight-structures” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60%” width_tablet=”60%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Overview” admin_label=”In action” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Experts at CIMNE\u2019s research group CAMMS<\/strong><\/a> (Composites and Advanced Materials for Multifunctional Structures<\/em>) engineer sustainable solutions tailored to industrial needs<\/strong>. Their research tackles one of today\u2019s major transport challenges by developing advanced lightweight structures that reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact<\/strong>, providing support to organisations such as the European Space Agency<\/a> (ESA) and Airbus<\/a>, which often cannot create such designs internally.<\/p>\n

CAMMS advances efficient numerical methods and procedures to characterise and predict the behaviour of composites, advanced materials and large\u2011scale multifunctional structures. These capabilities enable rigorous analysis across the naval, offshore, aerospace, automotive and civil engineering sectors<\/strong>, delivering robust solutions for complex industrial problems.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Topology optimisation” admin_label=”Topology Optimization” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Topology optimisation is one of the most powerful techniques for lightweight structural design<\/strong>, enabling maximum stiffness and strength with minimum material. When combined with additive manufacturing, manufacturability constraints must be incorporated from the earliest design stages, particularly minimum feature size (length scale) and overhang limitations.<\/p>\n

Researchers at CAMMS deliver numerical methods to globally enforce such additive manufacturing constraints, decreasing geometric complexity and promoting boundary orientations<\/strong> that are more suitable for vertical build directions. As a result, designs are easier to manufacture, require fewer support structures, and exhibit improved structural integrity and repeatability during printing.<\/p>\n

\"Topology<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”TOPSAT project” admin_label=”Topology Optimization” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

TOPSAT project<\/strong><\/a> (Ultra-Lightweight CubeSat Chassis Enabled by Anisotropic Topology Optimization of Composite Materials<\/em>) proposes the development of a novel topology optimisation methodology to continuous-fibre composite materials to design a CubeSat chassis structure<\/strong>, including experimental validation. The project is led by Inegi<\/a>, the Portuguese Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, in partnership with CIMNE, and funded by the European Space Agency (ESA<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The project targets significant performance improvements, with expected increases of 20\u201340% in stiffness and 25% in maximum load capacity<\/strong> compared to a composite baseline, and up to 60% mass reduction<\/strong> relative to conventional metallic designs. These advances enable new structural concepts and superior performance, unlocking the development of ultra-lightweight spacecraft structures<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"CubeSat\"<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Features” admin_label=”Topology Optimization” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” module_class=”vertical-align-middle” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/cimne.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ft_1.png” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”af806b56-c48a-46e3-b8da-4bcb6db409b1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” title_text=”ft_1″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Significant mass reduction<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/cimne.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ft_2.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”40px” content_max_width=”80%” content_max_width_tablet=”100%” content_max_width_phone=”100%” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#004996″ header_font_size=”20px” header_line_height=”2rem” body_text_align=”left” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”0px||32px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” icon_color__hover=”#f3921a” header_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” header_text_color__hover=”#f3921a” alt=”Ft” title_text=”ft_2″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

High stiffness and load capacity<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/cimne.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ft_3.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”40px” content_max_width=”80%” content_max_width_tablet=”100%” content_max_width_phone=”100%” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#004996″ header_font_size=”20px” header_line_height=”2rem” body_text_align=”left” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”0px||32px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” icon_color__hover=”#f3921a” header_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” header_text_color__hover=”#f3921a” alt=”Ft” title_text=”ft_3″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Reduced geometric complexity<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/cimne.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ft_4.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”40px” content_max_width=”80%” content_max_width_tablet=”100%” content_max_width_phone=”100%” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#004996″ header_font_size=”20px” header_line_height=”2rem” body_text_align=”left” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”0px||32px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” icon_color__hover=”#f3921a” header_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” header_text_color__hover=”#f3921a” alt=”Ft” title_text=”ft_4″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Additive-manufacturing-ready geometries<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/cimne.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ft_5.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”40px” content_max_width=”80%” content_max_width_tablet=”100%” content_max_width_phone=”100%” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#004996″ header_font_size=”20px” header_line_height=”2rem” body_text_align=”left” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”0px||32px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” icon_color__hover=”#f3921a” header_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” header_text_color__hover=”#f3921a” title_text=”ft_5″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Build-direction-friendly boundaries<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/cimne.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ft_6.png” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”40px” content_max_width=”80%” content_max_width_tablet=”100%” content_max_width_phone=”100%” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#004996″ header_font_size=”20px” header_line_height=”2rem” body_text_align=”left” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”0px||32px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” icon_color__hover=”#f3921a” header_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” header_text_color__hover=”#f3921a” title_text=”ft_6″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Reduced support-material needs<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Applications and Industrial Benefits” admin_label=”Applications” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Spacecraft Structures” image=”https:\/\/cimne.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/app_1.png” image_icon_width=”40px” icon_alignment=”center” content_max_width_tablet=”100%” content_max_width_phone=”100%” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_class=”app-blurb” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#004996″ header_font_size=”16px” body_text_align=”center” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” image_icon_custom_margin=”|||0px|false|false” text_orientation=”center” min_height=”140px” height=”300px” height_tablet=”250px” height_phone=”250px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”0px||32px||false|false” custom_padding=”15px|10px|10px|10px|false|true” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_blurb_image=”margin: 0 0 15px 0 !important;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” icon_color__hover=”#f3921a” header_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” header_text_color__hover=”#f3921a” title_text=”app_1″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Ultra-lightweight chassis and structural subsystems that reduce mass and support higher payload capacity, improving mission flexibility.<\/p>\n

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Machine learning models trained to recognize subtle indicators of distress that may be difficult for human observers to detect.<\/p>\n

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Lower structural mass translates into reduced fuel consumption and environmental impact across aerospace and broader transportation applications.<\/p>\n

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Computationally efficient, manufacturability-aware methods that make advanced optimisation practical for industrial design and production workflows.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Learn More” admin_label=”Industrial Applications” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=”CAMMS research” admin_label=”Our Partners” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_text_color=”#444444″ title_font_size=”24px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” title_text_color__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n