CDE enduring challenge competition presentation on materials and structures from 24 June 2014 Innovation Network event in Cardiff

1. MAST STC
Materials And Structures Technology
Science & Technology Centre
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Professor Ian Youngs
Project Technical Authority
Physical Sciences Department
Porton Down
maststc@dstl.gov.uk
www.dstl.gov.uk/maststc

2. Contents
• What is MAST
• Who delivers research for MAST
• Technical scope
• Link to military capability
• The challenges
UK OFFICIAL© Crown copyright 2013 Dstl
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Programme vision
“MAST is the recognised hub for exploiting global
investment in state of the art materials and structures
science for enhanced defence and security capability.”
Future proofing that from which defence equipment is made!
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Community: Defence Materials Forum
“MAST STC is now a shining example of how
Dstl is acting as S&T agent for MOD”
• 73 Members
– Industry
– Academia
• Capability database
• £7.2M invested FY14/15
• 90% EMR
• ~60 tasks contracted

5. Programme structure
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Programme management
and strategic direction
Elements delivered by industry and academia
Low observable
materials
Advanced materials
and structures
Core research programme
Innovation programme
Studentship
programme
Affordable (air)
structures
Maritime structures
Related programmes
Whilst the programme is led by Dstl, more than 90% of all funding is
spent with industry and academia.
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Low observable materials
• Radar absorbing materials
• Infrared/visible camouflage technology
• Vibro-acoustic materials
• Metamaterials

7. Advanced materials & structures
• Metals and Ceramics
• Polymers and Composites
• Multifunctional Materials
• Through Life Capability Management
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8. UK OFFICIAL© Crown copyright 2013 Dstl
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Challenges: Materials unlocking capability
• Performance
• Availability
• Cost
• Future proof

9. Mapping MAST to capability
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10. Mapping MAST to capability
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11. Mapping MAST to capability
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12. Micro and nano to macro scale science in an
application context – e.g. accounting for platform
assembly not just materials performance
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Credit: TATA Steel
Credit: University of Cambridge

13. Accelerate progress: working with industry
to make new materials at scales that enable
testing under realistic conditions
• Spark Plasma Sintering
• Kennemetal Ltd
• e.g. Affordable titanium
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Credit: Wales Online
Credit: Sheffield University

14. In-service performance: maintenance and
repair, costs of corrosion and bio-fouling
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15. Unlocking new sub-system capability from
emerging technology (e.g. metamaterials)
• Novel physics
• New design & fabrication paradigms
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Credit: MIMiCRA Project led by BAE Systems, EADS IW
Credit: Queen Mary University, BAE Systems

16. World class, state of the art computational
materials science and experimentation
e.g. polymeric armour materials
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Credit: Imperial College

17. Multi-function materials and systems inspiring
lightweight and miniaturised capability
e.g. Bio-inspired morphing wings
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Credit: Queen Blue Bear Systems Research

18. Relevant enduring challenge themes
• New capabilities: challenging current convention, disruptive
• All environments: personnel, platforms, facilities, materials
– Protection: physical, susceptibility to detection
– Mobility: lightweighting, comfort, propulsion
– Lower cost of ownership: maintenance, repair, life extension
• Multi-function or smart materials as enablers for structures:
– Situational awareness
– Power
– Communications
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19. Closing remarks
• We’re interested in most aspects of materials and
structures science and technology
• We want to capitalise global advances for UK defence
and economic benefits
• But we can’t fund work in every area
• So please identify where we can play a part
– To unlock technical progress
– And hence defence capability impact
UK OFFICIAL© Crown copyright 2013 Dstl
27 June 2014