This is the first post for the INSIST project, a Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship that is funded through the European 7th Framework Programme. This project will undertake experimental structural integrity and stability research of metal foam sandwich panels and consider their application in the design of components pertinent to energy infrastructure. My name is Stelios Yiatros and I am the Intra-European Fellow of the project, undertaking this project at Cranfield University. I am originally from Cyprus where I am a Lecturer in Structural Engineering and my research background is on buckling mode interaction in sandwich structures and biomimetic design. Doing experimental work with metal foam panels is a very exciting opportunity, since this material has the potential of disrupting steel and metal construction, offering advantages in lightweight construction, thermal insulation, improved blast resistance, and even buoyancy for floating structures since the foam density is below that of water (under 1g/cm 3 ). This project will allow me to test this novel material and interact both with manufacturers and designers in order to produce design guidelines for its application in the industry.
This blog will be used as the main channel of communication between the project researchers, the research community as well as the general public interested in science, technology and engineering. Here, I will be posting stories and developments of the project, announce public events and share results. The project started in January 2015 and is due to be completed in January 2017. Most of the activities will take place at Cranfield University in the UK Structural Integrity Laboratory. Bookmark this page and keep an eye for future updates!
For now I will leave you with this short video from Havel Metal Foam, taking you through the manufacturing of metal foam sandwich panels.
This blog will be used as the main channel of communication between the project researchers, the research community as well as the general public interested in science, technology and engineering. Here, I will be posting stories and developments of the project, announce public events and share results. The project started in January 2015 and is due to be completed in January 2017. Most of the activities will take place at Cranfield University in the UK Structural Integrity Laboratory. Bookmark this page and keep an eye for future updates!
For now I will leave you with this short video from Havel Metal Foam, taking you through the manufacturing of metal foam sandwich panels.