CIMNE: Advancing High-Performance Bio-Based Composites
The International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE), based in Barcelona, plays a key role in the BIOntier project. Renowned globally, CIMNE is a leader in computational modeling and simulation for engineering applications.
👩🔬 Strategic Scientific Contribution
Led by Professors Lucia Barbu and Alejandro Cornejo, CIMNE contributes its deep expertise in computational mechanics to model the behavior of bio-based composite materials. These eco-materials, reinforced with natural fibers and biodegradable polymers, exhibit complex mechanical behavior that CIMNE’s advanced numerical tools help to analyze and predict.
🛠️ Practical Applications Across Industries
The numerical methods developed by CIMNE are applied to several key sectors:
Automotive: Lightweight, impact-resistant composite panels
Naval: Eco-friendly hull reinforcements and marine structures
Aerospace: Sustainable, lightweight aircraft components
Defense: Advanced bio-composite armor and protective systems
🚀 Looking Ahead: Multiscale Modeling & AI Integration
CIMNE is focused on refining its multi-scale modeling techniques, combining traditional approaches like homogenization and rule-of-mixtures with cutting-edge machine learning algorithms. These innovations aim to reduce computational costs while improving predictive accuracy. Adaptive meshing and ML-driven surrogate models will enable accurate tracking of progressive failure mechanisms in complex materials.
🌱 A Broader Impact
For CIMNE, BIOntier fosters vital collaborations and provides access to experimental data for model validation. More broadly, the project supports European goals in green innovation and circular economy by promoting the use of sustainable composite materials that combine performance with environmental responsibility.