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Project sponsors Mubadala and Strata Manufacturing drive collaboration for a faster, more efficient and safer approach to detecting stresses, fractures and cavities in aerospace structures
19 May, 2015, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, has unveiled a new prototype defect detection system designed for aerospace structures that uses a non-destructive testing (NDT) approach and ensures faster more efficient inspection rates.
Masdar unveiled the prototype to a delegation from research project sponsors, Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) and Strata Manufacturing PJSC (Strata); including H.E. Mr. Homaid Al Shemmari, CEO of Aerospace & Engineering Services at Mubadala.
Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Al Shemmari, said: "As the aerospace industry continues to experience rapid growth here in the UAE, we are constantly seeking R&D collaborations that result in the delivery of high quality products with increased reliability. Our work with the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, in collaboration with Strata, directly supports our strategy of partnering with academic institutions to advance innovation across the sector and help further the UAE's knowledge based economy. The development of this new state-of-the-art system is evidence of the talent and drive the UAE has to advance our position in the global aerospace industry."
Badr Al Olama, CEO of Strata, said: "We are immensely proud of this new technological development that will strengthen Strata's global competitiveness as well as offer reliable and repeatable manufacturing solutions that benefits our customers. We have set a vision to become one of the top three aerostructure companies globally, and this requires a pragmatic and practical approach to R&D that is essential to compete and sustain the continuous technological development of the aerospace sector. Our partnership with the Masdar Institute of Technology, and this new technological breakthrough, is a clear testament to our joint commitment to industry."
Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said, "This is a very good example of collaboration between academia, industry and government with direct relevance to UAE enterprises. Masdar Institute is not only aiding the sustainable development of the aerospace industry through the creation of this highly innovative prototype, but we are also ensuring that the next generation of our workforce is provided with advanced, highly technical aerospace and engineering skillsets."
The prototype that we have developed uses advanced thermal imaging to detect stresses, fractures and cavities on and inside aerospace structures. After a comprehensive analysis to develop in-house coding, the current prototype can complete the detection process for a variety of defects in few seconds. It also provides real-time data and images allowing for further inspection of the structure."
Completely developed in-house by faculty and students of the Masdar Institute, the first successful testing phase is now complete. The collaborative research project will now see final prototypes and inspection programs transferred to Strata's advanced manufacturing facility in Al Ain for automation, inspection for industry use, real-time coding optimization and image stitching - a feature to align the acquired images during the inspection process resulting in the compilation of images showing defects for the complete structure.
This next phase will also see the research team build a quantification program that will determine the depth, size and acceptance or threshold of aerospace structures during inspection. All aspects of phase two will be completed in compliance with the aerospace standards implemented by the world's leading aerostructure manufacturers.
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About Masdar Institute
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) was established by the government of Abu Dhabi as a not-for-profit, private graduate university to develop indigenous R&D capacity in Abu Dhabi addressing issues of importance to the region.
In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute has developed an academic and research platform that articulates its mission and vision according to critical energy and sustainability challenges.
An important characteristic of Masdar Institute is its focus on complex real-world problems that require a multidisciplinary approach for the development of solutions from an integrated technology, systems and policy perspective. This multi-interdisciplinary and integrated approach is supported by the structure of its academic programs and by the emphasis placed on engaging external partners from industry, government, and other academic institutions in collaborative activities.
Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar's core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi's knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity's toughest challenges such as climate change.
Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.
Masdar Institute offers degrees in:
· MSc Engineering Systems and Management
· MSc Computing and Information Science
· MSc Materials Science and Engineering
· MSc Mechanical Engineering
· MSc Water and Environmental Engineering
· MSc Microsystems Engineering
· MSc Electrical Power Engineering
· MSc Chemical Engineering
· MSc Sustainable Critical Infrastructure
· PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering
Please visit our website www.masdar.ac.ae/
About Mubadala Development Company
Established and owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi, the company's strategy is built on the creation of partnerships and on long-term, capital-intensive investments that deliver strong financial returns, contribute to the growth and diversification of Abu Dhabi's economy, and create opportunities for current and future generations in the United Arab Emirates.
Mubadala brings together and manages a multi-billion dollar portfolio of local, regional and international investments and partners with leading global organizations to operate businesses across a wide range of industry sectors. These include aerospace, semiconductors, metals & mining, oil & gas, renewables, information & communications technology, healthcare, real estate & infrastructure, utilities, and defense services.
For more information about Mubadala please visit www.mubadala.com.
About Strata Manufacturing PJSC
Strata Manufacturing PJSC (Strata) is a composite aerostructures manufacturing facility based in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Established in 2009 and beginning production in 2010, Strata has partnerships with some of the world's leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including Airbus, Alenia Aermacchi and Boeing, as well as tier one suppliers FACC AG and SABCA.
Strata is currently a supplier for the Airbus A330/340 and the A380 programs as well as the Boeing B777 and B787 programs. Strata is preparing to begin supplying to SABCA on the A350 XWB program for Airbus.In addition, Strata supplies Alenia Aermacchi on the ATR Program.
Strata is wholly owned by Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and development company.
To learn more about Strata or the Mubadala Development Company log onto: www.strata.ae or www.mubadala.ae
For more information contact:
Name: Shaima Al Jarman
Director - Marketing & Communications
Public Affairs Department
Email: saljarman@masdar.ac.ae
Phone: +971 02 810 9365
© Press Release 2015
