FRP Composites in Sport

19 July 2012, Birmingham, UK

The sports industry is one of the biggest consumers of FRP composites, based on carbon, glass and more recently natural fibres. Improvements in performance, through light weight and stiffness characteristics have led to a growing consumer-led market. Golf club shafts were one of the first to take advantage of the lightweight benefits of carbon fibre, sail and surfboards were some of the first to utilise composite sandwich structures, snow sports have created some of the best tooling in the industry, and biking continues to push the limits of weight reduction. The advent of prosthetic limbs in Paralympic events has led to ethical questions being raised by some on their appropriate use.

This 1-day event takes a look at how composites are changing sports equipment for the better, constantly pushing the boundaries, and in particular how they will be utilised in the upcoming 2012 London Olympic games.

Programme

10:00 - Registration
10:30 -Welcome and Introduction
10:35 -The Impact of Nanotechnology in Sports and Leisure Applications
Dr. Alan Smith
11:05 - Natural Fibre Composites in Sport
Dr. Brendon Weager, Composites Evolution
11:35 - Break
11:55 - Third Generation Toughened High-End Araldite NanoTech Composite RTM System for Sport Applications
Peter Waldmeier, Huntsman
12:25 - The Olympic Carbon Bicycle Frame; Design Methodology, Considerations, Manufacturing and Results
Dimitris Katsanis, METRON Advanced Equipment Ltd
12:55 - Understanding Composite Prosthetic Foot Dynamics and its Potential for Performance Enhancement
Prof. Siamak Noroozi, University of Bornemouth
13:25 - Lunch and Close

Registrations

To register please click here to download a registration form or request one from claire.whysall@netcomposites.com. Delegate places are £95 (ex VAT) each, with a student rate of £65 (ex VAT).