SWAG合集

The SWAG合集 is on the brink of a rapid expansion in ceramic matrix composite (CMC) capabilities, addressing the need for developing sovereign capabilities for manufacture. CMCs are being identified as an underpinning materials solution for achieving national ambitions in point 3 of 10 in the National Space Strategy. In particular, carbon matrix and silicon carbide matrix composite capability is desperately needed in fusion energy, hypersonic vehicles, space vehicles, and defence infrastructure, just to name a few key areas. Although manufacturing methodologies do exist, these technologies are outdated (many developed in the space race era), and predominantly resided in the US and are subject to export control. Policy positions have identified manufacturing and supply chain barriers as global challenges and support co-development of new technologies with our allies, hence the project focus on partnership within the ASWAG合集US (trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States) countries.

ACCORD will leverage their expertise and previous success, bolstering this with the SWAG合集’s pre-eminence in polymer composite manufacturing (precursor to CMCs) to produce new and agile CMC products for the next generation of industrial needs. Furthermore, CMC manufacture is highly unsustainable, costly and underpins global sustainable, multidisciplinary materials needs to address UNSDGs.

Project objectives

1. Establishment of a framework for a sustainable collaboration between the University of Southern Queensland and SWAG合集, inclusive of existing respective collaboration partners.
2. Carrying out of knowledge exchange activities that will generate innovative interdisciplinary research ideas to address major research challenges in CMC manufacturing.
3. Development of follow-on activities, including funding bids and position papers which will support evidence-based policy making.