UAE-based composite aerostructures production facility Strata has established a new laboratory to advance research in developing aerostructure manufacturing solutions at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

Established in partnership with the institute’s faculty and students, the laboratory will help advance manufacturing, automation and materials research into aerospace production lines.

The lab will also act as a facilitator to employ third-party companies and research laboratories such as aircraft manufacturers to develop new technologies. 

Leveraging the research capabilities and expertise of both organisations, the lab will also engage relevant third-party groups to use their technologies.

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology engineering systems and management professor Dr Mohammed Omar said: “The lab at Masdar Institute currently features a variety of testing systems such as novel thermography-based imagers, ultrasound based sensors and instruments, robotic manipulators and precise laser scanners and trackers.

“More robotics manipulators will be added, along with full-size composite aerospace structures in the near future.

“These systems will further help Strata to expand their product base and develop technologically advanced materials for the customers.” 

“These systems will further help Strata to expand their product base and develop technologically advanced materials for the customers.” 

Three Masdar Institute faculty members and two post-doc researchers are currently engaged in active research in the new Strata lab.

Three UAE students, along with five Strata engineers and researchers, are also engaged in lab activities. 

Last year, Masdar Institute and Strata jointly developed a new prototype aerospace structure defect detection system, which has now reached the industrialisation phase.

An updated version of the system will be deployed in verifying composite based aerospace structures at Strata’s Al Ain manufacturing facility in UAE.

Image: Three faculty members and two post-doc researchers, are currently engaged in active research in the new Strata lab. Photo: courtesy of Masdar Institute.