Background and motivation
Lightweight structures and high-performance materials are one way of meeting CO2 requirements. The introduction of nanotechnologies in metal and polymer composites can be an answer to this challenge. The OASIS project is therefore developing an "Open Innovation Test Bed" for innovative, polymer- and aluminium-based smart lightweight composites, which is intended to accelerate innovations and drive nanotechnologies forward. To this end, it offers companies (especially SMEs) the opportunity to develop and test lightweight, high-performance, multifunctional, safe and environmentally friendly materials, components and structures, and to support their market introduction and commercialisation. In this way, SMEs gain access to unique facilities and knowledge. At the same time, the large financial investment often required for pre- or small-scale production series is avoided.
During the project, SMEs can test the capabilities of the "Open-Innovation Test Bed" via an Open Call!

Objectives and approach
At EU level, facilities and production platforms for the design, development, testing and control/safety of nano-enabled, lightweight and multifunctional materials and components will be upgraded and upscaled to make them easier to access for European users and to facilitate industrial scale production. At the same time, the development of suitable inline quality control and product traceability systems for corresponding equipment is moving into focus.
The OASIS project comprises twelve manufacturing pilot lines in the field of nanotechnology, covering the entire process chain from nanoparticle development to the creation of a final product. This ensures high-quality, safe, competitive and environmentally friendly production. The potential of the production pilot lines will be validated by six industrial showcases in areas where lightweight products have a significant impact.
In general, the objective of OASIS is to advance materials research in the field of nanotechnology in composite materials and the application of these materials. More explicit objectives include a 15% improvement in industrial process parameters, a 20% faster verification of material performance, a 15% reduction in energy consumption in several sectors through the use of lighter materials in the product and process, and a 20% improvement in industrial productivity, reliability, environmental compatibility, durability and life-cycle costs.

Role of AWI
Within the framework of the OASIS project, we are researching one of the six showcases. We are responsible for the design, FE-calculation and (structural-) optimization of lightweight solutions. Together with industrial partners we develop a material-, production- and customer-specific high-performance lightweight structure.
In this context, components are considered under static and dynamic loads, which are optimized using biologically-inspired structures and the ELiSE algorithm. The optimization process considers not only the properties of the new nanotechnological materials, but also the design specifications and restrictions imposed by new manufacturing processes.
For this reason, our goal is to develop an optimization method that takes into account manufacturing processes and specifications as well as the latest bio-inspired approach to structural optimization for the development and improvement of lightweight structures in order to exploit the full potential of the new materials and manufacturing processes.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 814581.