The tragedy of OceanGate Titan that met a catastrophic end on 18 June 2023 claimed five lives.
Submarine experts attribute the implosion to a tiny crack in the carbon fibre composite hull, formed under the high-pressure environment of the deep sea.
Dr Nisa Salim from Swinburne University of Technology’s School of Engineering is working on making the future of submarine safety look promising.
Dr Salim’s research focuses on developing carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites that can self-identify microcracks and self-heal. Her vision is to develop smart, engineered materials that are enablers for digitalization and the internet of things – living materials that sense, actuate, and harvest energy.
“The structure would have the ability to self-sense stresses and defects and report them in real-time. The material could even self-repair such micro-cracks in a matter of time.”
“The concept is that materials can behave like a living organism where they can sense, respond and adapt immediately,” adds Dr Salim.
Dr Salim’s innovative designs are inspired by nature, creating multifunctional composite structures. The material utilises graphene, a “magic” material that makes fibres into individual layers acting as sensors, providing continuous real-time information about the health of the composites.
In the event of a crack, the material self-heals. Users receive real-time information while the submarine repairs itself. “Our specialised polymer system can heal any microcracks itself by breaking and reforming chemical bonds via exchange reactions,” Dr Salim explains.
“By integrating self-sensing and self-healing functionalities into carbon fibre composites, we bring such materials to life and make them autonomous.”
Additionally, Dr Salim’s team is developing an invisible battery pack, eliminating the need for a traditional battery that can occupy up to 30 per cent of the craft’s weight.
“We need such autonomous materials to stop catastrophic accidents from happening ever again. It’s not science fiction, it’s the future of technology and innovation,” asserts Dr Salim.
Dr Salim, originally from Kochi in Kerala, after finishing her Masters had offers from Ireland and Germany. However, she chose Australia as it had good research guidance and lifestyle.
Dr Salim received her PhD from Deakin University in 2013 in materials engineering where her research mainly focused on advanced carbon materials and functional fibres. She has also been selected for the National Committee for Materials Science and Engineering (NCMSE) of the Australian Academy of Science.
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