Electromagnetic interference (EMI) represents a significant threat to aircraft safety, potentially causing critical system failures during flight. While metals have long been the preferred choice for EMI shielding due to their effectiveness, the aviation industry is increasingly turning to composite materials like carbon fiber composites (CFC) and carbon fiber reinforced carbon composites (CFRC) to achieve weight reduction, improved fuel efficiency, and cost savings. Despite their advantages in weight, corrosion resistance, and impact strength, these composites fall short in EMI shielding capabilities, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions. As the industry incorporates lighter materials and explores advanced nano- and micro-engineered options, thorough assessments of electromagnetic performance are crucial for identifying vulnerabilities. Typically, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) evaluations are conducted late in the manufacturing process, leading to costly redesigns if problems are discovered. In response to these challenges, the SolvEMCA2 project aims to develop an accelerated numerical solver for assessing EMC in aircraft built with advanced materials, empowering engineers to predict electromagnetic challenges early in the design phase and enabling informed decision-making while simulating in-flight conditions that may not be achievable in experimental settings.
The following points are therefore addressed within SolvEMCA2:
-Characterization of electric and magnetic behaviour of new EMI shielding materials
-Integrating the material into actual Computer-Aided Design (CAD) aircraft models
-Accelerating numerical solver for simulating electromagnetic wave propagation through materials
These investigations aim to provide a valuable tool and design guidelines for the development of future aircraft, incorporating new materials and technologies for effective EMI shielding.
