Professor Oana Ghita, University of Exeter

The renewable energy sector faces significant challenges in materials and manufacturing. Many future applications in this field require highly durable and recyclable materials that offer exceptional structural performance, wear and corrosion resistance. Combined with such materials, manufacturing must support design flexibility, scalability and high production speeds. High performance thermoplastics such as polyaryletherketones (PAEKs) are known for their applicability in harsh and demanding environments, making them ideal candidates for applications driven by high dynamic loads, fatigue or erosion resistance.  This project will focus on developing advanced PAEK-based materials and large-scale processes to drive sustainable and long-lasting solutions in the renewable energy sector.