ITA
Dietmar Kuballa - Fotolia 
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Fiber-reinforced composites provide high stability and limited weight which is essential in lightweight construction. Until recently, high cost in production prevented a wider application in the industry in comparison to other materials.
Dr. Christopher Lenz, alumni of the Institut für Texiltechnik of the RWTH Aachen University (ITA), Aachen/Germany, has been nominated for this year’s Otto von Guericke Award, presented by the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AiF), for his research findings in open reed weaving (ORW). Within the framework of the AiF project “Multiax-Structure: Single-stage production of local reinforced textile structures on the basis of multiaxial fabrics”, he developed the necessary skills that allow an expanded application of ORW.
When applying this new technology, the number of steps in further processes and the amount of waste decreases. The process helps the small-scale and medium-sized industry to decrease production time and cost in order to stand up to international comparison.