CEEFC

Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites

Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites (CEEFC), formerly known as Fibre Composites Design and Development (FCDD), is one of the key research centres in Australia, to focus on research and development of fibre (from macro scale down to nano-scale) reinforced polymer/clement composite materials for different engineering applications. The Centre provides services to the industry through collaborative research, consultancy activities, knowledge sharing platforms and industrial-engaged research degree programs.

A brief history of the major development stages of fibre composite research and its centre at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) can be enlisted as follows:

1995 - Establishment of the Centre as FCDD
2002 - Establishment and reformation of the Centre as CEEFC with the support by the Queensland Government
2006 - Official opening of CEEFC by the Queensland Government
2010 - Construction and opening of CEEFC Structural Testing Facilities by the Queensland Government
2011 - Formation of an International Advisory Board (IAB) of CEEFC.

Since the establishment of CEEFC in 2002, several large scale projects with the industry and Queensland Government have been conducted. These projects include:

Australia's first fibre composite bridge developed at Toowoomba, in collaboration with industry partners
innovation of fibre composite walers for use in marinas and floating walkways
development of fibre composite railway sleepers and trusses (with Queensland Railway Department)
structural health monitoring systems for composite structures
sustainable geopolymer for replacement of replacement of traditional cement
natural fibre (plant/animal based) reinforced biodegradable polymer composites.

Through its multi-disciplinary staff with combined expertise in civil, structural, mechanical, materials and polymers CEEFC provides the following services:

Engineered solutions for the industry through its research and development collaborations
research training at postdoctoral, postgraduate and undergraduate levels including student and staff exchange programs
professional training and education in the form of online postgraduate courses, short courses, workshops and seminars
consultancy and testing services in the areas of structures, materials, polymers and computational modelling and analysis.

What's New?

The 19^th International Conference on Composite Materials (ICCM-19) will be held on from July 28 to August 2, 2013 in Montréal, Canada. CEEFC is organising a special session about Natural Fibre Composites in the ICCM-19.

The 4th International Conference on Smart Materials and Nanotechnology in Engineering (SMN 2013) will be held on 10-12 July 2013 in Gold Coast, Australia. This event will be hosted by CEEFC with other national and international co-organisers.