This year we are organizing the special sessions below as part of Symposium 4, which are dedicated to specific topics. If you would like to contribute to one of them, just upload your contribution to the corresponding symposium and indicate the special session during abstract submission. If you would like to set up a special session, please contact the conference organizers.
Deployable and Adaptive Space Structures
- Host of special session: Maria Sakovsky
- Part of Symposium 4
- Session Description: This session focuses on advancements in the design, analysis, and implementation of deployable and adaptive spacecraft structures. Topics include but are not limited to innovative deployment mechanisms, lightweight materials, adaptation of shape and other mechanical properties in structures, and multifunctional materials and structures with special consideration for structures operating in the space environment. This session invites discussions on experimental validation, computational modeling, and emerging technologies that enable next-generation capabilities for solar arrays, optical and radio frequency apertures, and other space applications.
Active Hybrid Composites
- Host of special session: Martin Gurka
- Part of Symposium 4
- Session Description: The combination of active smart materials (such as shape memory alloys, piezoelectrics or active polymers) and a structural load bearing material (e.g fibre reinforced composite) leads to so- called active hybrid composites with sensing or actuation capabilities.
This considerably broadens possibilities for new applications, but poses new questions. On the practical side, new ways must be found to exchange energy and mechanical loads with the surrounding structure; theoretically, the question arises how to describe these multifunctional composites efficiently. This Active Hybrid Composites session will focus on both aspects.
Multifunctional Energy Storage Systems
- Hosts of special session: Sebastian Geier, Cody Gonzalez
- Part of Symposium 4
- Session Description: The use of multifunctional energy storage systems (such as batteries, supercapacitors, and others) for additional purposes such as composites, structures, and actuators is an emerging topic. Such technology could lead to dual purpose energy storage for reduced volume and/or weight, or additional system capabilities such as structural reinforcement, actuation, and sensing. This special session gives a platform for research presentations highlighting this topic.