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Ecological lightweight design for sustainable composites : need for application of frugal engineering principles
Citation Link: https://doi.org/10.15480/882.4772
Publikationstyp
Working Paper
Date Issued
2022-12
Sprache
English
Author(s)
Herausgeber*innen
Other Contributor
TORE-DOI
Number in series
114
Citation
Working Paper // Technologie- und Innovationsmanagement, Technische Universität Hamburg (2022)
Peer Reviewed
false
Lightweight design is regarded as a technological approach to engineer products in a more energy and material efficient- and, therefore, resource-saving way. In this sense, high-tech multi-materials, also referred to as composites, have become very popular for many decades due to their adaptability of material characteristics as well as high specific mechanical properties. However, composites in particular have also challenging characteristics, for example in the end-of-life of a product, as they cannot be recirculated in a typical material stream, or can only be recycled to a very limited extent (also known as “downcycling”).
Alongside a common product lifecycle, we therefore describe challenges and constraints of ecological lightweight design and underpin the identified issues using semi-structured interviews with experts from the lightweight industry. We further approach the topic through the theoretical lens of frugal engineering, which critically evaluates and reduces the effective features and performances needed for an innovation thus resulting in more affordable and sustainable outcomes. Arguably, frugality might play a decisive role in ecological material transition as technology-driven innovation paradigms in search for the best material are substituted by more use case oriented engineering principles in search for the most suitable material.
Alongside a common product lifecycle, we therefore describe challenges and constraints of ecological lightweight design and underpin the identified issues using semi-structured interviews with experts from the lightweight industry. We further approach the topic through the theoretical lens of frugal engineering, which critically evaluates and reduces the effective features and performances needed for an innovation thus resulting in more affordable and sustainable outcomes. Arguably, frugality might play a decisive role in ecological material transition as technology-driven innovation paradigms in search for the best material are substituted by more use case oriented engineering principles in search for the most suitable material.
Subjects
Lightweight Design
Composites
Sustainability
Product Lifecycle
frugal innovation
frugal engineering
DDC Class
330: Wirtschaft
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