Professor Clemens Dransfeld and his collaborators have received NWO KIC funding to develop programmable magnetic joining layers for efficient manufacturing and repair of hybrid composites. Advanced composites are key to lighter, more efficient structures, but current joining methods either add weight or demand strict factory conditions. Welding Made Easy introduces a programmable joining layer: a thermoplastic film applied to thermoset composites, functionalized with magnetic nanoparticles. Under an alternating magnetic field, these particles heat precisely to the plastic’s processing temperature, then stop, ensuring controlled bonding without complex equipment. This self-regulating process enables strong, lightweight welds in decentralized environments. The consortium unites polymer producers, OEMs, and researchers in nanoparticles, composite processing, and production science to accelerate industrial adoption.
