The project goal is to reduce uncertainty in using composites for commercial MHK designs by investigating their performance, potential for manufacture, and providing validated composites resources to industry. A 2015 MHK Composites Workshop identified that industry requires a better understanding of composite materials & structural performance properties related to MHK conditions; they also need validated MHK resources (database & best practices handbook) they can trust to guide development. This led to our Phase I Proposal: Material Design Tools for Marine Hydrokinetic Composite Structures. In 2020, the Materials and Manufacturing Strategy for Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Technologies Research & Development was developed and identified the next level of composites materials research and key gap areas.
