Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to photovoltaic module for use on a roof. In some embodiments, the photovoltaic module may include a solar cell and a polymeric continuous fiber tape. In some embodiments, the polymeric continuous fiber tape comprises a polymer and glass fiber. In some embodiments, the glass fiber is present in an amount greater than about 50% by weight based on a total weight of the polymeric continuous fiber tape. In some embodiments, the polymeric continuous fiber tape comprises an elastic modulus greater than 1 GPa and an optical transmission greater than 80%.

A composite structure of a cargo body and a method of making the same are disclosed. The composite structure includes at least one electrical grid embedded within fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) layers. The embedded electrical grid includes a plurality of conductive fibers and a plurality of insulating fibers integrated into a polymer matrix of the FRP layers. The embedded electrical grid may be used for power distribution, structural strengthening and stiffness, and/or puncture detection.

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a blast protection panel, comprising a package of fibre-reinforced resin sheets, each sheet having a dominant unidirectional fibre orientation, said package of fibre-reinforced resin sheets formed in packed stacks, each stack comprising at least four fibre-reinforced resin sheets with dominant unidirectional fibres oriented, within said each stack, alternatingly at about right angles relative to each other; and said each stack packed against adjacent stacks, said adjacent stacks comprising sheets with dominant unidirectional fibres oriented at acute angles relative said each stack thereby forming a delamination interface.

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a blast protection panel, comprising a package of fibre-reinforced resin sheets, each sheet having a dominant unidirectional fibre orientation, said package of fibre-reinforced resin sheets formed in packed stacks, each stack comprising at least four fibre-reinforced resin sheets with dominant unidirectional fibres oriented, within said each stack, alternatingly at about right angles relative to each other; and said each stack packed against adjacent stacks, said adjacent stacks comprising sheets with dominant unidirectional fibres oriented at acute angles relative said each stack thereby forming a delamination interface.

A preformed material for use in fiber-reinforced composite materials, the preformed material including one or more fiber rovings including parallel fibers wherein the fiber rovings include one or more folds in a direction parallel to the direction of the fibers and wherein the unfolded width of the fiber rovings have a width included in a range from 0.3 mm to 5 mm. The fiber density by volume may be included in a range from 10% to 75% of fibers. The thickness of a fiber roving may be included in a range from 50 .Math.m to 2 mm. The fiber rovings may include from 500 to 12000 fibers. The fiber rovings may include a thermoplastic polymer that forms a first bond within the one or more folds and a second bond between a first fiber roving and a second adjacent fiber roving.

A preformed material for use in fiber-reinforced composite materials, the preformed material including one or more fiber rovings including parallel fibers wherein the fiber rovings include one or more folds in a direction parallel to the direction of the fibers and wherein the unfolded width of the fiber rovings have a width included in a range from 0.3 mm to 5 mm. The fiber density by volume may be included in a range from 10% to 75% of fibers. The thickness of a fiber roving may be included in a range from 50 .Math.m to 2 mm. The fiber rovings may include from 500 to 12000 fibers. The fiber rovings may include a thermoplastic polymer that forms a first bond within the one or more folds and a second bond between a first fiber roving and a second adjacent fiber roving.

A method and system for the characterization of equibiaxial compressive strength in 2D woven composites, such as carbon fiber reinforced laminate composites, is disclosed using induced biaxial flexure, the strain measurements from which are used to determine the equibiaxial compressive strength of the composite.

An object of the present invention is to obtain a fiber-reinforced composite material achieving both lightweight properties and mechanical properties at a high level. The present invention provides a fiber-reinforced composite material including a resin (A) and a reinforcing fiber (B), and having: a porous structure portion having micropores with an average pore diameter of 500 μm or less as measured by a mercury intrusion method; and a coarse cavity portion defined by the porous structure portion and having a maximum length of more than 500 μm as a cross-sectional opening portion.

An object of the present invention is to obtain a fiber-reinforced composite material achieving both lightweight properties and mechanical properties at a high level. The present invention provides a fiber-reinforced composite material including a resin (A) and a reinforcing fiber (B), and having: a porous structure portion having micropores with an average pore diameter of 500 μm or less as measured by a mercury intrusion method; and a coarse cavity portion defined by the porous structure portion and having a maximum length of more than 500 μm as a cross-sectional opening portion.

The disclosure provides an interior trim part for a motor vehicle having a sliding or panoramic roof comprising a headliner and a stiffening frame attached to the headliner and enclosing and stabilizing an opening in the headliner enclosing the sliding or panoramic window, the stiffening frame being made of a fiber-reinforced composite material comprising a fiber mat and a textile lattice material, the textile lattice material being applied over a surface of the fiber mat and impregnated together therewith.