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School of Aerospace Engineering

Materials and Structures Research Group

The Materials and Structures Research Group is a dedicated research team advancing aerospace engineering through the study of aircraft structural integrity, advanced composite materials and aeroelasticity. The group tackles critical challenges in lightweighting, material durability and sustainable aerospace manufacturing where traditional alloys fall short. Using experimental fabrication and environmental testing, the group develops high-performance and eco-friendly structural solutions, including natural fiber bio-composites and advanced thermoplastic systems. Its work supports the future of aviation manufacturing, ensuring next-generation aircraft are more fuel-efficient, structurally resilient and environmentally sustainable.

Core Focus Areas & Projects

  • Advanced Composites: Processing and production of thermosetting and thermoplastic composites.
  • Sustainable Bio-Materials: Extraction and manufacturing of bio-composites based on natural fibers.
  • Structural Durability: Analyzing the effect of environmental factors on composite materials.
  • Applied Aviation Design: Assembly of experimental aircraft kits and aeroelasticity research.

Facilities

  • Composite Laboratory: For the fabrication, curing, and testing of advanced polymer matrix composites.
  • Structure & Manufacturing Laboratory: For mechanical testing and structural integrity analysis.
  • Welding Laboratory: For advanced aerospace joining techniques and material bonding.
  • Workshop & Hangar: For large-scale assembly, hands-on manufacturing, and experimental aircraft integration.

Group Members

Dr. Aslina Anjang Ab Rahman
Dr. Aslina Anjang Ab Rahman
USM Expert Profile
Dr. Norizham Abd Razak
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norizham Abd Razak
USM Expert Profile
Dr. Mohd Shukur Zainol Abidin
Dr. Mohd Shukur Zainol Abidin
USM Expert Profile

Research Activities

Selected Publications

  1. Ab Satar, M. H., Abdul Razak, N., & Ab Rahman, A. A. (2025). A Comparative Study of Flow Control Methods for Enhancing Wind Turbine Blade Performance. Journal of Energy Engineering, 151(3).
  2. Amjad, A., Ab Rahman, A. A., Alshahrani, H., & Zainol Abidin, M. S. (2025). Hybrid polymer composite of abaca-E-glass and epoxy-bamboo activated carbon nanofiller with variations in fiber orientation. Materials and Technologies, 59(4).
  3. Amjad, A., Awais, H., Ab Rahman, A. A., & Zainol Abidin, M. S. (2022). Effect of nanofillers on mechanical and water absorption properties of alkaline treated flax/PLA fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid nanocomposites. Advanced Composite Materials, 31(4), 351-369.
  4. Amjad, A., Ab Rahman, A. A., & Zainol Abidin, M. S. (2022). Effect of nanofillers on mechanical and water absorption properties of alkaline treated jute fiber reinforced epoxy bio nanocomposites. Journal of Natural Fibers, 19(16), 14592-14608.
  5. Amjad, A., Ab Rahman, A. A., Awais, H., Zainol Abidin, M. S., & Khan, J. (2022). A review investigating the influence of nanofiller addition on the mechanical, thermal and water absorption properties of cellulosic fibre reinforced polymer composite. Journal of Industrial Textiles, 51(1_suppl), 65S-100S.
  6. Ab Satar, M. H., Abdul Razak, N., & Ismail, F. (2025). A Comparative Study of Flow Control Methods for Enhancing Wind Turbine Blade Performance. Journal of Energy Engineering, 151(3).
  7. Wahab, M. K. A., Zainol, M. R. R. M. A., Abas, M. A., & Razak, N. A. (2025). Numerical Analysis of Debris Impact Forces and Its Environmental Repercussions Using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics. Journal of Engineering and Sustainability, 33(1), 7-19.
  8. Ab Satar, M. H., Razak, N. A., Abdullah, M. S., & Ismal, F. (2024). A comprehensive comparison of passive flow controls on the wind turbine blade lift and drag performances: A CFD approach. European Journal of Mechanics-B/Fluids, 108, 119-133.
  9. Aftab, S. M. A., Razak, N. A., Mohd Rafie, A. S., & Ahmad, K. A. (2024). Effect of protuberances on the aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine blade – a review. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 46(1), 3416–3431.
  10. Abdul Razak, N., et al. (2023). A comparative study of the influences of leading-edge suction and blowing on the aerodynamic performance of a horizontal-axis wind turbine. Journal of Energy Engineering, 149(1).
  11. Amjad, A., Ab Rahman, A. A., Alshahrani, H., & Zainol Abidin, M. S. (2025). Hybrid polymer composite of abaca-E-glass and epoxy-bamboo activated carbon nanofiller with variations in fiber orientation. Materials and Technologies, 59(4).
  12. Amjad, A., Anjang, A., & Zainol Abidin, M. S. (2024). Effect of nanofiller concentration on the density and void content of natural fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 14(7), 8661-8670.
  13. Amjad, A., Awais, H., Ab Rahman, A. A., & Zainol Abidin, M. S. (2022). Effect of nanofillers on mechanical and water absorption properties of alkaline treated flax/PLA fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid nanocomposites. Advanced Composite Materials, 31(4), 351-369.
  14. Amjad, A., Ab Rahman, A. A., & Zainol Abidin, M. S. (2022). Effect of nanofillers on mechanical and water absorption properties of alkaline treated jute fiber reinforced epoxy bio nanocomposites. Journal of Natural Fibers, 19(16), 14592-14608.
  15. Amjad, A., Ab Rahman, A. A., Awais, H., Zainol Abidin, M. S., & Khan, J. (2022). A review investigating the influence of nanofiller addition on the mechanical, thermal and water absorption properties of cellulosic fibre reinforced polymer composite. Journal of Industrial Textiles, 51(1_suppl), 65S-100S.