RMIT University PhD student Mr Adrian Orifici has developed cutting-edge technology that means tomorrow's aircraft can be designed safer and lighter than ever before. Since commencing his thesis in March 2004, Mr Orifici has been working with the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures (CRC-ACS) in Melbourne, Australia. His research is a featured highlight at the 2007 Cooperative Research Centres Association Conference's Early Career Scientists Presentations. The CRC-ACS is one of the world's leading research institutions in high-strength lightweight plastics known as composites, and Adrian's work is aimed at increasing the use of these advanced materials in future aircraft designs. Working with the CRC-ACS, and in collaboration with European partners, Adrian has produced an innovative series of computer models that represent the complex ways in which composite materials undergo damage. The key to the success of Adrian's models was achieving a balance between an in-depth understanding of the science behind each damage type with the practical realities of real engineering procedures. "From these models, I then developed and demonstrated user-friendly, cutting-edge software that allows the next generation of aircraft to be designed with increased safety while being more lightweight than ever before," Adrian said. The Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures brings Australian research providers and the composites industries together to develop and implement competitive composites technologies. Since its inception in 1991, it has grown to become an internationally recognized composites research organization. The partnership includes leading composites businesses, government research laboratories and Australia's foremost universities in composites research. Current membership stands at 25 organizations, but this is set to increase in all categories by up to around 20% over the coming year. CRC-ACS involves more than 100 research staff and students, including 30 full-time specialist research engineers and technicians. For more information on the CRC-ACS, visit: www.crc-acs.com.au