Paweł Czapski is a third-year doctoral student. He conducts research under the supervision of Professor Tomasz Kubiak at the Department of Strength of Materials at TUL.
The subject of my doctoral dissertation thesis is the analysis of the influence of residual stresses occurring during the laminate production process on the stability and load bearing capacity of thin-walled composite structures. In my work, I study and optimise the manufacturing process of fibreglass and carbon composites so as to increase their stiffness and strength, explains Paweł Czapski. It is research on this topic that was awarded in the START competition of the Foundation for Polish Science.
As part of the continuation of the research work, Paweł Czapski is planning a three-month internship at the University of Bath in the UK, financed by the National Science Centre under the Etude 8 programme, where the analysed structures will be examined not only for their stiffness and strength but also their microstructure.
Thin-walled composite structures that Paweł Czapski works on are used in aviation, automotive and wind turbine industries. Optimisation of production processes leads to a significant reduction in the costs of their manufacture.
As FNP informs on its website: "the hundred young researchers awarded this year were selected from a group of 1034 candidates. The list is dominated by women. They account for 54 percent of all winners."
The START Programme of the Foundation for Polish Science is the oldest scholarship programme in Poland for the best young scientists representing all fields of science. Its aim is to support outstanding young scientists and encourage their further scientific development. START Programme winners receive an annual scholarship in the amount of 28 thousand PLN. They can use it for any purpose.