Sovereign Shape-adaptive Sensor-integrated Composite Marine Propeller (S³CoMP)

Sovereign Shape-adaptive Sensor-integrated Composite Marine Propeller (S3CoMP) logo

Overview

The development of the Sovereign Shape-adaptive Sensor-integrated Composite Marine Propeller (S3CoMP) represents a significant advancement in marine propulsion technology, particularly for large underwater vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and defence platforms. Conventional marine propellers, predominantly manufactured from nickel-aluminium bronze (NAB), present several operational limitations, including high mass, susceptibility to corrosion, fixed geometry, dynamic instability, and significant maintenance requirements. Their weight also increases propulsion energy demand, while conventional manufacturing methods can be labour-intensive, costly, and difficult to scale.

To address these challenges, researchers at the ARC Training Centre for Automated Manufacture of Advanced Composites (AMAC), in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), have developed the S3CoMP concept based on advanced fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites manufactured using automated fibre placement (AFP) technology. The composite architecture offers substantial weight reduction, potentially up to 75% compared with conventional metallic propellers, together with enhanced corrosion resistance, improved dynamic stability, reduced energy consumption, and greater manufacturing consistency. AFP enables precise fibre placement, repeatable manufacture, reduced manual intervention, and a pathway to scalable production of complex, high-performance propeller blades.

A key innovation of S3CoMP is its Shape-adaptive composite blade architecture. Through tailored fibre orientations and advanced design optimisation, the blades are engineered to exploit bend-twist coupling, allowing their geometry to passively adapt to changing hydrodynamic loads during operation. Rather than relying on a rigid, fixed blade geometry, the propeller can respond to variations in loading conditions, improving propulsion efficiency, reducing structural loading, enhancing dynamic stability, and optimising performance across a wider operating envelope.

The project further integrates embedded Structural health monitoring (SHM) sensors within the composite blades. These sensors enable continuous monitoring of critical structural parameters and the early detection of damage, degradation, or abnormal loading during operation. This sensor-integrated approach provides the foundation for condition-based maintenance, improved asset reliability, enhanced operational safety, and reduced lifecycle maintenance costs. The combination of composite materials, shape adaptability, and integrated sensing distinguishes S3CoMP from conventional composite and metallic propeller technologies.

Building on more than 15 years of foundational research and development, supported through collaboration between DSTG and AMAC, S3CoMP is positioned for industrial translation through advanced manufacturing trials, full-scale prototyping, structural and hydrodynamic validation, and integration with additively manufactured metal hubs. The project also provides a pathway towards a Sovereign Australian capability for the design, manufacture, monitoring, and lifecycle management of advanced marine propulsion systems.

Beyond improvements in propulsion efficiency and structural performance, S3CoMP has the potential to reduce acoustic and magnetic signatures, providing important advantages for defence and stealth applications. Its lightweight, corrosion-resistant, shape-adaptive, and sensor-integrated architecture can support the demanding requirements of next-generation underwater platforms.

S3CoMP therefore represents a transformative approach to marine propulsion by combining advanced composite materials, automated manufacturing, adaptive structural design, embedded sensing, and sovereign manufacturing capability. The technology can deliver tailored propulsion performance, lower energy consumption, reduced lifecycle costs, improved reliability, and enhanced operational capability across defence vessels, large underwater vehicles, and autonomous underwater platforms.

  • Automated fibre placement (AFP) is an efficient and reliable manufacturing method for advanced composites. Further improvement in quality, accuracy and production rates can be achieved by the precise control of manufacturing process parameters. However, improper processing conditions can induce random defects within the laminate, which may compromise the structural integrity. The investigation includes the following:

    • Understanding the influence of AFP process parameters on the physical and mechanical characteristics thermoplastic composites.
    • Optimization of AFP process parameters for advanced manufacturing of composites.

  • Marine propellers may encounter several types of impact loadings including collision with floating debris. Experimental and simulation-based underwater impact investigation on marine composites is limited. Resistance to impact damage and residual structural properties are crucial to avoid potential loss of structural integrity and performance. The current project investigates the following:

    • Underwater impact performance of thin/thick marine composites.
    • Finite element based impact performance of composites involving fluid-structure interaction and material property manipulation.
    • Multi-scale modeling of impact damage development on thick composites with geometrical features of a marine propeller.

  • Composite propellers undergo ageing while being submerged in the marine environment. Exposure to varying temperatures and water absorption may affect its mechanical and physical characteristics. The current project thus investigates the following:

    • Use of embedded sensors to detect moisture absorption and its effect on physical and mechanical characteristics due to seawater ageing.
    • Role of crystallinity on the variation of characteristics in thermoplastic composites due to seawater ageing.

  • Current trend in manufacturing is towards digitalization of technologies and processes. Focus has shifted from the performance of single machines and processes towards integration across the entire development chain. 3D printing (Automated Fibre Placement process), extensive digital monitoring framework (embedded sensors), digital twins (virtual simulation) and advanced algorithms (Machine Learning tools such as Artificial Neural Network) are part of major technology pillars towards emerging ‘Industry 4.0’. The project aims at integrating these technologies together for advanced manufacturing of marine composite propellers with enhanced performance.

    • Development of predictive models for performance assessment (including impact behavior) of marine composite propellers.

Publications
    1. Shafaq S; Donough MJ; Farnsworth AL; Phillips AW; Chirima G; St John NA; Ben Arber B; Murphy K; Prusty G, 2025, 'On the ply-wise investigation of the crystalline morphology distribution of in-situ consolidated CF/PEEK composite using Wide-Angle X-ray scattering (WAXS)', Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 192, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2025.108792
    2. Shafaq S; Donough MJ; Bhandari B; Phillips AW; St John NA; Prusty BG, 2025, 'Experimental study on the influence of optimised automated fibre placement processing parameters on the impact response and residual flexural strength of AS4/APC-2 laminates', Composites Science and Technology, 259, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2024.110945
    3. Shafaq S; Donough MJ; Oromiehie E; Islam F; Phillips AW; St John NA; Prusty BG, 2024, 'Parametric process optimisation of automated fibre placement (AFP) based AS4/APC-2 composites for mode I and mode II fracture toughness', Journal of Composite Materials, 58, pp. 2879 - 2895, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00219983241283598
    4. Rowan L. Caldwell, Peter Davies, Mael Arhant, B. Gangadhara Prusty, Compression and hydrothermal ageing after impact of carbon fibre reinforced epoxy laminates, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Volume 184, 2024, 108258, ISSN 1359-835X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2024.108258.​
    5. Shafaq, Donough, M. J., Farnsworth, A. L., Phillips, A. W., St John, N. A., & Gangadhara Prusty, B. (2023). Influence of deposition rates on the mode I fracture toughness of in-situ consolidated thermoplastic composites. Composites Part B: Engineering, 251. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2022.110474
    6. Caldwell RL; Donough MJ; Phillips AW; St John NA; Prusty BG, 2023, 'Dynamic response of composite materials subjected to low velocity impacts in water: A numerical study', Composites Communications, 44, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.coco.2023.101775
    7. Caldwell, RL, A New Method of Underwater Composite Impact Testing. Proceedings of the International Conference of Composite Materials (ICCM 2023), Belfast, Ireland, 30-July-2023 to 04-Aug-2023
    8. Maung, P. T., Prusty, B. G., Donough, M. J., Oromiehie, E., Phillips, A. W., & St John, N. A. (2023). Automated manufacture of optimised shape-adaptive composite hydrofoils with curvilinear fibre paths for improved bend-twist performance. Marine Structures, 87. doi:10.1016/j.marstruc.2022.103327
    9. Shafaq, Matthew J. Donough, Ashleigh L. Farnsworth, Chirima G., Andrew W. Phillips, Nigel A. St John, B. Gangadhara Prusty. Oral Presentation (28th Nov 2023) titled ‘Through thickness crystalline morphology distribution of in-situ consolidated CF/PEEK composites’ ANSTO User Meeting - AUM2023, 26-29 Nov 2023, Hurstville, NSW. Australia
    10. Islam, F., Caldwell, R., Phillips, A. W., John, N. A. S., & Prusty, B. G. (2022). A review of relevant impact behaviour for improved durability of marine composite propellers. Composites Part C: Open Access, 8. doi:10.1016/j.jcomc.2022.100251
    11. Islam, F., Wanigasekara, C., Rajan, G., Swain, A., & Prusty, B. G. (2022). An approach for process optimisation of the Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) based thermoplastic composites manufacturing using Machine Learning, photonic sensing and thermo-mechanics modelling. Manufacturing Letters, 32, 10-14. doi:10.1016/j.mfglet.2022.01.002
    12. Maung, P. T., Prusty, B. G., Oromiehie, E., Phillips, A. W., & St John, N. A. (2022). Design and manufacture of a shape-adaptive full-scale composite hydrofoil using automated fibre placement. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 123(11-12), 4093-4108. doi:10.1007/s00170-022-10527-2
    13. Shamsuddoha, M., Prusty, G. B., Maung, P. T., Phillips, A. W., & St John, N. A. (2022). Smart monitoring of a full-scale composite hydrofoil manufactured using automated fibre placement under high cycle fatigue. Smart Materials and Structures, 31(1). doi:10.1088/1361-665X/ac3b21
    14. Shafaq, Matthew J. Donough, Ashleigh L. Farnsworth, Gleny Chirima, Andrew W. Phillips, Nigel A. St John, B. Gangadhara Prusty ‘ Oral Presentation (12th Dec 2022) titled ‘Investigation of Crystallinity Distribution of In-situ Consolidated CF/PEEK Composites with Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS)’ PPC17, THE 17TH PACIFIC POLYMER CONFERENCE, 11 - 14 December 2022, Brisbane, Australia.
    15. Maung, P. T., Filippou, P., Shamsuddoha, M., & Prusty, G. (2022). FIBRE STEERING EFFECT ON BEND-TWIST RESPONSE OF A FLEXIBLE COMPOSITE PROPELLER. Paper presented at the ECCM 2022 - Proceedings of the 20th European Conference on Composite Materials: Composites Meet Sustainability.
    16. Maung Phyo Thu, Filippou Phil, Shamsuddoha Md, Prusty Gangadhara. Fibre steering effect on bend‐twist response of a flexible composite propeller, Proceedings of the 20th European Conference on Composite Materials (ECCM20), Lausanne, Switzerland, June 26-30, 2022
    17. Herath, M. T., Phillips, A. W., St John, N., Brandner, P., Pearce, B., & Prusty, G. (2021). Hydrodynamic response of a passive shape-adaptive composite hydrofoil. Marine Structures, 80. doi:10.1016/j.marstruc.2021.103084
    18. Maung, P. T., Prusty, B. G., Phillips, A. W., & St John, N. A. (2021). Curved fibre path optimisation for improved shape adaptive composite propeller blade design. Composite Structures, 255. doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112961
    19. Maung, P. T., Prusty, B. G., Shamsuddoha, M., Phillips, A. W., & St John, N. A. (2021). Static and dynamic response of a carbon composite full-scale hydrofoil manufactured using automated fibre placement. Composites Part C: Open Access, 6. doi:10.1016/j.jcomc.2021.100218
    20. Maung, P., Prusty, B. G., White, J. M., David, M., Phillips, A. W., & St John, N. A. (2019). Structural performance of a shape-adaptive composite hydrofoil using automated fibre placement. Engineering Structures, 183, 351-365. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.01.014
    21. Automated Manufacture of Adaptive Composite Hydrofoil” in 4th International Symposium on Automated Manufacturing of Composites, Montreal, Canada, 2019
    22. Optimisation and Development of Composite Marine Propellers and Hydrofoils” in 7th International Congress on Computational Mechanics and Simulation. (ICCMS 2019), IIT Mandi, India 
    23. Herath, M. T., Prusty, B. G., Phillips, A. W., & St. John, N. (2017). Structural strength and laminate optimization of self-twisting composite hydrofoils using a Genetic Algorithm. Composite Structures, 176, 359-378. doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2017.05.012
    24. Maung, P. T., Prusty, B. G., Rajan, G., Li, E., Phillips, A. W., & St John, N. A. (2017). Distributed strain measurement using fibre optics in a high performance composite hydrofoil. Paper presented at the ICCM International Conferences on Composite Materials.
    25. White, J. M., Maung, P., David, M., Phillips, A. W., St John, N. A., & Prusty, B. G. (2017). Hydrofoil manufacture with automated fibre placement. Paper presented at the 9th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 2017.
    26. Herath, M. T., Lee, A. K. L., & Prusty, B. G. (2015). Design of shape-adaptive wind turbine blades using Differential Stiffness Bend-Twist coupling. Ocean Engineering, 95, 157-165. doi:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2014.12.010
    27. Herath, M. T., Natarajan, S., Prusty, B. G., & John, N. S. (2015). Isogeometric analysis and genetic algorithm for shape-adaptive composite marine propellers. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 284, 835-860. doi:10.1016/j.cma.2014.10.028
    28. Herath, M. T., Natarajan, S., Prusty, B. G., & St. John, N. (2014). Smoothed finite element and genetic algorithm based optimization for shape adaptive composite marine propellers. Composite Structures, 109(1), 189-197. doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2013.10.016
    29. Herath, M. T., Natarajan, S., Prusty, B. G., & John, N. S. (2013). Shape-adaptive composite marine propellers - Analysis and optimization. Paper presented at the ICCM International Conferences on Composite Materials.
    30. Herath, M. T., & Prusty, B. G. (2012). Performance analysis and optimisation of bend-twist coupled composite hydrofoils using fluid-structure interaction. Paper presented at the Advances in Applied Mechanics Research, Conference Proceedings - 7th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 2012.
    31. Mulcahy, N. L., Prusty, B. G., & Gardiner, C. P. (2011). Flexible composite hydrofoils and propeller blades. Transactions of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects Part B: International Journal of Small Craft Technology, 153(1), B39-B46. doi:10.3940/rina.ijsct.2011.b1.109
    32. Mulcahy, N. L., Prusty, B. G., & Gardiner, C. P. (2010). Hydroelastic tailoring of flexible composite propellers. Ships and Offshore Structures, 5(4), 359-370. doi:10.1080/17445302.2010.481139
    33. Mulcahy, N. L., Prusty, B. G., & Gardiner, C. P. (2010). Flexible composite hydrofoils and propeller blades. Paper presented at the International Maritime Conference 2010, Pacific 2010.
    34. Flexible Composite Hydrofoils and Propeller Blades, PACIFIC2010 International Maritime Conference, Jan 27-29, 2010, Sydney, Australia.
    35. Mulcahy, N. L., Prusty, G., & Gardiner, C. P. (2008). Optimisation of composite adaptive response with experimental validation. Paper presented at the Civil-Comp Proceedings.

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