Market research predicts, for the aircraft industry, a large growth in the number of passengers as well as the airfreight rate with the result of this leading to increased competition for the European aircraft industry, the efficiency of new aircraft has to be improved drastically. One approach, among others, is the aerodynamic optimization of the wing. The fixed wing is designed optimally only for one flight condition. This flight condition is described by the parameters altitude, mach number and aircraft weight, all of which permanently vary during the mission of the aircraft. Therefore, the aircraft is just periodically near to the chosen design point. To compensate for this major disadvantage, an `adaptive wing' for optimal adaptation and variation of the profile geometry to the actual flight conditions will be developed. Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus, Daimler-Benz Research and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) are working as project partners on concepts for a variable camber and a local spoiler bump. In this paper a structural concept developed by the DLR for the adaptive spoiler will be presented. The concept is designed under the aspect of adaptive structural systems and requires a high integration of actuators, sensor and controllers in the structure. Special aspects of the design will be discussed and the first results, analytical, numerical as well as experimental, will be presented. Part of the concept design is also the development of new actuators optimized for the specific problem. A new actuator concept for the adaptive spoiler based on a cylindrical tube and activated either by pressure or multifunctional materials (e.g. shape memory alloys) will additionally be shown.

The automotive industry is aiming at both reducing the weight of the vehicles while improving a high level of comfort. This causes contradicting requirements for the systems used for noise and vibration control. Thus, active systems are investigated which may enhance the performance of passive noise and vibration control in vehicles without adding excessive weight. In this paper, basic principles for the implementations of those systems with a focus on the control systems are reviewed. Examples from implementations in automotive applications are presented, including control of engine vibrations, structure borne noise transmitted from the road into the passenger compartment and low-frequency chassis vibrations. Based on adaptive filter systems already widely used in active noise control adaptation of the control algorithms to the specific application scenarios are discussed. This includes different configurations for feedforward and feedback control, single- and multichannel control systems and the utilization of different actuator concepts like active mounts, inertial mass actuators and active tuned absorbers, as well as different control sensors like accelerometers and microphones. Finally, current research topics and respective concepts for the improvement of active control systems are introduced.

Over recent decades, cars have become larger and heavier with every new generation. The main drivers of such a weight increase have been the improved safety and comfort requirements. Decades of R&D investments to tackle this tendency have resulted in a substantial increase in the weight-specific performance of components and assemblies in terms of cost, strength and stiffness. However, the need for weight reduction in future electric vehicles, without unduly compromising performance and safety, is even stronger since additional weight translates into either reduced driving range or in larger, heavier and more expensive batteries. Within this context, the European Green Vehicle project ENLIGHT developed highly innovative lightweight material technologies for application in structural vehicle parts of future volume produced electric vehicles. Among others, ENLIGHT developed thermoplastic matrix composite and associated manufacturing technologies to a stage that they were applicable at least in medium volume production. The material development was complemented by investigating the required manufacturing and assembly technologies as well. In this paper, a summary of the major results obtained during the four-year project year is presented. A special focus is given to a semi-active composite control arm with significant reduced weight but enhanced NVH properties.