The main objective of the DAHLIAS project is to optimise hybrid joining (Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding, RFSSW, with an adhesive sealant bond) for application in aircraft structures. RFSSW is a solid-state joining technology especially applicable to lightweight alloys in similar and dissimilar configurations. The process has been successfully applied to difficult-to-weld and non-weldable alloys and is considered a potential replacement of mechanical fastening. Overlap joints in aircraft structures require the use of sealants for corrosion protection reasons. Using sealants with an adhesive function would complement the high quality joints produced by RFSSW by not only protecting against corrosion but also contributing to the overall mechanical performance of the structure. To achieve the main goal of this project a work plan consisting of eight work packages has been devised. Two work packages are focused on the RFSSW process development using standard samples with and without adhesive sealant. In parallel the adhesive sealant technology, including surface pre-treatment will be developed. The hybrid joining solution developed in this project will be compared to conventional joining technologies to define its potential. Hybrid joining brings a number of advantages to production and performance of aircraft structures. The change from differential to integral design introduces new challenges in the analysis of mechanical performance. Hence, the damage tolerance behaviour of hybrid joints is also investigated in this project. Quality control methods will be investigated by selecting NDT methods and by process control based on online monitoring of parameters. In the last phase of this project technology demonstrators will be produced to evaluate the capabilities of the proposed technology in actual aircraft structures. The consortium (3 R&D and 2 industrial partners) has the exact fitting, prooven expertise and high excellence. HZG (coordinator) holds key patents.

Currently Thailand clearly lacks in capacities to supply the beverage industry with adequately trained students and qualified non-academic staff. There are either technical engineers with technical knowledge & skills, but lacking of deeper knowledge on food quality, hygiene, production processes, etc., or food scientists, less skilled in engineering and without deeper knowledge in beverage technology. Now the Thai beverage industry trains their employees in house or in a limited number by Universities or overseas. The last option is only possible for few selected employees. A proper structured and sustainable collaborative concept for high quality continuing professional development (CPD) training for beverage technology is not established.To overcome these gaps a consortium of Thai and EU universities and companies of the beverage industry will establish systematically an independent joint Academy, with hubs in Thailand and EU, to enable a new sustainable collaboration between the partners for a continuing needs analysis, for developing new demand driven educational products using innovative pedagogical approaches and teaching tools to be used in CPD and higher Education (HE). Special emphasis will be given also to hygiene and environmental aspects and skills like teamwork, critical thinking and English language. The developed educational products will be qualified according international standards and implemented in a postgraduate master, in existing curricula to have an optional focus in beverage technology with the option for double/joint degrees with EU universities. Further the Academy will establish a high quality and certified LLL program using existing facilities and a certification scheme for different profiles like quality and safety manager, brewing technologist, wine technologist, etc.With the postgraduate education and the CPD training an impact will be achieved both in short time as well long term with the tuned curricula.