Article Details
  • Published Online:
    May  2026
  • Product Name:
    The IUP Journal of Mechanical Engineering
  • Product Type:
    Article
  • Product Code:
    IJME040526
  • DOI:
    10.71329/IUPJMECH/2026.19.2.46-64
  • Author Name:
    Shaik Mohammed Hussain, Mohammed Asif Kattimani, Mohammed Burhan Saqib, Mohammed Aman and Mohammed Maqsood Ali
  • Availability:
    YES
  • Subject/Domain:
    Engineering
  • Download Format:
    PDF
  • Pages:
    46-64
Volume 19, Issue 2, April-June 2026
Functionally Graded Composite Materials for Drone Structures and Smart Data Engineering: A Comprehensive Review
Abstract

The paper reviews recent advancements in Functionally Graded Composite Materials (FGCM) for smart data engineering systems and drone structures. In aerospace applications, FGCM provide spatially varying properties that enhance the strength-to-weight ratio, thermal resistance, and structural reliability. Realtime performance analysis and predictive maintenance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are improved through the integration of smart data engineering techniques such as sensor-based monitoring and artificial intelligence (AI). This paper covers material design, manufacturing processes, mechanical performance, drone applications, and emerging smart technologies. Furthermore, by enhancing durability and multifunctionality, FGCM support environmental engineering and sustainable energy solutions. Despite these advancements, scaling up production, achieving industrial implementation, and balancing cost-effectiveness with multifunctionality remain significant challenges, besides sustainability and recyclability concerns. This comprehensive review highlights the transformative potential of FGCM across various engineering domains and provides recommendations for future research directions aimed at improving their functionality and facilitating their integration into commercial products.

Introduction

Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are aircraft systems that operate without a human pilot on board.