Erzurum Technical University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture Mechanical Engineering Department Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr.  Salih Akpnar’s TÜBİTAK-1001 project 114M408, titled "Improving Thermal Cycle Performance of Structural Adhesives Used in Aviation with Carbon Nanostructural Additive", was awarded by TÜBİTAK Project Performance Award as a result of the evaluation made by TÜBİTAK- Engineering Research Support Group.

In the research project, carbon nanostructures have been added to the adhesive to improve both the static (draw-bending) load performance and thermal cycle performances of structural adhesives used in the aviation field. As a result of the studies, significant increases have been obtained in the damage loads of nanostructured reinforced adhesive connections.

In project scope; 1 PhD thesis, 2 Master's theses have been completed and 9 articles in the SCI journals, 12 international papers and 1 national article have been published .In addition, a new project was presented to TUBITAK in the light of the information obtained from the project and it was accepted by TUBITAK.