Innovative Materials for Cars

           

          In Japan, researchers are trying to create a strong material out of wood pulp to replace steel parts in cars. This research is hoped to be completed within a decade. Researchers are also working on plastics that can withstand high temperatures to replace metal for parts near the engine. The main motions of the industry is making attempts to make cars lighter. These efforts are being made due to the fact that slimmer cars consume less fuel. 


          The US Department of Energy says a 10% reduction in vehicle weight can improve fuel economy by up to 8%. Researchers at Kyoto University in Japan say a material made from wood pulp could be as strong as steel, but 80% lighter. The researched material is a mix of wood pulp and plastic. They chemically treat the wood pulp which contains of millions of cellulose nanofibres (CNFs), and then put these CNFs into plastic. Blending CNFs with plastics creates a strong, hybrid material that could replace steel in cars. Prof Hiroyuki Yano, who leads the work at Kyoto University, says the material could be used to make door panels, fenders and car bonnets.


Article Link: Hybrid Materials for Cars