The Lightweight Materials Consortium, sponsored by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) LightMAT, aims to develop lighter weight vehicles and increase fuel efficiency.
LightMat is supported by the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and is managed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. DOE is contributing $1.2 million to four projects. Project teams will be required to match the DOE investment.
If the teams are successful in overcoming the technical hurdles associated with producing lightweight auto parts, the materials will be massed produced.
“LightMAT enables DOE’s national laboratories to assist industry with very fundamental scientific research that will make even lighter vehicles possible,” LightMAT director Darrell Herling said. “We asked industry applicants to bring us their biggest technical challenges in implementing lightweight materials, and we’ll bring the right capabilities and knowhow, not available outside the national lab system, to bear on the problem.”
The four projects are:
ArcelorMittal will reinforce extremely thin sheets of advanced high-strength steel with a carbon fiber epoxy coating.
Arconic will work on a metal-ceramic composite brake system.
Magna-Stronach Centre of Innovation will join magnesium with dissimilar metals.
Sapa Technology will develop strong aluminum alloys.
Parts will be manufactured and tested with the assistance for three DOE laboratories.