Carbon fiber research may improve auto fuel
efficiency
Clemson University chemical engineering professor Amod Ogale has received
research funding from Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop cost-competitive
carbon fibers that are one-tenth the size of a human hair, but stronger
than steel. The grant provides up to $227,000 over a three-year period.
Such carbon fibers are intended for use in automobile manufacturing
to make cars lighter and more fuel-efficient.
According to Ogale, if the price is right, carbon fibers can be used
in making light-weight primary and secondary structures for automobiles
that can double the fuel-efficiency, a critical issue facing the nation
in times of escalating fuel prices. High-end cars such as Mercedes,
Corvettes and even race-cars already use carbon fibers in their construction,
but Clemson researchers hope to make carbon fibers more affordable
for mainstream vehicles.
Carbon fibers when embedded in a carbon matrix are already used in
jetliner brake systems because unlike steel, this composite will not
melt in extreme temperatures caused by friction. Instead, it easily
dissipates heat. In addition, carbon fibers are not sensitive to moisture
and will not rust. They also are excellent for conducting electricity,
even better than copper.
Clemson researchers have worked with colleagues from Virginia Tech
in developing special grades of plastics that can be processed into
carbon fibers. In Clemson labs, these polymers are first converted
into thin fibers that are zapped in a high-intensity UV-chamber. The
fibers are cross-linked and then heat-treated at ultra-high temperatures
to produce light-weight, super-strong carbon products.
Clemson University chemical engineering
professor Amod Ogale is developing cost-competitive carbon fibers
that are intended to make cars lighter and more fuel-efficient.
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