Nanotechnologies and the Automotive Sector

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Increasing environmental and safety legislation is driving the development and use of advanced materials in automotive applications. The automotive industry is a major consumer of material technologies and nanotechnologies promise to improve the performance of existing technologies, providing benefits such as: lighter, stronger, harder materials; improved engine efficiency and fuel consumption; reduced environmental impact and increased safety (through advanced catalysts, longer service life and lower failure rates), and reduced costs (e.g. need for less filler or catalyst material).

Nanotechnologies can be used in structural parts, paints and coatings, tyres (better performance), engines (including electric, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles) and powertrain components, fuel additives delivery and storage, lubricants, suspension and braking systems, auto electronics, exhaust systems and catalytic converters.

Interior and exterior parts
The dimensional stability, strength and lightness improvements offered by materials like nanocomposites lend themselves to automotive exterior and interior structural components. Nanoclay-modified polymer composites have been used in exterior (e.g. claddings, trims, glazing) and interior (door pillars, dashboards, air-bag covers) parts. However, complete nanocomposite body frames are still far from a commercial reality.

Engine and powertrain components
Nanocomposites, nanoceramics and nanometals could provide improved wear resistance, corrosion resistance, increased strength and temperature resistance and parts consolidation to various engine and powertrain components, including cylinders, pistons and spark plugs.

Surfaces and coatings
A number of auto companies use nanotechnologies to add special characteristics to product surfaces (through paints and coatings), which can include scratch and corrosion-resistance; colour durability; self-cleaning; improved hardness; UV resistance, and improved thermal performance.

Automotive electronics
Gas sensors are now commercially available, in which a nanostructured semiconductor metal oxide active sensing layer provides improved performance. Advances in nanoelectronics will filter into the automotive market.

Fuel additives
Nanostructured catalysts and electrodes in catalytic converters, fuel cells and batteries require less precious metal material (e.g. platinum) leading to reduced costs and better performance as well as reduced emissions.

Are nano automotive products already on the market?
Yes. Carbon black was the first nanomaterial to be used by the automotive industry in tyres as a pigment and reinforcing agent.

Managing risks and uncertainties
Vehicles sold in the EU must meet the requirements of various environmental and safety standards and directives (falling under the European Whole Vehicle Type Approval: in the UK the Vehicle Certification Agency provides this certification). In addition nanobased automotive structures must meet the requirements of, Euro IV and Euro V regulations governing emissions, NCAP safety testing, End-of-Life, WEEE and Landfill Directives. The disposal of vehicles at end-of-life can be problematic and the environmental, health and safety effects, if any, of nanomaterial disposal still require clarification.

Conclusions
Nanotechnologies have already impacted the automotive sector, with the use of carbon black in tyres a long-standing application. However, the key to wider adoption will be the price-performance ratio and environmental sustainability of nanomaterials, to ensure they become competitive in comparison with traditional automotive materials technologies. Emergence of new engine propulsion technologies (e.g. fuel cell [hydrogen economy], electric and hybrid electric vehicles) that enable the shift to ultra low carbon vehicles will benefit greatly from nanotechnologies.

Below is a SWOT analysis summarising Government understanding, from discussion with stakeholders, of the major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the UK in this sector. Please help to steer future actions and shape the UK business environment by answering the questions on the right hand side of the page.