Reinventing the Auto Industry

By Dr. Russell Chianelli, The University of Texas at El Paso, Materials Research and Technology Institute

We are all familiar with the recent difficulties experienced by the U.S. auto industry. In an interview in the Energy Quarterly section of the March issue of MRS Bulletin, GM’s Alan Taub talks with David S. Ginley and Arthur L. Robinson about the future of the auto company, and the significant role that advanced materials will play in a reinvigorated GM. Taub talks about the changing customer demand, especially the emerging market in China.

Part of the process in developing solutions to new market trends was to make the isolated GM research laboratories more aware of emerging consumer demands. This process involved co-operative research with universities, national laboratories and other organizations. Fundamental research was particularly emphasized in collaborations with universities. This process also involved globalization of research, with GM opening laboratories outside the United States.

Taub particularly emphasizes new methods that are available to materials scientists, such as computer simulation of materials design at the atomic and molecular levels. Novel materials for energy storage are also a focus. This approach is consistent with GM’s desire to make advances in vehicles that use renewable energy. Hydrogen storage materials, fuel cells and catalysts are high on the list of important materials areas. Biofuels are also discussed in detail. The interview is highly recommended for materials scientists who want to impact next generation of transportation.

Comments

[Julio R]

Regarding Nubia's commment:
Assuming the following reason why vapor might increase efficiency. My closest guess would be because it is due to a better expansion of the fluid under the same temperature conditions. SO it is possible to increase the efficiency by using a fluid that expands better under a temperature change. BUT the reason I believe we have not seen this technology is based on the following data:
Gasoline Ignition Temperature: 280 C
Pressure Inside Cylinder: <6895 kPa
Critical Point of water: <374 C at 22000 kpa

So in this scenario we are well under the critical point of water and when the maximum pressure inside the cylinder (in load)is reached the boiling point of water is around 285 C or greater which the car is not working at. In this condition it is possible to generate water (liquid) inside the engine.
This will eventually cause pitting in the cylinder walls and literally etch the wall. This system even if it worked, it will require servicing the engine every few thousand miles.

[hector]

Creating new sources of renewable energy is very important because we already know the future extinction of oil and possible damage to the ecosystem. GM is concerning about global warming, renewable energy and savings. Materials science and Engineering it is a good subject to find answers to these questions.

[Nubia]

Good to know that GM is looking forward to transform the automotive industry. Regarding automotive fuels, GM has many patents (e.g. 3645244, 3963012, 3977378, 4458655) on fuel systems that results in higher mileage per gallon. During the '70s a vapor fuel system was developed giving around 100 miles per gallon (patented in 1979, No. 4177779, from El Paso, TX). This is old technology that we should be seeing now, but surprisingly that is not the case. Why is it that we don't see these amazing cars on the streets? Should we continue looking for alternative sources of energy or working in doing more efficient the current ones if we are not implementing them?

[dodge cummins performance parts]

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