Lightweight Automotive Materials for Increased Fuel Efficiency and Delivery Advanced Modeling & Simulation Capabilities to U.S. Manufacturers (LAMP) Program Objective: The objective of this program is to develop and validate cost-effective, high-strength materials technologies that could significantly reduce vehicle weight without compromising cost, performance, safety, or recyclability. The target is to have the automotive industry adopt technology, inserting lightweighting materials into production vehicles within three years. The program shall focus on improved manufacturability and functionality, lowered costs for the deployment of new lightweighting materials, and introducing sustainability considerations into the design process. Additionally, advanced modeling and simulation tools are being developed to reduce the time and costs needed to introduce new lightweight materials into the transportation sector.
Technical Objectives:
- Produce coupons of fiber composite underbody/skin parts with embedded fiber optics.
- Measure the amount of bend that can be achieved in forming of the parts & still maintain an effective communication signal.
- Confirm the manufacturing process will not damage the fiber optic cable or grid.
- The material selections and modeling work shall focus on the forming process characteristics of the fibers and fabrics in the composite materials themselves. This would include the ability to mold compound shapes without wrinkling.
Business Objectives: Demonstrate the de-weighting capabilities of low cost continuous fiber pre-preg type composites in automotive structures/architecture
Industry Partners:
- MAG-IAS, LLC
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell
NCMS Project Manager: Steve Hale (734) 995-2195
