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: Investigate and develop ultra-lightweight structural sandwich composite structures made from core materials (foam aluminum, semi-rigid urethane foam, thermoplastic honeycombs, balsawood) and fiber-reinforced composite combinations of multi-ply uni-directional pre-preg). Sandwich composite structures that are common in aerospace applications offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios
Business Objectives: The new core and facing material combinations chosen for this investigation will be uniquely suitable for the requirements of automotive structural applications.
Industry Partners:
- Wayne State University
- MAG-IAS, LLC
- Nimbis Services
NCMS Project Manager: Steve Hale (734) 995-2195
