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GM Develops Smart Materials for Vehicles
by Natalie Anderson
Aside from developing functional systems like GM tailgate handle for
the company's trucks, SUVs and hatchbacks, GM is also developing new
high-end materials for their vehicles in various GM brands. Last week at
the General Motors Corp. Research and Development Center, researchers and
scientist demonstrated their latest development in using the so called
"smart" materials technology for GM products. These GM smart materials
include shape memory alloys and polymers, which can change their shape,
strength, and stiffness accompanied by heat and other certain factors.
Larry Burns, GM Vice President of Research & Development and Strategic
Planning commented: "Smart materials will change the look and feel of
our cars and trucks. With these new materials, functionality can be
'programmed in' to enable innovative designs, improved efficiency, and new
and improved features that will make our vehicles more exciting to own
and operate than the automobiles of the past."
Here are some few examples of GM's development in smart materials:
To control of the airflow into the engine, a shape memory
alloy-activated louver system will be used. This smart material functions to reduce
the cooling airflow into the engine compartment and reduces aerodynamic
drag. The result is improved aerodynamics and drag reduction and rapid
warm-up during cold engine start up. While air dams are frequently
damaged by low-speed impacts during parking situations and certain objects
like ramps, snow, and ice, GM developed an "active" air dam that is
activated by a shape memory alloy. The active air dam can monitor vehicle
speed, and with the use of 4-wheel drive (4WD) configuration, the
vehicle lowers or raises the air dam to improve the vehicle's aerodynamic
drag. Lastly, GM also developed and tested a grab handle that also uses
shape memory alloys to move into position by using a
temperature-activated shape memory combined with the changes in the handle's stiffness.
All of these three newly developed auto parts features a shape memory
alloy.
According to Alan Taub, GM Executive Director of Research &
Development, "These new smart materials follow a long list of material
applications we are already using. A few examples include novel aluminum forming
processes that provide enhanced body panels and lightweighting, polymer
nanocomposites that provide superior mechanical properties at lower
cost, and magnetorheological fluids for improved chassis systems."
"The properties inherent in shape memory alloys and polymers have the
potential to be game-changers in the automotive advanced materials
field, eventually leading to vehicle subsystems that can self-heal in the
event of damage, or that can be designed to change color or appearance."
he further explained.
General Motors plans to incorporate the smart materials technology in
GM branded vehicles starting in 2010.
About the Author
Noah Scott is a 30 year old native of New Jersey, writer, and car fan -
having grown up with both parents being auto enthusiasts. He works for
an automotive consultancy firm and regularly contributes articles to
car magazines.
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