NANOTECHNOLOGY IN FUTURE AUTOMOBILES

BY G.AKHIL (UG scholar)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Why Nanotechnology?At the nanoscale, the physical, chemical, and

biological properties of materials differ in fundamental and valuable ways from the properties of individual atoms and molecules or bulk matter.

Nanotechnology for cars The basic trends that nanotechnology enables for the

automobile are lighter but stronger materials (for better fuel consumption and increased safety)improved engine efficiency and fuel consumption for gasoline-powered cars (catalysts; fuel additives; lubricants)reduced environmental impact from hydrogen and fuel cell-powered cars improved and miniaturized electronic systems better economies (longer service life; lower component failure rate; smart materials for self-repair)

Nanotechnology in TiresTires are one of the early applications of nano

structured materials in automobiles. Carbon black was the first nanomaterial to be used by the automotive industry in tires as a pigment and reinforcing agent.The key to tire performance is the mixture of the rubber – but its optimization requirements can be contradictory (highly complex chemical and physical interactions between the rubber and the filler material): While the tire needs good grip its rolling resistance has to be low as well.

Nanotechnology for Chassis and exterior

Vehicle weight reduction is a key part of car manufacturers' strategies to improve fuel economy. Ford's "Atoms to Engines" team for instance looked at the structure of cast aluminum alloys at near atomic levels. From this work, a detailed analysis of the structure/property/process relationship of the aluminum alloy engine blocks has led to reduced engine weight and, in turn, increased fuel efficiency. Another area is the substitution of mineral glass windows by polymers. However, until recently some key performance specifications had not been reached; scratch resistance and long term ultraviolet resistance remained challenges. Recent advances involving nanotechnology are helping polycarbonate window developers to overcome these challenges.

NanocoatingsThe coating is effective for up to 5 years on the side

windows of a car, this test confirmed that quite an extensive service life can be achieved on windscreens also. Nanovations, with its high-tech “Vision Protect’ is the first windscreen coating manufacturer that has undertaken such a harsh test, simulating real life situations. Driving in bad weather is now safer than ever, because the coating is set on your windscreen when you need it most, long after it has been applied. It not only improves night vision and wet weather visibility as good as, or better than conventional products, but adds to the durability segment as well.

With ‘Vision Protect’, true nanoscale mono layer formulations are now available for use on automotive glass. Unlike traditional glass coatings that cover the surface structure of the glass, creating a thin layer of non-stick chemicals, Nanovations nanotechnology glass treatment ‘Vision Protect’ follows the contours of the glass surface right down to the nanometre level. The results are small nanometre thin layers that are enormously durable, and as you would expect, UV resistant. 

In 2014 , successful testing by an independent, accredited USA laboratory with an astounding 500,000 windscreen wiper cycles confirmed the high performance.. 

This testing procedure was used to simulate durability of wiper blades on a windshield. 

Nanotech in wipers and windows

Audi A9 – Hybrid Car Able to Repair Itself Using Nanotech Material

Heat Transfer Enhancement with Nanofluids for Automotive Cooling

 The friction factor and heat transfer enhancement using different types of nanofluids are studied. The TiO2 and SiO2 nano powders suspended to four different base fluids (pure water, EG, 10 %EG + 90 %W, and 20 %EG + 80 %W) are prepared experimentally. The thermo physical properties of both nanofluids and base fluids are measured and validated with the standard and the experimental data available. The test section is setup including car radiator and the effects under the operating conditions on the heat transfer enhancement analyzed under laminar flow condition. The volume flow rate, inlet temperature, and nanofluid volume concentrations are in the range of (1-5LPM) for pure water and (3-12LPM) for other base fluids, (60–80 °C) and (1–4 %), respectively. On the other side, the CFD analysis for the nanofluid flow inside the flat tube of a car radiator under laminar flow is carried out.

Efficiency of automotive engines The experimental results show that the heat transfer

coefficient increases with the increase in the volume flowrate, the nanofluid volume fraction, and the inlet temperature. Likewise, the simulation results show good agreement with the experimental data with deviation not more than 6 %. In addition, the SiO2 nanofluid appears high values of the friction factor and heat transfer coefficient than TiO2 nanofluid. Also, the base fluid (20 %EG + 80 %W) gives high values of the heat transfer coefficient and proper values of friction factor than other base fluids.

ApplicationsWindows and wipers in automobiles

Improves strength of metals

Fuel efficiency of automobiles

Nanofluids

Future scope  With the influence of nanotechnologies the automotive

industries Playing huge role right now as well as in the future. It might be beyond our expectations of course. In future automotive firms electronically controlled fuel injection, exhaust emission, anti-lock breaking system, automatic air conditioning, head light brightness control, automatic adjustment of driver seat, steering control, electrically controlled hanging etc. The nanotechnology will incorporate the level of artificial intelligence that enables it to compensate for drivers errors. Nanotechnology in association with automotive industries would create wonder

CONCLUSIONThe automotive industry will be influenced by the

development and implementation of nanotechnology. It is our hope to raise the awareness that nanotechnology will positively influence the business of the automotive industry

over the next several years Due to the small size of nano-materials, their physical/chemical properties (e.g. stability, hardness, conductivity ,reactivity, optical sensitivity, melting point, etc.) can be manipulated to improve the overall properties of conventional material .Metal nano particles are being considered for potential use in catalytic converters since the catalytic reactivity is significantly enhanced due to the increased surface area of the metal

ReferencesHartmut Presting, Ulf König, “Future

nanotechnology developments for automotive applications,” Materials Science and Engineering C, pp.737–741, 2003. 

Margarida C. Coelho, Guilhermina Torrão, Nazanin Emami, and José Grácio, “Nanotechnology in Automotive Industry: Research Strategy and Trends for the Future—Small Objects, Big Impacts”, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Vol. 12, 2012.

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