GM Makes Breakthough in Memory Alloys

[guitarlix]

WARREN, Mich. - General Motors scientists demonstrated breakthrough developments in smart materials technology at a media briefing today at GM's Research and Development Center.

Shape memory alloys and polymers are examples of types of smart materials that GM is developing for use in its products. Smart materials can change their shape, strength, and/or stiffness when heat, stress, a magnetic field or electrical voltage are introduced. Shape memory alloys, and polymers in particular, "remember" their original shape and can return to it, opening new possibilities for many movable vehicle features.

GM is targeting to integrate smart materials technology into its vehicles by 2010.

"Smart materials will change the look and feel of our cars and trucks," said Larry Burns, GM vice president of Research & Development and Strategic Planning. "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."

Actuators and sensors made from these materials have the potential to improve vehicle performance and fuel economy, and enable new comfort and convenience features. These actuators and sensors can provide significant benefits when they are used to replace conventional motorized or hydraulic devices by reducing vehicle mass, component size and complexity and improving design flexibility, functionality and reliability.

A few example applications include:

• An adaptive interior grab handle that automatically presents itself from a folded position to make for an easier, more intuitive entry into the vehicle,
• Active vehicle surfaces, such as air dams and louvers that adjust to govern airflow, improving aerodynamics and performance, and
• Hood, door latch, and glove box releases for more convenient access.

According to Alan Taub, GM executive director of Research & Development, smart materials are building on previous materials advances GM has introduced over the last several years.

"These new smart materials follow a long list of material applications we are already using," said Alan Taub. "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."

Smart materials are being used in other industries in various applications including medical devices, cell phone antennas, toys and sporting goods.

GM is collaborating with HRL Laboratories and the University of Michigan in developing potential applications. To date, GM has more than 175 U.S. patents issued or pending based on research work and application development in the field of smart materials.

http://www.thecarlounge.com/news/pub...icle_913.shtml

[unkillsam]

GO GM!!!! It's always nice to read articles like this.

Reminds me of the day's when GM was THE technology leader in all aspects of car development.

[likearock00]

I hope they use that technology on the sea of ugly technology I have under the nose of my Silverado....

[rsnumber2]

I hear they are developing a new machine called the T1000 that can change shape as well. I think the program involves a time machine and a young Kiichiro Toyoda ...

[Xeper]

I dont understand how this works.

[MCGARRETT]

I hear they are developing a new machine called the T1000 that can change shape as well. I think the program involves a time machine and a young Kiichiro Toyoda ...

Liquid Metal!!!

Arrrrghhh.....you sooooo beat me to the punch!


I tip my hat to you..


GM already did have T1000 though, it would only change from car shape to rusty pile of garbage shape, so it still needed some work.

[fred96ws6]

This is nothing new it's been around for years just not cost effective. I remember seeing this on the Discovery or Learning channel a few years ago. On the show they even talked about how in auto applications if a car had a wreck and the fender was made out of memory metal that it could be heated and it would return to it's original shape then be repainted.

[Aromanances]

Cool stuff ready for 2010. I wonder how many models with a 3800 and 4 speeds this stuff will be used on?

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

Liquid Metal!!!

Arrrrghhh.....you sooooo beat me to the punch!


I tip my hat to you..


GM already did have T1000 though, it would only change from car shape to rusty pile of garbage shape, so it still needed some work.

Someone mentioned a T1000?

[rsnumber2]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

Liquid Metal!!!

Arrrrghhh.....you sooooo beat me to the punch!


I tip my hat to you..


GM already did have T1000 though, it would only change from car shape to rusty pile of garbage shape, so it still needed some work.

Do you mean the Chameleon XLE, as seen on Saturday Night Live?

[tgagneguam]

I like that Larry Burns. I think he's a real smart fella'. While I'm aware that he specifically has not developed memory alloys for GM, I'm glad he's in GM's employ.

Now, if only he (and his crew) could figure out the lithium-battery conundrum for the Volt...

[fenderbender]

Nice idea, this would be great for dually fenders, many people hit things with them and now it wouldn't matter, they would just return to shape.

[rsbaker]

2010? That interesting. They mentioned that the target date for Volt is 2010. I wonder if this technology will be intergrated into it somehow.

[t-rex]

Originally Posted by Aromanances

Cool stuff ready for 2010. I wonder how many models with a 3800 and 4 speeds this stuff will be used on?

Low blow! But a really good one! Heh Heh Heh.

Bows and tips hat.

[camaro_freak]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

Someone mentioned a T1000?

owie my eyes

rebadging at its finest! Where's the Cimarron: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:1...c_Cimarron.jpg