U.S. Government: Electric Cars Also Need Advanced Structural Materials. See BMW.
Recent news confirms that electric cars also need innovation in advanced structural materials, particularly carbon fiber. For example, the Economist reports that BMW plans to launch a new plug-in electric car in 2013 including carbon fibers as a core structural material (see July 10, 2010 issue, page 78; see additional reporting).
Carbon fiber comprises small fibers, not quite nanoscale, e.g, seven microns thick, which are processed into yarns and materials which are lighter and stronger than steel. For example, carbon fibers are used in race cars to protect drivers. They can be used in aircraft wings and mountain bikes, etc. Trust us: the defense department has interest in these materials.
Hence, the U.S. government should continue to promote both fundamental and applied advances in carbon fiber technology and advanced structural materials.
Better nanochemistry and nanomaterials in batteries is critical, as we have stressed. But ....
the structural materials needed should not be ignored in government's thinking on this subject. Carbon fibers, for example, will be better if the power of nanotechnology is used to improve them.
In the BMW process, polymer chemistry will be used to make the carbon fibers. Precursor polymers are spun into fibers and carefully pyrolyzed to make carbon fiber. We have also noted that the polymer chemistry chapter of nanotechnology has been under appreciated over the past decade. Polymers are long chain molecules that can bend, coil, or align into nanostructures depending on the flexibility of the chain. The nanostructures can work together to make advanced materials which will distinguish the future from the past with proper chemistry, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Dendrimers are but one example of exciting advanced polymer technology.
Perhaps Obama could visit a series of carbon fiber plants to supplement his battery visits??? BMW apparently will make its carbon fibers in Moses Lake, Washington (through a joint venture).
The importance of advanced polymer chemistry turns up in many other clean and nanotechnologies including organic solar cells and lighting (e.g., OLEDs).
Also important is the international aspects of this development (e.g., inflow of technology from Korea and Germany) and the need for joint ventures. US-based companies and researchers will not hold all the answers for better batteries and materials for electric cars.