U.S. DOE to fund automotive composites among 2020 research

 

On Dec. 12, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office published a notice of intent to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled “Fiscal Year 2020 Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research FOA.” This FOA will support a broad portfolio of advanced vehicle technologies, including composites technologies, with the stated goals of strengthening national security, enabling future economic growth, supporting American energy dominance and increasing transportation affordability for Americans.

According to the notice of intent, this FOA may include the following topics:

• lightweight and high-performance fiber-reinforced polymer composites for vehicle applications,
• lithium-ion batteries using silicon-based anodes,
• low-cost electric traction drive systems using no heavy rare earth materials,
• utility managed smart charging,
• platinum group metals content reduction to enable cost-effective aftertreatment for gasoline and diesel engines,
• improved efficiency of medium- and heavy-duty natural gas and propane (LPG) engines,
• energy-efficient off-road technologies directly applicable to the agriculture sector and/or other off-road vehicles,
• energy-efficient mobility systems,
• technology integration and
• transportation and energy analysis.

The Vehicle Technologies’ portfolio includes advanced batteries, electric drive systems; smart charging technologies; energy-efficient mobility technologies and systems; advanced combustion engines and fuels; materials for vehicle lightweighting; technology integration, which includes work with the national network of Clean Cities coalitions; and transportation and energy analysis.