The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently issued a request for information (RFI) to better understand the key opportunities and challenges associated with increased material circularity. According to the DOE, this RFI will inform the departments efforts to advance circular economy technologies and systems in the U.S. In its RFI, the DOE stated: Developing pathways […]
By Peter Pollak, The Aluminum Association (Retired). According to goals announced by the U.S. and European Union, there are widespread commitments to eliminate global carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. An important aspect of achieving a net-zero emissions goal within this time frame is electrifying the global vehicle fleet and switching power generation to renewable energy […]
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By Dean M. Peters, Contributing Writer. For decades automotive companies have been seeking ways to reduce the weight of various classes of vehicles in order to improve vehicle efficiency and fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions. Recently, the forging industry has taken a closer look at its technologies and processes to see how it can […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the REMADE Institute announced more than $16 million in research and development funding for 23 projects that will reduce energy use and carbon emissions associated with industrial-scale materials production, processing, and recycling. Among the projects selected are six that are associated with the aluminum industry. “The transition to […]
Big Blue Technologies has officially begun producing primary magnesium (Mg) metal on its pilot system in Denver, Colorado (Figure 1), which uses a proprietary carbothermal reduction process. Implementing modern high temperature and vacuum engineering solutions, the company aims to introduce the world’s most energy and material efficient primary production process. The company plans to produce […]
Vehicle manufacturers are exploring the use of aluminum, high-strength steel, magnesium, carbon-fiber composites, and other lightweight materials to reduce vehicle mass and improve fuel economy. This approach requires new adhesive chemistries that will mitigate corrosion and thermal expansion issues associated with joining dissimilar materials. PPG was selected for a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) partnership, […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is providing nearly $1.2 million for four new projects to support American steel and aluminum manufacturers in improving energy efficiency, increasing productivity, and accelerating manufacturing innovation. Among the projects to be funded is Alcoa’s “Large Eddy Simulation to Improve Cell Design,” […]
Magnesium is 75% lighter than steel and 33% lighter than aluminum. As the lightest of all structural metals, magnesium has a lot of potential for lightweighting cars and trucks in the aim of improving fuel economy. However, auto makers have been challenged in their attempts to incorporate magnesium alloys into structural car parts. The Department […]
Magna International Inc. — in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and partners Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) US and Grupo Antolin — developed a new, ultralight door architecture that achieves 42.5% mass savings compared to an average current production door. The door-in-white assembly makes extensive use of aluminum, which achieves approximately half of the total […]
