Latest News
Plastics Make 3-D Printing Possible
Autodesk, one of the premier 3-D printing companies out there right now—they make AutoCAD, the pioneering software—has a new app out for iPad that aims to make 3-D printing easier.
Process Modeling Ready to Advance Use of Long-Fiber Composites
In conjunction with several universities and testing labs, the plastics industry has developed process modeling for long glass fiber injection molded composite plastic parts. The technology may open the door to greater use of such materials in semi-structural automotive applications and other areas where strength and stiffness are critical.
Earth Day a Call for Greater Energy Efficiency Solutions
More than a billion people around the world took part in Earth Day celebrations this year, as the nearly 800,000 men and women employed by the U.S. chemistry industry continue to find ways to create a more sustainable future for our planet.
Second Wind: Air-Breathing Lithium Batteries Promise Recharge-Free Long-Range Driving—If the Bugs Can Be Worked Out
IBM-led research to create lithium-air electric vehicle batteries gets a boost from Japanese chemical companies toward the goal of 800 kilometers out of a full charge.
Video: Introducing the Carkoon, a Child Car Seat that Wraps Your Child in Kevlar Upon Impact
The Carkoon is a new child seat developed by British company Cool Technologies that wraps your child in protective Kevlar and a fireproof Nomex airbag upon impact. It even calls emergency services for you.
Obama Administration Announces $14.2 Million in New Funding to Develop Lightweight Materials for Advanced Vehicles
The White House announced a new $14.2 million effort at the Department of Energy to accelerate the development and deployment of stronger and lighter materials for advanced vehicles that will help reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, save drivers money, and limit carbon pollution.
Start Dreaming: Fiat Previews Faster, Lighter 500 Abarth in Vegas
By using carbon fiber for parts like the hood, mirrors and seats, the groups were able to trim the weight of the Fiat 500 Abarth by 200 pounds to about 2300 pounds.
Video: MP4-12C a Mouthful, but McLaren Supercar Excels
The 12C has won attention for a custom-designed, 592-horsepower V-8 and carbon-fiber construction that gives it a dry weight of 2,868 pounds and bragging rights over rival supercars such as Ferrari's 458 Italia coupe, with a dry weight of 3,042.
An Exclusive Ride in the World's First Plug-In Hybrid Supercar
The original concept debuted two years ago at the Geneva Motor Expo and stole the show. Within months the Porsche board approved the project for production and engineers have been working overtime ever since.
Pedestrian Airbag Just Might Save Your Life [VIDEO]
Here’s how it works: When the Volvo V40‘s front bumper hits a pedestrian, sensors register the contact. The hood lifts slightly, and a U-shaped cushion pops out over the front windshield. So, if someone flips over the hood after being hit, the airbag should protect just the spot where the person’s head and neck would most likely smash into the automobile.
OLED Covering Turns Audi Into Surreal Light Show [VIDEO]
Forget about those boring brake and tail lights you see on today’s cars—the future, at least according to German car maker Audi—is far more bright and cheerful.
Plastic Technology Contributes to Sub-One-Ton Electrical Sports Car
The performance data of the Lotus Elise-E lightweight electrical sports car that Evonik Industries (Essen, Germany) presented at the recent Car Symposium in Bochum, Germany are impressive, as is its extensive usage of performance plastics.
Audi Announces A3 e-tron Electric Car Trials For U.S.
The latest program, similar to the A1 e-tron based trial currently running in Munich, Germany, is aimed at gathering data on driver behavior, electric infrastructure requirements, and a new communication network between drivers and electric charging stations using smartphones.
US Government, Industry to Tackle End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling
The Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratory, the Vehicle Recycling Partnership of USCAR and the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council announced the signing of a five-year, multi-million dollar cost-shared cooperative Research and Development Agreement designed to maximize the cost-effective recycling of end-of-life vehicles.
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