Materials researchers in the U.S. and Australia are proposing to make automobiles using plastic composites reinforced with cellulose nanoparticles. Nanocelluloses are ultra-strong materials extracted from reforested trees. The idea is to substitute these materials for some of the heavy metallic structures in cars, such as the framework in seats. The advantage is that many components of luxury vehicles could be made from lighter and cheaper materials in place of metals and carbon fiber. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), a 10% reduction in weight will improve a car’s fuel efficiency by 6% to 8%. To develop nanocelluloses for the automotive industry, Futuris Automotive and American Process have secured a partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology, Clark Atlanta University, the Swinburne University of Technology, and the Forest Products Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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