A project promoted by the Ministry of the Environment, which has already attracted the interest of car manufacturers, encourages the use of nano cellulose in automotive components
The automotive market is constantly looking for new materials to be used in vehicles. The aim is to reduce the weight of the structure to make the machine more efficient. However, the materials must respect safety standards and be able to compete with steel, which provides lightness and mechanical strength. An alternative, even if expensive, is the carbon fiber, used only on top class cars. In Japan, a new alternative material, called cellulose nanofibre, is being developed.
What it is
Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is a material that is extracted from wood or plant production waste. The wood is chemically treated to remove lignin and hemicellulose, resulting in a material composed of wood’s nano fibers tens of thousands of times thinner than a hair. The nanofibre provides a material with properties comparable to steel but 5 times stronger and lighter. The material can also be injection moulded to obtain complex shapes. Finally, coming from wood, the material is completely biodegradable.
Future uses
Cellulose nanofibre can be used in a wide range of applications on standard machines, such as supercars. The main production targets are external doors, hoods, roofs and other small panels that do not play a major role in safety. In addition, the possibility of obtaining complex shapes allows the production of indoor and dashboard panels of any type. Further information can be found on youtube.
Machines using this material, called Nanocellulose Vehicles or NCVs, see a weight reduction of more than 10%, resulting in fuel savings. Some Japanese car manufacturers, including Toyota, are testing the long-term durability of the materials and have shown great interest in the project. The pinnacle of cellulose nanofiber use can be found in the projects of various institutes in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, with lightweight supercar projects reminiscent of 1980s lines.
