TSE: Sustainable Composite Materials from Renewable Resources for Automotive Applications

NSF/EPA的可持续环境技术项目旨在解决与用可再生资源的天然/生物纤维和汽车用生物塑料替代现有的石油基玻璃纤维-聚丙烯复合材料有关的基本问题。这项研究将集中在：(1)创新的生物纤维表面处理和工程天然纤维的设计；(2)具有可接受机械性能的纤维生物塑料的合成；(3)为冲压工艺生产无气孔生物复合材料板材的加工方法的研究。在加工过程中使用电场增强了对纤维对准的控制。预计这将导致新一代生物复合材料的突破工艺，具有成本效益和环境友好。预计大学与行业的合作将增加材料和工艺工程的知识，并创造一种意识，为汽车和交通行业利用生物资源设计增值复合材料。从这项研究中获得的知识将加强学生和从业者在工程设计方面的教育，以及关注环保制造的制造和生产工程师。

This NSF/EPA Technology for a Sustainable Environment project seeks to address fundamental issues associated with replacing existing petroleum-based glass fiber - polypropylene composites with eco-friendly, sustainable, bio-composites from renewable resource-based natural/bio-fibers and bio-plastics for automotive applications. The research will focus on: (1) innovative bio-fiber surface treatments and the design of engineered natural fibers; (2) synthesis of cellosic bio-plastics with acceptable mechanical properties; and (3) research into the processing methods to produce void free bio-composites sheets for stamping processes. The use of an electrical field during the processing enhances control of fiber alignment.It is expected that this will result in a break-through process for the new generation of bio-composites that is cost effective as well as environmentally friendly. University - industry collaboration is expected to add knowledge of the material and process engineering as well as to create a consciousness in designing value-added composite materials from bio-resources for the automotive and transporation industries. Knowledge gained from this research will enhance the education of students and practitioners in engineering design as well as manufacturing and production engineers concerned with environmentally benign manufacturing.