New tests and computer simulation methodologies for electric vehicle chassis weight reduction
A new system for purging serum therapy equipment that avoids intravenous infra-medication
March 17, 2021
Identified a molecular mechanism that causes a severe heart arythmia type
March 9, 2021· The objective of the Fatigue4Light project is to optimise the selection of new materials and reduce the implementation time for these solutions
· The project innovation is expected to reduce vehicle chassis’ weight compared to existing solutions
The Center for Structural Integrity, Reliability and Micromechanics of Materials (CIEFMA), a research group of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), takes part in the Fatigue4Light project (Fatigue modelling and fast testing methodologies to optimise part design and to boost lightweight materials deployment in chassis parts) focused on the development of new tests and computer simulation methods to better estimate the fatigue life of chassis components and to select the optimal materials for lighter vehicle chassis.
The project started in February 2021 and will work for four years on the application of new materials tailored to the requirements of vehicle chassis, such as advanced high-strength steels, special automotive stainless steels, high-strength aluminium alloys and hybrid metal-fibre reinforced polymeric materials.
New chassis materials could make electric vehicles 30 % lighter
The goal is to reduce vehicle chassis weight compared to the current solutions, considering eco-design and circular economy aspects. The project’s results will optimise the selection of new materials and reduce the implementation time between material development and the design of a new chassis part.
CIEFMA-UPC contributes to the Fatigue4Light project with its scientific equipment and expertise in the fields of fatigue, fracture, failure analysis, instrumented indentation and advanced microstructural characterization.
The International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE), a consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, takes also part in the project with the role of coordinators.
Positive impact on CO2 emissions, electric vehicle autonomy, driveability and security
The project wants to help build a zero-emissions future by promoting design based on numerical simulation tools. The application of numerical simulation tools at a design stage can help to predict and ensure part performance and minimise production losses by meeting the industry's needs.
Fatigue4Light is one of the first projects tackling weight reduction in automotive chassis parts, a necessary step to further progress in electric vehicle weight reduction or lightweighting.
Horizon 2020 funding plan
Fatigue4Light is funded by the Horizon 2020 European Union Funding for Research & Innovation with a total budget of 4.900.916,13 euros.
The consortium of the project is formed by Eurecat, the International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE), the Research and Innovation Centre of Sweden (RISE), the Lulea University of Technology, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), the Politecnico di Torino (POLITO), ArcelorMittal, Profilglass, Centre Ricerche Fiat (CRF), Magnetto Wheels (MW), Composite Service Europe, Gestamp and the Spanish Association for Standardisation UNE.
Sector
You want to know more?
Related Projects
- Participants in the HybridNeuro project include researchers from the group BIOART, which is part of the CREB of the UPC. The project is designed to establish a new way of analysing the motor system and human musculoskeletal movements, and the transfer of academic research to clinical practice and industry.
- Every year, over four million patients acquire an infection associated with a hospital stay, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organisation. The data indicate that the impact of these infections has led to direct or indirect mortality of 137,000 patients and a cost of seven billion euros annually.
- SARAS: Towards cognitive robotics in surgery Currently, during a laparoscopic or robot-assisted surgical procedure, several units of medical personnel are requested in the operating room: the […]
- The project involves the participation of the Center for Innovation in Electronics, Motion Control and Industrial Applications (MCIA) of the UPC. The main aim is to construct a digital twin to monitor, visualise and manage the state of maintenance of hospital equipment.
