NEW TECHNOLOGY
Vehicle, Heal ThyselfWARREN, MI (June13, 2007) - General Motors (GM) Research and Development Center scientists have demonstrated breakthrough developments in "smart materials" technology - shape memory alloys (SMAs) and polymers. The automaker is using the new technology to develop a number of innovative automotive products that could soon be part of the vehicles worked on in mechanical and collision repair shops. "Smart materials will change the look and feel of our cars and trucks," says Larry Burns, GM vice president of Research & Development and Strategic Planning. "With these new materials, desired functionality can be programmed in to enable innovative designs, improved efficiency, and new and improved features that will make our vehicles more exciting to own and operate than the automobiles of the past."Types of
Shape Metal AlloysShape memory alloys (SMAs) can be made from a number of different alloy materials. Ideally suited for use as fasteners, seals, connectors, clamps, safety valves, hydraulic couplers and actuators in a variety of applications, SMAs allow tighter connections as well as easier and more efficient installations. Of the eight known SMAs, the following three are used the most:Copper-zinc-aluminum - CuZnAl alloys are of significant current commercial importance. These alloys have a useful transformation temperature that can be modified to work between -100
Vehicle, Heal ThyselfWARREN, MI (June13, 2007) - General Motors (GM) Research and Development Center scientists have demonstrated breakthrough developments in "smart materials" technology - shape memory alloys (SMAs) and polymers. The automaker is using the new technology to develop a number of innovative automotive products that could soon be part of the vehicles worked on in mechanical and collision repair shops. "Smart materials will change the look and feel of our cars and trucks," says Larry Burns, GM vice president of Research & Development and Strategic Planning. "With these new materials, desired functionality can be programmed in to enable innovative designs, improved efficiency, and new and improved features that will make our vehicles more exciting to own and operate than the automobiles of the past."Types of
Shape Metal AlloysShape memory alloys (SMAs) can be made from a number of different alloy materials. Ideally suited for use as fasteners, seals, connectors, clamps, safety valves, hydraulic couplers and actuators in a variety of applications, SMAs allow tighter connections as well as easier and more efficient installations. Of the eight known SMAs, the following three are used the most:Copper-zinc-aluminum - CuZnAl alloys are of significant current commercial importance. These alloys have a useful transformation temperature that can be modified to work between -100
