Grant: Alliance Grants
University of British Columbia
$159,900.00
Using graphene for the development of novel aluminum alloys with high thermal conductivityand mechanical properties_x000d_
EF 2020-21
Résumé
Technological innovation relies on the availability of materials capable of sustaining diverse mechanical,
thermal, cyclic or environmental conditions. There is a global shift in the transportation industries towards
electrification of vehicles. To support this innovation, however, novel alloys with currently unavailable mechanical, electrical and thermal properties are required. In this NSERC-Alliance program, a novel
multi-process approach based on advanced powder metallurgy process (Spark Plasma Sintering, SPS) will be
combined with a traditional metalcasting process to develop castable Al alloys with graphene-based additives.
The proposed research builds on a strong partnership between researchers from The University of British
Columbia, Nemak Canada (supplier of aluminum (Al) castings to the automotive market) and ZEN Graphene
Solutions Ltd. (mining company and producer of graphene compounds). Graphene is known to have superb
mechanical and thermo-electrical properties. However, its integration (much like other nanomaterials) into
large-scale castings has not been successful to-date. Recent work by the proponents showed, that if the SPS technology is used, graphene-based additives can be efficiently integrated into aluminum castings. As a result, this research program focuses on pioneering industry-driven research consisting of: 1) Identifying optimal graphene additives (e.g., graphene oxide (GO), reduced-GO, pure graphene), 2) SPS processing of graphene containing master alloys, 3) Lab-scale metalcasting experimentation to determine optimal addition levels, casting conditions and blending procedures, and finally, 4) Full-scale manufacture of engine blocks and
cylinder heads with graphene-based additives.
This research has the potential to fundamentally transform the materials used in the transportation industries. By developing ultralight Al alloys with superb mechanical and thermo-electric properties, Nemak and ZEN will spearhead the Canadian manufacturing and mining sectors in technological innovation, and support the inevitable global shift in the transportation industries towards electric modes of transport.
Programme
Alliance Grants
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
British Columbia, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
545362-2019
Name nom
Bichler, Lukas
Department département
Okanagan - Engineering, School of
Organization id
2
Institution établissement
University of British Columbia
Province en
British Columbia
Province fr
Colombie-Britannique
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2020
Competition year année de concours
2019
Award amount
159900
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
602
Area of application group en
Construction, urban and rural planning
Area of application group fr
Construction, urbanisme et aménagement rural
Area of application en
Materials performance
Area of application fr
Performance des matériaux
Research subject code
2002
Research subject group en
Materials science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Research subject en
Materials processing
Research subject fr
Transformation des matériaux
Installment
inst:2 - 2
Partie
1
Nb partie
2
Application title
Using graphene for the development of novel aluminum alloys with high thermal conductivityand mechanical properties_x000d_
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Technological innovation relies on the availability of materials capable of sustaining diverse mechanical,
thermal, cyclic or environmental conditions. There is a global shift in the transportation industries towards
electrification of vehicles. To support this innovation, however, novel alloys with currently unavailable mechanical, electrical and thermal properties are required. In this NSERC-Alliance program, a novel
multi-process approach based on advanced powder metallurgy process (Spark Plasma Sintering, SPS) will be
combined with a traditional metalcasting process to develop castable Al alloys with graphene-based additives.
The proposed research builds on a strong partnership between researchers from The University of British
Columbia, Nemak Canada (supplier of aluminum (Al) castings to the automotive market) and ZEN Graphene
Solutions Ltd. (mining company and producer of graphene compounds). Graphene is known to have superb
mechanical and thermo-electrical properties. However, its integration (much like other nanomaterials) into
large-scale castings has not been successful to-date. Recent work by the proponents showed, that if the SPS technology is used, graphene-based additives can be efficiently integrated into aluminum castings. As a result, this research program focuses on pioneering industry-driven research consisting of: 1) Identifying optimal graphene additives (e.g., graphene oxide (GO), reduced-GO, pure graphene), 2) SPS processing of graphene containing master alloys, 3) Lab-scale metalcasting experimentation to determine optimal addition levels, casting conditions and blending procedures, and finally, 4) Full-scale manufacture of engine blocks and
cylinder heads with graphene-based additives.
This research has the potential to fundamentally transform the materials used in the transportation industries. By developing ultralight Al alloys with superb mechanical and thermo-electric properties, Nemak and ZEN will spearhead the Canadian manufacturing and mining sectors in technological innovation, and support the inevitable global shift in the transportation industries towards electric modes of transport.
