Articles tagged with "high-performance-materials"
When the fastest driver has no pulse
The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) recently showcased the world’s first extreme autonomous motorsport series at Yas Marina Circuit, where driverless race cars equipped with advanced AI algorithms competed at speeds up to 185 mph. Notably, Italy’s Unimore Racing team achieved a 58.87-second lap time during qualifiers, surpassing professional human drivers for the first time on this track. This milestone highlights the rapid advancement of autonomous driving technology, demonstrating that AI can now perform complex, high-speed maneuvers traditionally reserved for human racers. Beyond racing, these developments have broader implications for autonomous navigation in urban delivery and air traffic management. The A2RL cars are based on Japan’s Super Formula SF23 chassis, modified to replace the driver with approximately 143 lbs of sophisticated electronics, including cameras, radars, and LiDAR sensors. These vehicles generate enormous amounts of data—up to 500 gigabytes per lap—to enable real-time perception, planning, and control. The AI systems
robotautonomous-vehiclesAI-racingsensorscomputer-visionLiDARhigh-performance-materialsEnvalior offers PFAS-free materials for wear and friction applications - The Robot Report
Envalior, a global leader in engineering materials formed in 2023 by merging Lanxess Performance Materials and DSM Engineering Materials, is addressing the growing demand for PFAS-free alternatives in high-wear and high-friction applications such as robot actuation. Recognizing the regulatory and health concerns surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including PTFE, Envalior has developed high-performance materials that do not rely on these "forever chemicals." Their Stanyl polyamide 46 (PA46) compounds offer a sustainable, economical, and durable solution for components like timing systems, actuator gears, bearings, seals, and bushings, meeting stringent performance and legal requirements without PTFE additives. Stanyl PA46 stands out due to its high crystallinity, providing superior fatigue and wear resistance, impact strength, excellent flow for thin-walled designs, and outstanding stiffness and creep resistance at elevated temperatures. These properties make it suitable for demanding applications involving high torque, speed,
materialsroboticswear-resistancepolyamide-46PTFE-freetribologyhigh-performance-materialsLeak-proof ceramic 3D printing paves way for next-gen reactors
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have made a significant breakthrough in ceramic additive manufacturing by developing a method to produce leak-tight ceramic components using binder jet additive manufacturing (BJAM) combined with advanced post-processing. This innovation overcomes a major hurdle in scaling ceramic 3D printing for high-performance applications, enabling the creation of larger, complex, and gas-tight ceramic parts that were previously difficult to manufacture. The team demonstrated this by printing components filled with a silicon-carbide pre-ceramic polymer and heat-treating them to form amorphous silicon carbide, achieving the first known leak-tight joint fabricated via additive manufacturing. This advancement not only enhances the fabrication of intricate, resilient ceramic parts ideal for extreme environments—such as those found in pharmaceuticals, chemical processing, aerospace, and clean energy—but also offers economic benefits. BJAM is a cost-effective, faster method compared to other ceramic 3D printing techniques, and ORNL’s joining method allows industries to consider ceramics for broader high-performance
materialsceramic-3D-printingadditive-manufacturingleak-proof-ceramicshigh-performance-materialsbinder-jet-additive-manufacturingnext-generation-reactorsNew heat-resistant plastic can be recycled endlessly without loss
Researchers at Texas A&M University, in collaboration with the University of Tulsa and supported by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, have developed a new high-strength plastic called Aromatic Thermosetting Copolyester (ATSP) that can be recycled endlessly without losing quality. This innovative material is heat-resistant, ultra-durable, and capable of self-healing and shape recovery after damage, making it highly suitable for demanding industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics manufacturing. When reinforced with carbon fibers, ATSP becomes several times stronger than steel while remaining lighter than aluminum, offering a combination of strength and lightness critical for high-performance applications. The research team conducted extensive testing, including cyclical creep and deep-cycle bending fatigue tests, demonstrating that ATSP can endure repeated stress and heat cycles while maintaining or even improving its durability. The material’s unique bond exchanges enable on-demand self-healing at elevated temperatures (around 160 °C to 280 °
materialsrecyclable-plasticheat-resistant-polymeraerospace-materialsself-healing-plasticsustainable-materialshigh-performance-materialsAmerican supercar packs 1200-hp engine, switchable EV system
The Oilstainlab HF-11 is a new American supercar set to debut in 2025, combining hypercar-level performance with innovative drivetrain flexibility. Limited to just 25 units, the HF-11 features two mid-mounted flat-six engine options: a 4.6-liter producing 600 horsepower and a more powerful 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged variant delivering 1,200 horsepower with an extraordinary 12,000 RPM redline. Both engines are paired with rear-wheel drive and lightweight construction, emphasizing driver engagement and dynamic handling. The car’s design draws inspiration from iconic models like the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin Valkyrie, aiming to rival legendary supercars such as the Porsche Carrera GT and Gordon Murray’s T.50. In addition to its internal combustion engines, Oilstainlab is developing an all-electric version of the HF-11 with an estimated 850 horsepower. A unique feature of the HF-11 is the ability to switch between ICE and EV
energyelectric-vehicleshybrid-powertraininternal-combustion-enginesupercarautomotive-technologyhigh-performance-materialsHumanoid robots can benefit from high-performance seals, says Freudenberg
robothumanoid-robotssealing-technologiesautomationindustrial-robotsrobotics-markethigh-performance-materials