Argonne receives cost-shared DOE grants to improve light-vehicle fuel efficiency
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ARGONNE, Ill. (August 30, 2007) – Two Argonne-based
research-and-development projects have been selected to receive grants from
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of an effort to improve the fuel
efficiency of light-duty vehicle engines while promoting collaboration between
researchers in government labs, universities and industry.
"We expect this research to make significant strides toward maximizing
an engine's performance in a cleaner, more economical manner," Secretary
of Energy Samuel W. Bodman said, as he announced a series of awards totaling
$21.5 million nationwide for 11 cost-shared R&D projects last month. "Increasing
the use of clean, renewable fuels will not only help reduce our reliance on
imported oil, but will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions for a more
secure energy future."
These projects are part of President Bush's 20-in-10 initiative, which calls
for replacing 20 percent of the gasoline usage by 2017 through increased use
of clean, renewable fuels and improved vehicle efficiency. Combined with industry
investment, the 11 projects will provide nearly $43 million to support improvement
of engine and combustion systems for the next generation of efficient vehicles.
Improving the engine of a flexible-fuel vehicle can increase performance and
fuel economy, and decrease emissions. A flexible-fuel vehicle is one that can
use different fuels, either mixed in the same tank or with separate tanks and
fuel systems for each fuel. Funding is expected to begin this year (Fiscal
Year 2007, $3.1 million) and continue through FY2010 (FY'08 - $8.6 million;
FY'09 - $7.4 million; FY'10 - $2.6 million), subject to appropriations from
Congress.
One project, based out of Argonne's Transportation Technology R&D Center, will attempt to make flexible-fuel engines more efficient by using advanced
engine technology with in-cylinder sensors to rapidly extract large quantities
of information every time the engine ignites fuel. This in-cylinder technology,
called ionization sensing, provides real-time data to engineers that may enable
them to significantly reduce the size and improve the fuel economy of an engine
without sacrificing power. For this endeavor, Argonne will partner with German
engine manufacturer Mahle
Powertrain, Michigan-based Visteon
Corporation and
Michigan State University. For this project, Argonne has been selected to
receive up to $2.3 million from DOE, which will be matched in large part by
investment from industry.
DOE also announced funding for research in lubrication technology that will
be performed in Argonne's Energy Systems Division. The federal funds will
support research into the use of very small particles of molybdenum disulfide
(MoS 2 ) as a lubricant additive for motor oils. Scientists from the University
of Arkansas, Caterpillar and nanoMech
LLC will also help to develop and test
this new additive. DOE will provide up to $491,000 for this research, and Caterpillar
will make a similar investment.
Argonne was the only DOE national laboratory selected to receive the cost-shared
grants. To view a list of all projects selected by DOE, visit www.energy.gov/news/5298.htm.
Ionization sensing
Ionization sensing is not a new technology, but the DOE grant will enable
researchers to acquire data more quickly and accurately than ever before, according
to Argonne senior technical advisor Bob Larsen.
Advanced ionization sensing will enable scientists to determine optimal spark
and fuel injection timing, detect knock and misfire and allow control of boost
level and exhaust gas recirculation. Ionization sensing will also help to make
flexible-fuel engines more efficient, as it continually detects the proportion
of ethanol in the fuel mix and exploits its favorable attributes.
"The secret to the efficiency of these engines lies in their extraordinarily
high compression ratio," said Larsen. "The increased efficiency of
these engines – perhaps as much as 30 percent higher than conventional engines – is
expected to compensate for the ethanol "penalty" of lower energy
content that yields reduced range for cars that run on mostly ethanol."
Molybdenum disulfide nano-lubrication
To the naked eye, molybdenum disulfide is a greasy black solid that looks
and feels very much like graphite. The root of its slick texture, however,
lies in its molecular structure, in which molybdenum atoms form sheets sandwiched
by layers of sulfur atoms. The weak bonding between the planes of sulfur atoms
allows them to slide over one another easily, resulting in extremely low coefficients
of friction.
Ali Erdemir, senior scientist at Argonne, has spent nearly two decades looking
for ways to reduce friction between sliding surfaces. The new lubricant that
Erdemir and his colleagues have developed might prove especially valuable for
the types of industrial and agricultural equipment that represent many of Caterpillar's
products. "Dust can make its way into the crank case and cause abrasive
wear, so this with this kind of additive the severity of that wear will be
reduced," he said.
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology.
The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic
and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne
researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities,
and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific
problems, advance America 's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for
a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed
by UChicago
Argonne, LLC for
the U.S.
Department of Energy's Office
of Science.
For more information, please
contact Eleanor Taylor (630/252-5510 or media@anl.gov)
at Argonne.
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