Tires having low rolling resistance
According to the new CAFÉ of the United States, passenger cars require an average mileage standard of 39MPG by 2016. 7% of engine power loss is known to be caused by rolling resistance of a tire when the tire is fully inflated. More than 94% of rolling resistance is known to be resulted from the viscoelastic energy loss of the tire material. In general, rubbers and elastomers, the primary constituent materials of tires, show high viscoelastic energy loss due to their high entropy with cross-linked molecules when they are deformed. Laboratory of Advanced Tire Technology (LATT) of PACCAR Institute at UNT is investigating low viscoelastic elastomers embedding nano-particles and cellulose fibers with a proper material design and vehicle load carrying capability. We are using a multiscale modeling and design technique covering both materials design at a molecular level and structural performance of a real tire model at a macro-scale level.
