Lightweight and Sustainable Materials for Automotive Applications

Automotive manufacturers are required to decrease CO₂ emissions and increase fuel economy while assuring driver comfort and safety. In recent years, there has been rapid development in the application of lightweight and sustainable materials in the automotive industry to help meet these criteria. This book provides critical reviews and the latest research results of various lightweight and sustainable materials in automotive applications. It discusses current applications and future trends of lightweight materials in the automotive area. While there are a few books published mainly focusing on automotive applications of metallic lightweight materials, to date there is no available book focusing on a broad spectrum of lightweight materials, including metal, plastic, composites, bio-fiber, bio-polymer, carbon fiber, glass fiber, nanomaterials, rubber materials, and foaming materials, as this work does. The book also includes case studies of commercial lightweight automotive parts from sustainable lightweight materials, providing an invaluable resource to those involved in this in-demand research and commercialization area.

Dr. Omar Faruk

Dr. Omar Faruk works at Powertrain Engineering Research & Development Centre of Ford Motor Company, Canada. He is also associated with the Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, University of Toronto, Canada. He achieved his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from University of Kassel, Germany and was previously Visiting Research Associate at Michigan State University, USA. He has more than 75 publications to his credits including 12 book chapters which have been published in different international journals and conferences. He also edited 2 books, titled "Biofiber Reinforcement in Composite Materials" and "Lignin in Polymer Composites"?published by Woodhead Publishing Ltd and Elsevier Ltd respectively. In addition, he is an invited reviewer for 63 international reputed journals, government research proposals, and book proposals.

Dr. Jimi Tjong

Dr. Jimi Tjong is the Technical Leader and Manager of the Powertrain Engineering, Research & Development Centre of Ford Motor Company, Canada. He achieved his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from University of Windsor, Canada and he is working for more than 30 years at Ford Motor Company. His principal field of research and development encompasses the followings: optimizing automotive test systems for cost, performance, and full compatibility. It includes the development of test methodology and cognitive systems, calibration for internal combustion engines, alternate fuels, bio fuels, lubricants and exhaust fluids, lightweight materials with the focus on aluminum, magnesium, bio materials, battery, electric motors, super capacitors, stop/start systems, HEV, PHEV, BEV systems, nano sensors and actuators, high performance and racing engines, non-destructive monitoring of manufacturing and assembly processes, advanced gasoline and diesel engines focusing on fuel economy, performance and cost opportunities. He has published and presented numerous technical papers in the above field internationally. Dr. Tjong is also an Adjunct Professor at University of Windsor, McMaster University and the University of Toronto in Canada. He continuously mentors graduate students in completing the course requirements as well as career development coaching.

Prof. Mohini Sain

Prof. Mohini Sain specializes in advanced nancellulose technology, biocomposites and bio-nanocomposites at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Forestry. He is cross-appointed to the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry. He is a fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry, UK and Fellow of Canadian Engineering Society. Besides, he is also an adjunct professor at the University of Guelph, University of Lulea, Sweden, Honorary Professor at Slovak Technical University and Institute of Environmental Science at the University of Toronto, and collaborates with American and European research institutes and universities. Prof. Sain holds several awards; few recent ones are Plastic Innovation Award and KALEV PUGI Award for his innovation and contribution to Industry. Author of more than 400 papers and is designated as a "hi-cited" researcher by Reuter Thompson, Prof. Sain hugely contributed to the society at large by translating research to commercialization. He has tens of patents, 30 technology transfers to industry and created new companies for making products ranging from packaging to automotive to building construction to packaging materials. He is also the co-author of the world’s first book on Cellulose nanocomposites, cellulose for electronic devices and has co-edited a number of books on renewable advanced materials. Prof. Sain’s role as a pioneer in creating non-profit organizations those are highly meaningful for society at large.