Technology Wanted

Innovative smart materials for use in vehicle manufacturing

Seeking R&D partnerships for co-development of "smart" materials

Intelligent or smart materials are materials (solid, liquid, gaseous) that react to dynamic environmental

conditions (biotic, abiotic) by changing their material properties, usually autonomously i.e. without

external help.

Another definition of smart materials states that the effect of active mechanisms or the

active addition of energy leads to a fundamentally reversible change in material properties.

Numerous state-of-the-art intelligent materials already exist that are based on natural materials and/or

biological mec hanisms. Today’s microtechnology and nanotechnology also makes it possible to

“merge“ different kinds of materials with very small electronic components (sensors, actuators etc.) in

order to change individual material properties in a specific manner.

Required smart materials

In this case, we are looking for solid smart materials whose material

properties can be reversibly changed by the mechanical effect of force (active/passive), the active

addition of energy or via active control (actuators/sensors). Examples of this are “morphing materials“

that change in strength, in expans ion properties or in s hape when they are subjected to a force. A

cooperative product development project is viable that covers issues from the fundamental biological

concepts to already mark etable technical products.

For the purposes of this tec hnology inquiry, liquid or gaseous smart materials such as paints or

coatings are not of interest.

Important material properties

•

Active systems must preferably remain invisible (actuators, sensors, nano-tubes etc.).

•

Extremely high standard of quality and good material machining properties.

•

Extremely robust and reliable at temperatures between -40° and +50°C.

•

Can be “activated“ an unlimited number of times and is reversible.

Forms of cooperation

We will only consider technology covered by a patent.

The planned R&D activities should take the form of a cooperative contract research project. The aim is

to develop and apply innovative smart materials in the automotive industry. The following options are

viable:

Applied R&D cooperation with research institutes and/or c ompanies.

Cooperative further development of fundamental concepts.

Licensing and/or patent acquisition for innovativ e technology platforms.

Acquisition of innovative products, materials and/or processes.