Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Pixelligent to Improve Fuel Efficiency with DOE – Research Aims to Create Low-Friction Lubricants to Significantly Reduce Fuel Consumption

Home > Press > Pixelligent to Improve Fuel Efficiency with DOE – Research Aims to Create Low-Friction Lubricants to Significantly Reduce Fuel Consumption

Abstract:
Pixelligent Technologies, an innovator in manufacturing nanocrystal dispersions for the electronics, semiconductor and industrial markets, has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory. Research conducted under the CRADA will allow Pixelligent to determine the impact of its advanced nanocrystal dispersions on improving the tribological properties of industrial and automotive lubricants. Initial results have shown that Pixelligent's technology could significantly reduce parasitic energy losses - ultimately helping to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.

Pixelligent to Improve Fuel Efficiency with DOE – Research Aims to Create Low-Friction Lubricants to Significantly Reduce Fuel Consumption

Baltimore, MD | Posted on November 10th, 2012

Approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of the 10 million to 12 million barrels of petroleum per day used for transportation in the United States is lost to parasitic engine and drivetrain friction. Significant reduction in fuel consumption can be achieved by implementing low-friction, resource-conserving lubricants, which is the focus of this CRADA. CRADA's allow government research laboratories like Argonne and private sector companies to work together on collaborative research and development projects for the purpose of speeding up the commercialization of technology.

Pixelligent will use Argonne expertise to provide detailed data on the friction and wear properties of its nanocrystal dispersions blended into formulated and unformulated lubricant fluids. This information will be used by Pixelligent to select and optimize the nanocrystals and capping agents, in order to further develop and commercialized a nanocrystal dispersion that significantly reduces friction in a broad family of lubricants.

"I believe the incredibly talented tribology team and world class tools at Argonne combined with Pixelligent's leading nanocrystal dispersion technology has the potential to deliver a new generation of highly efficient lubricants," commented Craig Bandes, President & CEO of Pixelligent Technologies.

The results of this program will give DOE information on the tribological properties of nano-oxide materials - information, that if properly developed, has the potential to reduce parasitic losses in engines, drivelines, and other industrial systems, and thereby improve energy-conversion efficiency and carbon-emission performance. It will also support DOE in the research and development of potentially advanced low-friction lubricants for legacy vehicles. The legacy vehicle market is large (more than 250 million vehicles the United States) and the potential petroleum savings are significant.

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About Pixelligent Technologies, LLC
Pixelligent Technologies manufactures high-quality Zirconia and Hafnia nanocrystal additives and polymer nanocomposites for the electronics, semiconductor and industrial markets. Pixelligent’s proprietary nanocrystal dispersion technology prevents agglomeration even at high concentrations, and its unique capping process provides precise control over the target applications’ optical, chemical and mechanical properties. This enables Pixelligent to deliver unparalleled transparency, corrosion protection, and scratch resistance to numerous families of polymers from silicones and spin-on glasses to acrylics and epoxies. Pixelligent is actively developing applications with leading-edge technology firms, as well as Fortune 1000 companies.

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Michele Tomlinson
Warschawski
(410) 367-2700 ext.120

Eleana Collins
Warschawski
(410) 367-2700 ext. 127

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