This program is aimed at developing new, cost-effective, environmentally
sound materials and process technologies to enable the U.S. transportation
industry to be more energy efficiency through vehicle weight reduction.
Lightweight materials have been identified as necessary for the Department
of Energy-Energy Efficiency (DOE-EE) programs in electric and hybrid
vehicles, assisting those technologies by allowing use of smaller, and
therefore lower cost, battery and drive systems, as well as providing
broader options in the design of the overall vehicle "package."
An important part of this program is Environmental, Safety, and Health
(ES&H) implication of new materials through the life-cycle of the
materials and applications. ORNL
provides technical support and assessment. Phil Sklad, ORNL program
manager, is responsible for monitoring technical progress of projects,
coordinating activities both internally and for the national program,
and interfacing with other national laboratories, industry, and academia.
