Technological Development of CNT Wires for Ultra High Performance Motors Selected as Theme for Ministry of the Environment Project
- Now verifying applicability of CNT wire to transport motors -
"Technological development of carbon nano tube (CNT) wire for ultra high performance motors to reduce carbon generated during transportation," a theme proposed by Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., has been selected for the "2017 FY Low Carbon Technology Research and Development Program" implemented by the Ministry of the Environment.
Furukawa Electric will work with co-implementer National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Nanomaterials Research Institute) and Shinshu University Institute of Carbon Science and Technology (project advisor), to verify the applicability of CNT wire to transport motors.
Background
CNT is a material formed from sheets of carbon atoms joined together in a hexagonal shape. These sheets are then formed into hollow cylinders. This material offers a range of benefits such as 20 times the strength of steel and excellent metallic conductivity—at one-fifth the weight of copper. A type of nano carbon material, CNTs are expected to reduce weight and greatly improve performance for electronic components. This ultralight and highly functional material will be crucial in realizing a low carbon society.
If CNT wire can further reduce the size of motors, it could lead to such developments as the practical use of in-wheel motors. In addition to reducing CO2 and conserving energy, the technology could improve comfort and safety during transportation, such as increasing space within vehicles and improving automatic operation driving performance.
Content
"Technological development of CNT wire for ultra high performance motors to reduce carbon generated in transportation," a theme proposed by Furukawa Electric based on the results of its research thus far, has been selected for the "2017 FY Guided Technological Development/Verification Project to Strengthen Measures to Reduce CO2 Emissions Project" implemented by the Ministry of the Environment. Running from the 2017 FY to the 2019 FY (planned), the aim of this project will be to verify the applicability of CNT wire to motors, through developing CNT coils for transport motors.
Furukawa Electric will continue to leverage the high strength, ultralight, and environment resistance properties of CNT, and to reduce wire weight and loss in order to help bring about an energy conservation society—beginning with the transportation field.
About Furukawa Electric Group
Furukawa Electric (TSE; 5801, ISIN; JP3827200001) Group started business in 1884, when its copper-smelting facility and wire manufacturing factory was established. Since then Furukawa Electric has become pioneers in the latest technologies by addressing diverse technological issues. Furukawa Electric has released products in a number of areas, including telecommunications, electronics, automobiles, and construction, with the three types of materials it works with at their core, namely, optics, plastics, and metals. Many of these products have attained the top global market share, and all of its products have contributed to society in numerous business areas. Furukawa Electric reported consolidated revenues of JPY 843.3 billion (approximately USD 7.8B) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.