Current Research

Manufacturing the Tweel for Passenger Vehicles

Principal investigators: 

Thomas R. Kurfess and Laine Mears

Graduate students:

Brian Stevenson, Thomas Martens 

Sponsor:

UD Department of Commerce and Michelin 

Brief abstract:

This area is headed by Drs. Kurfess and Mears, focusing on the prototyping, manufacturing, metrology and reliability in producing commercial Tweel assemblies.  The group will also advise manufacturing techniques for other groups exploring new meta-material concepts to be used in the Tweel assemblies.

Impact:

Reduced rolling resistance in tires for passenger cars and trucks can help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Project schedule:

January 2008 to December 2010