Description
Engine designers are always looking for alternative approaches to lower cost and emissions and increase fuel economy and performance. One approach to improve automobile designs is through material substitutions. Ceramics may be the enabling technology for many critical components in engines of the future because of their unique heat, wear, and corrosion resistance, light weight, and electrical and heat insulation.

Ceramics have been important in automobiles from the beginning, in spark plug insulators and glass windows (early 1920s). Virtually all catalytic converters in modern automobiles have ceramic honeycomb supports for the catalyst, which has been instrumental in reducing automobile exhaust emissions. Most modern cars also use ceramic oxygen sensors in concert with computer controls to optimize combustion and reduce exhaust emissions. Computer controls and other electronics in automobiles use a large number of ceramic substrates and components which are critical to the performance of the devices. Also, numerous electrical motors are used in modern cars for automated adjustment of seats, windows, etc. Ceramic magnets are used in many of these motors. Recently, ceramic components have been introduced in fuel systems and valve trains of heavy-duty diesel engines. Ceramic composite brake rotors, standard equipment on Formula One racecars, are now being offered on select high-performance passenger vehicles. These ceramic brakes reduce vehicle weight by more than 10 pounds, resist heat-induced fading and are expected to last the life of the vehicle.

Cars of the future may have ceramics in internal engine structural parts, and in wear-resistant applications in fuel systems and in additional components in valve trains, such as valves and valve seats. Futuristic cars also may use ceramic fuel cells for near-emission-free operation.

The following individuals may be contacted by the media regarding ceramic applications in automobiles.

Ray Johnson
Manager of Transportation Materials Program, Oak Ridge National Lab
1 Bethel Valley Rd. • Box 2008
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6066
865/576-6832 (phone) • 865/574-6098 (fax)• johnsondr@ornl.gov (e-mail)
Background: Johnson has directed research on ceramics for advanced engines for more than 15 years.

Arvid E. Pasto
Director-HTML, Oak Ridge National Lab
1 Bethel Valley Rd. • Box 2008
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6062
865/574-5123 (phone) • 865/574-4913 (fax) • pastoae@ornl.gov (e-mail)
Background: Pasto is the research director of the high-temperature materials laboratory, and is an expert in heat engine ceramics.

Jay Scovie
Assistant Manager of Corporate Communications
Kyocera International, Inc.
8611 Balboa Ave.
San Diego, CA 92123
858/576-2674 (phone) • 858/492-1456 (fax) • jay.scovie@kyocera.com (e-mail)
Background: Scovie can speak to Kyocera's long-term involvement with structural ceramic applications for engines.

Gary M. Crosbie
Senior Technical Specialist, Ford Motor Company
MD3182 SRL Bldg.
20000 Rotunda Dr.
Dearborn, MI 48121-2053
313/337-1208 (phone) • 313/323-1129 (fax) • gcrosbie@ford.com (e-mail)
Background: Crosbie is senior technical specialist at Ford Motor Company, where developmental emphasis is on ceramics for electronics, fuel cells, exhaust systems and other automotive needs.