The Automotive Industry 509
Nanobased paints and coatings can also provide improved scratch
resistance. These kinds of paints are now fairly common, particularly
since performance is significantly improved while cost increases are
relatively minor due to the kinds of nanoparticles used. In automobile painting, several different layers and application processes
are employed. Nanobased materials are often used in final clear
coats in a typical fivelayer automotive finish (see Chapter 10). Selfcleaning and selfhealing actions have also been developed and are
also now finding their way into paints. Other kinds of coatings for
frame and other components are less about appearance and more
about prevention of corrosion. In addition to nanobased paints,
the automotive industry has made use of other kinds of coatings
that exhibit specific behavioral actions. These include antifogging
and antireflection coatings for glasses. Many types of nanobased
polymer films are in use, as are nanoclays. Hydrophobic fumed silica
nanoparticles, for example, are widely used in many applications.
Interiors also benefit from innovations in nanobased paints and
coatings on surfaces and glasses, for similar reasons. The fascinating developments of nanobased textiles discussed in more detail
in Section 10.4, including selfcleaning and antimicrobial actions,
clearly have relevance here for seating and other soft surfaces. Additionally, the need for fire retardancy is high in all types of hard
and soft surfaces. Various kinds of oxide nanoparticles and organic
nanoclays are being explored to achieve fire retardancy in various
surfaces and for use as fireretardant fillers in polymers. Many other
material properties come into play in the design of interiors. Tactile
qualities and whether materials feel cold or warm to the touch
are important (see Chapter 5). Seemingly simple objects such as
cup holders could benefit from improved insulation materials (see
Section 9.3).
The potential impact that nanomaterials can have on the design
of electronic systems is simply vast and beyond the scope of this
book, and so is the potential impact on control and communication systems used in automobiles. While components grow
smaller, processing speeds increase. Realtime control systems and
the response times needed are possible now and will only improve
in the future. The controllable responses made possible through
the active suspension systems we’ve described are only indicative of
future possibilities. Of particular interest is the potential value of the
many kinds of sensors and related control systems, with potential
for the overall driving experience to be both aided and enhanced.
The latter include systems that understand and aid in the behaviors of an automobile within a traffic context and even potentially
Nanobased paints and coatings can also provide improved scratch
resistance. These kinds of paints are now fairly common, particularly
since performance is significantly improved while cost increases are
relatively minor due to the kinds of nanoparticles used. In automobile painting, several different layers and application processes
are employed. Nanobased materials are often used in final clear
coats in a typical fivelayer automotive finish (see Chapter 10). Selfcleaning and selfhealing actions have also been developed and are
also now finding their way into paints. Other kinds of coatings for
frame and other components are less about appearance and more
about prevention of corrosion. In addition to nanobased paints,
the automotive industry has made use of other kinds of coatings
that exhibit specific behavioral actions. These include antifogging
and antireflection coatings for glasses. Many types of nanobased
polymer films are in use, as are nanoclays. Hydrophobic fumed silica
nanoparticles, for example, are widely used in many applications.
Interiors also benefit from innovations in nanobased paints and
coatings on surfaces and glasses, for similar reasons. The fascinating developments of nanobased textiles discussed in more detail
in Section 10.4, including selfcleaning and antimicrobial actions,
clearly have relevance here for seating and other soft surfaces. Additionally, the need for fire retardancy is high in all types of hard
and soft surfaces. Various kinds of oxide nanoparticles and organic
nanoclays are being explored to achieve fire retardancy in various
surfaces and for use as fireretardant fillers in polymers. Many other
material properties come into play in the design of interiors. Tactile
qualities and whether materials feel cold or warm to the touch
are important (see Chapter 5). Seemingly simple objects such as
cup holders could benefit from improved insulation materials (see
Section 9.3).
The potential impact that nanomaterials can have on the design
of electronic systems is simply vast and beyond the scope of this
book, and so is the potential impact on control and communication systems used in automobiles. While components grow
smaller, processing speeds increase. Realtime control systems and
the response times needed are possible now and will only improve
in the future. The controllable responses made possible through
the active suspension systems we’ve described are only indicative of
future possibilities. Of particular interest is the potential value of the
many kinds of sensors and related control systems, with potential
for the overall driving experience to be both aided and enhanced.
The latter include systems that understand and aid in the behaviors of an automobile within a traffic context and even potentially