Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario announced plans this week to develop stronger and lighter steel with a $1.2 million grant from the natural sciences and engineering research council.
Looking specifically at the automotive sector, graduate students will work with faculty in the school’s engineering and science department and also steel industry experts.
Associate dean of engineering Ken Coley told media the project has environmental benefits too. “If you can make the vehicles lighter, you save fuel. About 10 per cent reduction in weight of a vehicle translates to about 8 per cent reduction of fuel, and reduction in fuel means reduction in greenhouse gasses, so that’s really the big push for this.”