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Carbon nanotube (CNT) technology has long been touted as a wonder-material that will solve many materials problemsstronger than steel, more conductive than copper, and all with a density equivalent to carbon black! Due to historical limitations on achieving superb CNT dispersion at scale, adoption of carbon nanotubes has been minimal. CNT technology has steadily been progressing and is now commercially being adopted in various applications at large scale- especially those relating to electric vehicles (EVs). Molecular Rebar Design has pioneered the use of discrete, individual, functional nanotubes at scale, and produces a dispersible functional nanotube called Molecular Rebar (MR) that is being designed for use in lithium batteries and new tires. Most transportation modes use tires, and Molecular Rebar’s individual nature helps to improve each aspect of the ‘Magic Triangle’ of grip, wear, and fuel economy for tires without detrimentally affecting other properties. This allows for changing the rules in tire design. Improving road-tire contact surfaces in a variety of vehicles will further allow innovations within the drivetrain system. As one example, tires with MR can reduce downtime thru improved lifetime in off-the-road tires, and as another example MR enhanced tires will improve wear resistance and fuel economy in EVs, lowering barriers to adoption (range anxiety and higher tire costs). A review of current trends in the marketplace, data produced by MRD, and the resultant value propositions will identify how and why discrete carbon nanotubes will become the reinforcing filler of choice for tires, further improving vehicular transportation.
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