Smart Materials

GM’s development of Smart Materials for automotive use is a breakthrough event for the automotive industry.

Actuators and sensors made from these materials have the potential to improve vehicle performance and fuel economy, and enable new comfort and convenience features. Significant benefits can be realized when smart materials are used to replace conventional motorized or hydraulic devices by reducing vehicle mass, component size and complexity and improving design flexibility, functionality and reliability.

Over the last two years, more than 140 patents have been issued or are pending on applications related to the use of shape memory alloys for automotive use. GM plans to integrate smart materials technology into its vehicles by 2010.

How it works

Shape memory alloys and polymers are examples of types of smart materials that can sense and respond to a stimulus that is introduced such as heat, stress, a magnetic field or electrical voltage. In response, they can change their shape, their dimensions, strength, transparency and stiffness. They “remember” their original shape and can return to it.

These capabilities open new possibilities for introducing movable vehicle features without mechanical, motorized or hydraulic devices that are used on vehicles today.

A few example applications include:

• An adaptive interior grab handle that automatically presents itself from a folded position to make for an easier, more intuitive entry into the vehicle
• Active vehicle surfaces, such as air dams and louvers that adjust to govern airflow, improving aerodynamics and performance
• Hood, door latch, and glove box releases for more convenient access

Download in Acrobat format [.pdf]: Smart Material Media Briefing [446kb] ; Smart Material Application Benefits [30kb]