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Center for Low-Emission Transport
CENTER FOR LOWEMISSION TRANSPORT
The Center for Low-Emission Transport is developing more efficient vehicles. The focus here is on two key technologies for sustainable mobility: the electrification of vehicles and new materials for lightweight construction.
IIn both areas, material development, semi-industrial processing technology and component design form the pillars for the integrated deployment of innovative vehicle system components. Research focuses on the further development of battery technologies and management systems, power electronics and electric propulsion, vehicle simulations, high-quality light metal alloys and sustainable manufacturing processes, as well as functionally integrated lightweight components.
Everything in the Competence Unit Electric Drive Technologies revolves around electrification in vehicles and aircraft. 55 researchers are working on improving electrical energy storage systems and the electric drive train. The Battery Technologies area is researching the current and next generation of batteries, with the aim of increasing the energy content of the batteries, reducing costs and manufacturing the batteries in an environmentally friendly way. The research area Propulsion Technologies covers power electronics including electric motor control, thermal management including comfort, driving dynamics, as well as icing and vehicle integration issues. The LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen is leading the way in the development and characterization of new materials. The subsidiary of AIT celebrated its 25-year anniversary in 2019. In this quarter of a century, the LKR has built up extensive expertise and knowhow in developing high-quality light AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
metal alloys, sustainable manufacturing processes, functionally integrated lightweight components as well as new technologies such as wire + arc additive manufacturing of aluminium and magnesium. Our 50-strong LKR team is researching the light metals aluminium and magnesium in order to develop efficient, safe and environmentally friendly mobility solutions.
Comet Project AMALFI In order to make light metals fit for future industrial applications, the LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen is pooling its expertise with 12 project partners from industry and science. The LKR research team will explore and further develop new types of aluminium and magnesium alloys, taking into account different production and processing chains. In addition, the AMALFI consortium also focuses on the development of new types of microstructure and structural models for aluminium and magnesium alloys. These models have the potential to significantly advance the development of future Al and Mg alloys, in particular through virtual numerical simulation.
Top expertise in Wire-AM To help wire + arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) achieve a breakthrough as a key technology in industry, LKR scientists have been researching this robust manufacturing technology and the special wires required for several years. In PROFILE AND HIGHLIGHTS LKR's in-house smart wire manufacturing route, new Wire-AM-grade aluminium and magnesium materials are pressed and wound into welding wires. In the newly built Additive Manufacturing Laboratory, these special wires can be assembled into a complex 3D component by means of material-specific process control, a multi-axis robotic system and state-of-the-art torch technologies. In addition to the experimental Welding and Wire AM developments, the LKR is researching the related topics of FEM-based material and process simulation, online monitoring, data management, CAD-CAM interface, as well as inline process control.
Major HORIZON 2020 project "3beLiEVe" is picking up speed Batteries without cobalt and with sensor technology are a key project goal. After more than a year of highly intensive preparatory work, the commitment has paid off: The "3beLiEVe" project has been approved and is one of the largest Horizon 2020 projects coordinated by AIT at EUR 10.8 million (of which EUR 1.6 million alone by AIT). The consortium consists of 21 research institutions, industrial companies and SMEs from 10 different European countries. At AIT, the Center for Low-Emission Transport and the Center for Vision, Automation and Control are involved. The project is coordinated by the LET Competence Unit Electric Drive Technologies and runs through June 2023.
Christian Chimani, Head of Center for Low-Emission Transport & Managing Director LKR
Battery research The development of batteries as the centerpiece of modern electric drive concepts is currently receiving a great deal of attention. Great efforts are being made worldwide to make this electric energy storage unit as efficient, powerful, cost-effective, and safe as possible. Building on a holistic research and development approach, the AIT experts are driving the progress of these technologies with great speed.
