Review of the Research Program of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership: Second Report (BEES)

Released 03.12.08

The FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership is a collaborative effort among the Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), and five major energy companies to manage research that will enable the vision of "a clean and sustainable transportation energy future."  It envisions a transition from more efficient internal combustion engines (ICEs), to advanced ICE hybrid electric vehicles, and to enabling a private-sector decision by 2015 on hydrogen-fueled vehicle development.  At the request of DOE, the NRC has undertaken an effort to provide biennial reviews of the progress of the research program.  Phase I of that review was described in a report issued in 2005.  This second report presents an assessment of the progress in the research program management areas as well as the responses of program management to recommendations provided in the Phase I report.  Covered in this second report are major crosscutting issues; vehicle subsystems; hydrogen production, delivery, and dispensing; and an overall assessment of the program.

Inspired by Biology:  From Molecules to Materials to Machines (BPA, BLS)

Released 02.15.08

Scientists have long desired to create synthetic systems that function with the precision and efficiency of biological systems.  Using new techniques, researchers are now uncovering principles that could allow the creation of synthetic materials that can perform tasks as precise as biological systems.  To assess the current work and future promise of the biology-materials science intersection, the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation asked the NRC to identify the most compelling questions and opportunities at this interface, suggest strategies to address them, and consider connections with national priorities such as healthcare and economic growth.  This report presents a discussion of principles governing biomaterial design, a description of advanced materials for selected functions such as energy and national security, an assessment of biomolecular materials research tools, and an examination of infrastructure and resources for bridging biological and materials science.

Assessment of Technologies for Improving Light Duty Vehicle Fuel Economy; Letter Report (BEES)

Released 02.20.08

In 2001, the NRC released a report-Effectiveness and Impact of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards.  High oil prices and recent legislation mandating a further increase in the CAFE standards have renewed interest in the current and expected technical potential for automobile fuel efficiency.  Accordingly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requested the NRC to provide an objective and independent update of the 2001 study and add an assessment of technologies that have emerged since that time.  This letter report presents an interim assessment of technologies to be analyzed in the study and of the computational models that will be used in that analysis.  Estimated fuel-economy benefits presented in this report reflect those from existing literature and presentations to the study committee.  A final report is scheduled for late spring 2008.