Summary

Applications of nanomaterials in various disciplines have increased dramatically due to their superior properties when compared to their bulk material. Many kinds of nanomaterials are available but metal nanoparticles are more commonly used since they can be easily prepared and characterized. They can be reliably synthesized by physical and chemical methods in laboratories. Metal nanoparticles have already been reinforced into many substrates to enhance the properties such as electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and to strengthen the substrates. For example TiO2 nanoparticles have been used to improve hardness and thus wear resistance.

Static electrical charge could be built on the tires due to the abrasion, while dynamic electrical charge could be built due to the short circuits of the electrical instruments in the vehicle. These static and dynamic electrical charges can be adversely effect on the passengers and it can also cause explosions, while transporting petroleum liquids. Therefore, there have been various safeguard methods to discharge static and dynamic electrical charges. Grounding wrist straps is one of the safeguard methods; however it is susceptible for more human errors. Then the other method is using grounding chains, however this can lose its effectiveness when it lost the connection with the floor. Then the most effective method is using electrically conductive tires, because tires are always connecting with the floor. Various methods have been used to make electrically conductive tires. One such method is to add conductive metal wires into the connecting lines of tread and bead. However in this method there was no proper way to prevent the charges which were generating on the tread. Then the other attempt was coating the tires by using conductive substances like copper and aluminium alloys. However, when the tires are rubbing the road this coating could be peeled off. Therefore an effective method are needed to make the electrically conductive solid tires. In this collaborative project, nanomaterials will be reinforced with rubber materials to produce electrically conductive solid tires.

Objectives

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