LANIAUTO

The automotive industry employs a large number of materials, that contribute with their properties  to a correct  functioning, safety, comfort and esthetic of the automobile.

Science and technology have faced challenges in developing high strength, lightweight materials, materials resistant to impacts exhibiting high damage tolerance, and materials offering additional functions, all while providing a smaller carbon footprint.

The National Laboratory for Innovation and Development of Light Materials for the Automotive Industry, LANI-AUTO, has as  a mission to contribute to the development of materials with a  tolerance of  temperatures bellow zero, by applying knowledge of light polymeric materials exhibiting excellent performance at low temperatures and the study of the mechanical behavior of automotive parts using finite element numerical simulations.

What do we do in the LANIAUTO

In this laboratory CIATEC researchers develop fundamental knowledge about light materials for automotive engineering applications. We prepare highly specialized experts to become technological leaders in the industry. For this, we work to:

Creation new manufacturing processes for lightweight materials, based on polymers which are charged with nanoparticles, natural fibers and/or recycled materials to build cheaper, more environmentally friendly materials.

Build prototypes materials and components, which we duly test, to demonstrate their feasibility for use in the automobile.

Determine the material composition for the automotive industry, through specialized characterization services.

Develop numerical simulation models using ANSYS-MECHANICAL, ANSYS-COMPOSITES, and DIGIMAT, with applications in structural and thermal analysis. These tools all applied to optimize mechanical material performance at subzero temperatures for application in the automotive industry.

Formation of human resources

LANIAUTO promotes educational development of undergraduate and postgraduate students using theses focused in the technological problems of the automotive industry.  These theses are developed in conjunction with the study plan of the Interinstitutional postgrdatue program in Science and Technology (PICYT).