Resilient Technologies and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Polymer Engineering Center are working together to perfect a “non-pneumatic tire” that will support excess armor weight, survive IED attacks and still be able to make a clean, 50 mph getaway when escaping enemy combat. The airless tire looks like a honeycomb encased with a thick tread for ground grip.
The four-year, $18 million project is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense. Resilient pursued the development in response to the military’s need for an alternative to their current Humvee, which requires a small amount of air pressure for its tire, and if punctured can leave men stranded.
“The goal was to reduce the variation in the stiffness of the tire, to make it transmit loads uniformly and become more homogenous,” said mechanical engineering professor Tim Osswald. “And the best design, as nature gives it to us, is really the honeycomb.”
Soon, rims will no longer rep auto authority – “How big’s your honeycomb?” will be the new standard.
Looks like Wall Street isn’t the only U.S. market in dire need of government assistance in today’s fragile economy. The auto industry has experienced such a rapid decline since the beginning of the year, the biggest American auto makers are begging for a portion of that infamous $700 billion rescue plan. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi proposed an auto bailout bill yesterday, which could potentially extend the reach of the government funding beyond the financial industry. GM, Ford and Chrysler are seeking $25 billion in urgent assistance. The total bill would be $50 billion.
Hemorrhaging cash due to an extreme lack of consumer purchases, auto makers claim that rigid limitations to borrowing have prevented sales in an industry that is largely driven by credit. GM’s crippled financial standing has grown increasingly evident in recent months: It reported a 45% drop in U.S. sales last month and a net loss of $2.5 billion in the third quarter. Ford is in the best shape out of the three, but still burned through $7.7 billion last quarter.
Autoline blogger John McElroy wisely noted last week that GM was in position for bankruptcy if help didn’t come through soon: “Unless a miracle happens, there’s only one place it can realistically turn to: the Federal Government. The company needs a bridge loan to get it through this downturn. And it needs the money yesterday.”
The next question is: What does this mean for foreign competitors in the U.S. market? Honda sure hasn’t been deterred by global economic turmoil. It even opened a plant in Indiana just last month. Excited president of manufacturing, Yuzo Uenohara, declared: “With continued high demand for the Honda Civic, we are honored and excited to help meet the needs of our customers in North America.”
There’s no doubt that many Americans are frustrated and bitter over the success of foreign manufacturers. But the simple and irreversable truth is that Asian and European models sell, and American makers continue to fall short in satisfying consumer needs and interests. If the bailout does come to pass, hopefully the Big 3 are driven to produce autos that put the customer first.
My hands clench the wheel, horsepower surging the veins of my outstretched arms. Wind whips through the cracked window and my eyes narrow, tracking white dashes that divide bending streets. Rise and dip, pull and push, shift and soar – I am one with the road.
Since the dawn of its time, the automobile has been a symbol of human ingenuity and a source of ultimate pleasure. Driving is a hobby, tradition and experience that contributes to the composite of American culture.
Spoiling the carefree, unadulterated joy of pedal pushing in recent history is the high cost of gas. The culprit’s deterred many a road warrior, dropping activity 3.6 percent, or about 10 billion vehicle miles in July. But now, with oil at half the price per barrel compared with the summer months and the national average falling to $2.656 a gallon, the burden’s been lifted (at least temporarily) for consumers. Driving enthusiasts everywhere are given the green light to hop in, buckle up and rekindle their passion with the open road. So, with this pleasant drop in prices, why not take a trip down memory lane and remember how the car came to be a facet of American society.
The Wheel of Invention
The automobile’s presence in the U.S. was introduced in the late 1800’s; the first successful gas powered car was produced by brothers Charles and Frank Duryea in 1893. The invention boggled the minds and imaginations of Americans. Never before had it been possible to move about the city with such ease. Ladies no longer had to worry about ruining their dress coats. Men enjoyed the control of steering the wheel and shifting gears. Bopping around in a buggy downtown became a symbol of status — a declaration that your family was on the upswing. This sentiment fueled mass production led by Henry Ford, who improved the assembly line for automobile manufacturing and invented a transmission mechanism. Cars became the definition of independence and source of inspiration.
Iconic Heritage
Classic cars have created dazzling moments in movies and television. James Bond represents the ultimate archetype of a versatile driver. In his Aston Martin db5, Bond dodges criminals in high speed chases just moments before skidding to the doorsteps of his date and escorting her to dinner. It was more than a car to Bond; it was his companion.
1968’s Bullitt showcases one of the most influential car chase scenes in movie history, with star Steve McQueen swerving the streets of San Francisco. The sheer intensity of the chase transports viewers to the scene.
Real life famous cars include that of Bonnie and Clyde, which carried the bank robbers around the U.S. in their spree during the Depression. The getaway car was eventually the outlaws’ final resting place when it was riddled with gunfire upon their capture in 1934.
Revered actor Paul Newman had a love affair with racing that started with his movie role in 1969’s Winning. “I’m not a very graceful person,” Newman told The New York Times in 2002. “I was a sloppy skier, a sloppy tennis player, a sloppy football player. The only thing I found grace in was racing a car.” That grace Newman described is a sentiment shared by the most passionate of drivers.
A Timeless Fascination
You don’t have to be Steve McQueen to revel in the joys of driving. People of all different types and backgrounds appreciate the pastime for a unique experience: Like the speed demon, who revs the engine of his ’66 Pontiac GTO while waiting for the traffic light, leaving his mark with skids when it flashes green; or the road-tripper that blasts oldies through scenic routes, in no hurry for his destination; or the 16-year-old novice who’s eager to enter her rite of passage, hands at ten and two and mirrors adjusted; or simply the everyday man or woman who appreciates time coasting the freeway as moments alone with his or her thoughts. The portrait of a car lover takes many forms. And that’s why driving isn’t just a form of transportation — it’s a bonding experience between car and driver.
As the economy declines and adds stress to families, it is important to remember that the simple delights in life are what keep us moving, no matter our financial state.
Resilient Technologies and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Polymer Engineering Center are working together to perfect a “non-pneumatic tire” that will support excess armor weight, survive IED attacks and still be able to make a clean, 50 mph getaway when escaping enemy combat. The airless tire looks like a honeycomb encased with a thick tread for ground grip.