MILAN — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. and the University of Milan have renewed a joint research agreement covering the development of innovative tire technology for three more years.
Pirelli said some of the challenges on tap for the coming years include the use of nano charges to produce tires with low environmental impact, mathematical modeling studies to support the company's Cyber Tire program and the development of innovative materials that can protect tires from aging.
The partners have been collaborating since 2011. The renewal is valued at $1.75 million.
"More than ever these days, innovating and carrying out research is not an option but a must," said Marco Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli's executive vice chairman and CEO.
"Those who do not step up soon disappear from the scene, and those who do not invest are not competitive. Those who instead invest first enjoy greater advantages in the marketplace."
Mr. Tronchetti Provera said the auto industry is experiencing a period of "unprecedented transformation" where automation and connectivity are king.
"In such a dynamic context, it's essential to work very closely with research bodies and the most advanced universities in the world; the University of Milan is certainly one of those," he added.
This new agreement, which runs through 2020, concentrates on two key areas of research: design of innovative materials, and development of products and cyber technologies.
Among the specific fields of research targeted are:
- New materials — modified polymers, nano charges, new materials with low environmental impact, molecular dynamics; and
- Products and cyber technologies development — noise reduction, aquaplaning resistance, tire aerodynamics, development of mathematical models for chips within Cyber Tires to gather data for intelligent control of vehicles and development of other services that add extra value.
The parties' collaboration over the last six years has generated nine patent families and more than 20 international scientific scholarly articles, Pirelli said, and yielded important results in terms of tire performance, safety and sustainability, thanks to the use of advanced materials.
Research over the last three years has concentrated mainly on production and functionality of carbon charges (from graphene to carbon black nanotubes), preparation of modified silicon fiber, and studies on alternative sources of natural rubber, as well as the creation of innovative polymers and self-repairing materials.
There has been notable work in the mechanical sector as well, Pirelli said, including a dozen research contracts for Cyber Tire and Formula 1 focused on the interaction between tires and the road surface.
