Elastomers in Energy Transition
The IOM3 Elastomer Group's Afternoon Technical Discussion Meeting series is the main platform for the technical and scientific community in the UK to discuss the use of rubber and elastomers. This meeting will have a particular focus on the uses of elastomeric materials in Energy Transition.
This cutting-edge event delves into the critical role elastomers play in supporting the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions. As industries worldwide focus on reducing carbon footprints and enhancing energy efficiency, elastomer materials offer essential innovations in applications like renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and energy storage technologies.
The Afternoon Technical Discussion Meeting brings together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals to explore the latest advancements, challenges, and future opportunities for elastomers in the rapidly evolving energy sector. Join us to discuss how elastomers are shaping the future of energy transition!
What to expect:
- Expert presentations on cutting-edge elastomer research
- Case studies showcasing successful elastomer applications in energy transition
- Q&As to foster interactive dialogue
Agenda Overview: |
| 13:00 | Registration |
13:30 |
Welcome Address Prof James Busfield, Chair of the IOM3 Elastomer Group |
13:35 |
Energy transition in heavy vehicle sector and its consequences for the use of rubber materials Dr Martin Bellander, Technical Manager Elastomers, Scania CV AB, Södertälje, Sweden |
14:05 |
The use of polymer materials in infrastructure to transport carbon dioxide and hydrogen Dr Ben Alcock, Research Manager, SINTEF Industry |
14:35 |
ZEON Elastomers in BEV Powertrain and Drivetrain and new challenges towards compatibility regarding new eFluids that are used in these systems Dr Björn Nelson, Technical Manager Europe, ZEON |
15:05 |
The application of Dielectric Elastomer Generation in wave energy convertors Tom Mackay, Engineer, Tension Technology International Ltd Dr Ieuan Collins, Innovation Engineer, Wave Energy Scotland |
15:35 |
The permeation of carbon dioxide or hydrogen into elastomers Dr Bernadette Craster, Technology Fellow, TWI |
| 16:05 | Networking Teas & Coffee |
| 17:00 | Close of event |
Session Chairs: |
 Prof James Busfield FREng FIMMM FHEA Dr Roly Whear BEng CEng FIMMM FIMechE Dr Frank AbrahamPresenters: Dr Martin Bellander Dr Ben Alcock CEng MIMMM Dr Björn Nelson |
Abstracts:Martin Bellander - Energy transition in heavy vehicle sector and its consequences for the use of rubber materialsElectrification of the land transport sector has been on the agenda for development engineers since many years. Even if the market has shown a clearly decreased pace recently, the only way forward is believed to be electrification. The passenger car sector is some years ahead of the heavy vehicle sector and have gained some more experience during this time. But how is the use of rubber affected due to the transformation to electric vehicles? Will the need of rubber and rubber parts be lower when fuel systems and combustion chambers, including their cooling systems, are removed, and replaced by electric propulsion?
Ben Alcock - The use of polymer materials in infrastructure to transport carbon dioxide and hydrogenGunnlaugur (‘G’) Erlendsson - We Need to Talk about Tyres
While electric vehicles (EVs) are hailed as the future of sustainable transportation, there's a hidden obstacle limiting their true potential—tyres. Often overlooked, tyres not only impact the range and performance of EVs but are also a significant source of air and microplastic pollution in urban areas. This talk will explore the paradox of EVs running on conventional tyres, which undermine EV efficiency and the environmental benefits of EVs. The talk will also highlight the journey of ENSO to tackling the issue of tyres, using innovative technology to make EVs more successful, by extending EV range, reducing tire pollution and lowering EV operating costs ever mile.
Tom Mackay & Ieuan Collins - The application of Dielectric Elastomer Generation in wave energy convertorsWave Energy Scotland (WES) posit that the application of Dielectric Elastomer Generators (DEGs) may enable an entirely new class of wave energy convertor with numerous benefits over more conventional device types. WES is delivering a strategy to continue supporting development of direct generation wave technology, through a mix of innovation funding, collaborative R&D activity, cross-sector collaboration and sector coordination. Tension Technology International Marine Renewables (TTI-MR) is delivering a second round R&D project for WES assessing the techno-economic viability of their device concept that was created and developed in the preceding round one project. Ieuan will present the “why” and Tom will present the “what” of this innovative work and look at the potential for future application of DEGs in wave energy and the required R&D to achieve that. Bernadette Craster - The permeation of carbon dioxide or hydrogen into elastomersThe permeation of carbon dioxide or hydrogen into elastomers Depending on the application, the supply of CO2 or H2 may be in the gaseous through to liquid phase. The end user does not always know the original and current chemical composition of an elastomer. This can lead to uncertainty in lifetime extension. As a result the implied elastomer properties and ageing rates, through the measurement of the uptake of individual molecules, is of interest. In this presentation, an introduction will be given to methods for exposure of sheet and O-ring elastomers such as HNBR, NBR and FKM to supercritical CO2. The assessment of the materials for weight gain, swelling, barrier performance , mechanical properties, and trapped CO2, will be presented. Parallels will be drawn with data in the literature for the alteration in elastomers on exposure to hydrogen. Suggestions for further study areas will be outlined. |
