COOPERATIVE RESEARCH FOR COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS
In the early 1980s, Southwest Research Institute worked with the diesel engine industry to meet new particulate emissions limits. Lacking expertise in emissions or aftertreatment technologies, manufacturers focused on improving combustion through engine design. Diesel filters, or diesel particulate traps, were developed as a possible “aftertreatment” solution. However, engine manufacturers, government and academia applied the technology with mixed results.
Various automotive consortia that followed initially addressed performance, emissions and fuel efficiency. Today, consortia are also evaluating battery technology and lubricants for electrified powertrains as focus shifts to decarbonizing the transportation sector. With that in mind, SwRI is hosting the inaugural Global Decarbonized Mobility Summit (GDMS) Nov. 13–17. The GDMS will assemble industry members from multiple automotive-related consortia and joint industry projects at SwRI’s San Antonio headquarters. Throughout the summit, SwRI staff experts will hold sessions on the latest research and development advancements, pathways for lowering emissions through decarbonization, and how the industry can meet the latest technology challenges associated with lowering greenhouse gas emissions. 2
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noun, single: con•sor•ti•um [kuhn-sawr-shee-uhm] noun, plural: con•sor•ti•a [kuhn-sawr-shee-uh]
An association of companies especially formed for a particular purpose. The Global Decarbonized Mobility Summit will highlight a wide range of innovative research, developments and demonstrations of solutions currently happening. The Institute has a long history of guiding collaborative programs that help clients pool resources and funding, enabling SwRI’s next-generation research to reduce or eliminate emissions. The summit will begin with regular project status meetings for automotive consortia members. On Nov. 14, GDMS will open to non-consortia members from automotive, transportation, manufacturing and other mobility sectors to learn about innovative decarbonization technologies. Programming will include expert-led sessions regarding SwRI internal research on the future of mobility as well as a campus tour.
Over the last 40 years, SwRI has run 23 consortia and joint industry programs with one focused on clean diesel engines reaching its ninth phase. Other consortia and joint industry programs featured in this focused issue of Technology Today include oil and gas exploration and production, aerospace safety software tools and industrial robot software cooperative research as well as the four automotive consortia that follow. Consortia are the best way to leverage limited R&D budgets for high risk/high reward future mobility solutions. And SwRI consortia benefit from a longstanding internally funded research program.
Global Decarbonized Mobility Summit
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At about the same time, President Ronald Reagan signed the National Cooperative Research Act. Developed to promote innovation, facilitate trade and strengthen the competitiveness of the United States in world markets, the law limited the antitrust liability of joint research and development ventures. Ten days after the law passed in 1984, SwRI initiated its first multiclient cooperative research program, soliciting joint funding to develop precompetitive research into a consortium studying particulate filter regeneration mechanisms. SwRI was particularly well-positioned to run this consortium as an independent, nonprofit organization already serving government and industry in both the engine and emissions research and development space.
consortium
