(60a) Finding Our Way to Drive Sustainability Forward Through a Global Pandemic

Ford commitment to sustainability does not disappear during a pandemic, resource scarcity, low oil price, or with many other challenges. The presentation will outline how the growth of the automotive industry and R & D efforts encourage the use of cost effective, lightweight, sustainable and advanced materials for automotive applications. Pioneering developments of sustainable and advanced materials by Ford scientists including nanocomposites, aerogels, natural fiber reinforced composites, polymeric and soft materials made from renewable feed stocks, 3-D printed plastic parts, bio-inspired and patterned functional materials as well as plastic parts made from recycled carbon dioxide will be featured.