WORCESTER, Mass. (August 25, 2021) — Multiscale Systems, Inc. has been awarded a $250,000 grant as part of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s InnovateMass program.

The program provides funding and technical support to teams who are developing new clean energy technologies or using innovative combinations of existing tech. Awardees must address important energy challenges while supporting the Massachusetts clean energy economy.

Multiscale Systems will be using its grant to fund the continued development of MetaCORE-LD, a sandwich panel with the superior structural properties of advanced composites, but the low costs of commodity thermoplastics.

As a mechanical metamaterial, MetaCORE-LD is light, strong, and safe – and the core can be made with recycled materials. It’s an exciting new alternative to the high-density polyethylene rigid-foam sandwich panels currently used to build most semi-trailer sidewalls.

Semi-trailers move 71% of all freight in the U.S.1, meaning most of our daily life is spent interacting with product that were transported by truck. The semi-trailer is essentially a 10,000-lb box on wheels2, with walls that contribute between 12% and 38% to its total weight3. A reduction in weight – without sacrificing strength or safety – would be a game-changer to the freight market.

The InnovateMass prize will support the retrofitting of several semi-trailers with MetaCORE-LD panels and the accompanying road tests that will demonstrate the capabilities of MetaCORE-LD as a superior sidewall product.

“Building trailers with MetaCORE-LD is the next piece in the clean transportation puzzle,” says Jesse Silverberg, Multiscale Systems’ CEO and Research Director. “Not only will a lighter trailer improve fuel economy, it will increase the profitability per haul and decrease operating costs. It’s a win-win for freight companies and the environment.”

How MetaCORE-LD supports clean transportation:

  • Reducing semi-trailer weight by 5.6% – 27.6%4 will result in fuel savings and improved freight efficiency.
  • A lighter trailer allows for more goods to be transported per payload.
  • Lighter vehicles mean reduced CO2 emissions.
  • MetaCORE (the metamaterial core of MetaCORE-LD) can be made with recycled materials, like PET-G (polyethylene terephthalate glycol).
  • Increasing production of MetaCORE-LD will result in local, clean energy job creation.
MetaCORE-LD [MOX] prototype with carbon fiber reinforced with steel skin. Technology such as this will contribute to clean transportation.

Image: MetaCORE-LD panel prototype made with a carbon fiber reinforced PLA core and steel skin.

MetaCORE-LD render showing internal MetaCORE [MO] cell structure

Image: MetaCORE-LD computational render showing the internal metamaterial cell structure.

About Multiscale Systems:
Multiscale Systems is an advanced materials R&D firm creating new technologies that enhance existing materials through origami-inspired geometric patterns. Our mechanical metamaterial technology creates lighter, stronger, more sustainable products.

About The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC):
MassCEC is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and to secure long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts. MassCEC works to increase the adoption of clean energy while driving down costs and delivering financial, environmental, and economic development benefits to energy users and utility customers across the state.

[1,2] Tarradell, M. (2020, June 22) A Guide to Truck Weight, Classification, and Uses. TSC. https://www.tcsfuel.com/blog/truck-weight-classification/

[3] Wall weight has been calculated based on the densities of sandwich panels, estimating thin and thick wall dimensions for a trailer.

[4] Estimated weight reductions based on make, model, and size of common trailers.

 

###

Media Inquiries

Karen Tisdell
Communications Director
info@multiscalesystems.com

Latest Lab Notes