Potential for Industrial Vehicle Electrical Applications

Abstract

Synthetic metals are a branch of material science that deals with conducting organic molecules. The quantum mechanics of these materials show that doping can fundamentally change the conduction method and significantly increase their conductivity. Addition of conductive fillers to these synthetic metals can create a composite with even higher conductivities, with the most promising being carbon nanotubes. Ultimately, most of the research into synthetic metals is utilized for the creation of new technologies, but replacing metal in existing systems has many benefits, such as lighter weight and improved corrosion resistance. Industrial vehicle electrical systems are one such system that could benefit from synthetic metals via simplified manufacturing, assembly, and increased robustness. This paper explores the conduction methods in synthetic metals and carbon nanotubes, looks at past research on synthetic metals and conductive composites, and postulates what future research would be required to, make synthetic metals commercially viable in existing industrial vehicle applications.