New Process Will Improve Cost, Reduce Energy Use
WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded $5.7 million to a
two- company consortium to develop an inexpensive and energy-efficient new
process for making titanium metal powder. Under heat and pressure, the
powder can be used to create strong, lightweight items ranging from armor
plating to components for the aerospace, transportation and chemical
processing industries.
The consortium includes DuPont, which will supply the titanium dioxide
as raw material and actively participate in the design and development of a
significantly sized system. The other partner, Tucson-based MER
Corporation, will provide the core technology for converting titanium
dioxide to titanium metal. MER also will conduct experimental work and
build and operate the scaled-up system. The consortium will look to DuPont
and its customers to fabricate aerospace and other parts that demonstrate
the inherent quality of the material produced.
Assuming the two-year project succeeds, DuPont will develop systems to
integrate the overall process, paving the way for large-scale
commercialization.
"DuPont is the world's largest producer of titanium dioxide pigment,
and we see tremendous opportunities to develop new titanium-related
technologies to help us expand beyond our historical core business," said
Richard C. Olson, vice president and general manager - DuPont Titanium
Technologies. "But beyond the business significance, it's gratifying to
know that projects like this can contribute to our nation's security and
improve energy performance."
The process is expected to consume less than half of the energy to
convert titanium ore to titanium metal compared to the current 50-year-old
process. In addition, the new process makes titanium metal powder that can
be directly formed into desired shapes. It allows manufacturers to make
parts faster, with less machining and significantly less scrap.
"DARPA's Titanium Initiative is developing a truly revolutionary
approach to ensuring the supply of what is quickly becoming a strategic
material for our country," said DARPA Program Manager Leo Christodoulou.
"We have made great progress to date and look forward to continued
success."
DARPA manages and directs selected basic and applied research and
development projects for the U.S. Department of Defense. The agency pursues
research and technology projects where risk and payoff are both very high
and where success may provide dramatic advances for traditional military
roles and missions.
Materials and Electrochemical Research (MER) Corporation is a
diversified materials and process development company. MER performs
contract R & D for the U.S. government and industrial clients, and
manufactures niche and advanced engineering materials. Technologies include
nanomaterials, composites of carbon, metals, ceramics and polymers, rapid
manufacturing in metals and cermets, coatings for wear, oxidation,
corrosion and specialty performance, and electrochemical processes
including: fuel cells, lithium ion batteries and metal extraction.
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts
science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better,
safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70
countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services
for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications,
safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking
statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and
projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about
the future, including statements about the company's strategy for growth,
product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial
results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking
statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates,"
"plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of
risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those
discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in DuPont's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its latest annual
report on Form 10-K, as well as others, could cause results to differ
materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to
changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions of
countries in which the company does business; competitive pressures;
successful integration of structural changes, including acquisitions,
divestitures and alliances; research and development of new products,
including regulatory approval and market acceptance, and seasonality of
sales of agricultural products.
SOURCE DuPont
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Related links:
http://www.dupont.com
CONTACT:
Rick Straitman of DuPont, +1-302-999-5226, or
richard.a.straitman@usa.dupont.com
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