Michelin has developed an airless car tyre based on biodegradable material. The car tyre giant is thus taking an important step towards sustainable motoring.
The new car tyre is called Visionary Concept Tire and consists of fully biodegradable materials. The Visionary car tyre is made using 3D printing technology. This creates an airless, biomimetic structure that is firm in the middle and more flexible on the outside (almost like the air sacs of the lungs). The lack of air pressure prevents the tyre from bursting or deflating.
The Visionary Tire is a tyre and wheel in one, which, according to its makers, lasts at least as long as the car itself and can then be completely recycled. Bad weather conditions do not affect the tyre: the tread adapts to the driving conditions through the right amount of materials. The tyre can be adjusted and replenished where necessary, without wasting material.
Three steps
Michelin describes the Visionary Concept through three parts:
1) The airless tyre designed in such a way that it lasts as long as the car. Its durability comes from its honeycomb structure. This is based on natural models (Michelin calls it a generative model; a shape that mimics the natural growth process in the plan, mineral or sometimes even animal world. Coral is a good example of this. It is made of recycled material and is therefore fully recyclable.
2) A tread with a special feature: it can be 'completed' with a 3D printer. The material used, which is based on cold treatment technology, delivers the same performance as a conventional tread. However, there is an important difference: it is fully biodegradable. If a tread is worn out or road conditions change, the tread can be adjusted using 3D printing. In the future, Michelin envisions consumers being able to use additive technologies themselves to add material to the tyre where needed.
3) Finally, the Visionary Concept is 'connected': it communicates with the vehicle and vice versa. This allows users to get direct information about the condition of the tread and programme a re-pressure. The app itself also detects any necessary adjustments.
Michelin claims it wants to take a step forward in sustainable manufacturing with the new tyre. "You would think that manufacturers cannot do much to improve the humble car tyre. But developments in materials, sensors and production techniques create new possibility. With this Vision concept, we are fully harnessing the potential of this. We believe that mobility is essential for human development and therefore want to make it safer, more efficient and environmentally friendly."
In the first proof of concepts, Michelin is still mainly using rubber, but in the teocuture it wants to use materials such as straw or wood chips to make butadiene, a key ingredient for making synthetic rubber.
It is not known when the Visionary car tyre will go on sale.
By: Kelly Bakker
Source: Michelin Internaional
