Nano-ceramic boosts fuel efficiency

Southfield, Mich.-based Cermet Lab said today it has expanded production of its ceramic nano-particle material, which the company claims improves fuel efficiency in a variety of engine and mechanical applications.

“It works with absolutely anything with metal-to-metal movement,” Dean Rose, CEO of Cermet Lab told the Cleantech Group. “Unlike other lubricants, Cermet’s ceramic particles can be delivered in the existing liquid lubricant of the system, such as oil.”

In the past, engineers have treated metal surfaces with ceramic coatings, but those applications were costly and required the engine to be disassembled, reassembled and tuned. Rose said the company’s coating utilizes oil or other lubricants for delivery to engines.

“Our ceramic particles reduce friction and save in fossil fuel emissions,” Rose said. "And the ceramic material also helps restore metal from corrosion." 

The company’s nano-particles have an average size of 0.1 nanometer and become activated by the heat generated from the friction in an engine or other mechanical system. Nano-engineered materials have also been identified as important for helping reduce carbon emissions (see Nanotechnology reduces carbon, says report).

Rose said Cermet has tested the material in heavy trucks and power generators. And the results have revealed fuel savings of between 5 percent and 15 percent, he said.

Improving fuel economy by reducing friction is a common objective for a variety of applications, which range from rail, military, power generators, industrial equipment and power transmission systems. Government research and development efforts have focused on technology for improving efficiency and fuel economy (see Experts talk cleantech on Capitol Hill).

Ceramic coatings have been around for 40 years and cost about $15,000 to $100,000 for an engine treatment, said Rose. The price of Cermet's material is $199 for 10 milliliters, which functions in one liter of a liquid lubricant like oil.

Rose said the company is scaling up its national and international strategic partnerships and plans to make announcements over the next few months.

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