Technology simulation and AI provider, Altair is inviting entries for the 2021 Altair Enlighten Awards. This annual award is presented in association with the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) for companies excelling in the area of lightweighting and sustainability initiatives. 

The judging categories for the Award include –

• Sustainable Product – Emissions, lightweighting and safety advances in a production vehicle or major system module
• Sustainable Process – Material reuse/recycling and water conservation advances in manufacturing
• Module Lightweighting – Mass reduction of a vehicle module, subsystem or component
• Lightweighting Enabling Technology – Technology advancement that enables vehicle lightweighting
• Future of Lightweighting – Process, material, or technology not in production, but has significant potential to advance vehicle lightweighting

Speaking about these awards, James Scapa, founder and chief executive officer, Altair said, “Year after year, the Altair Enlighten Award sparks growing interest from policymakers, educators, and engineers to industry leaders from all around the world, and we are proud to use this platform to showcase the most impactful innovations in lightweighting and sustainability.”

Carla Bailo, president and chief executive officer, Center for Automotive Research added that “As the industry moves forward with electrification, the drive for increased lightweighting and sustainability is critical. This award co-sponsored with Altair demonstrates the breakthroughs needed to propel our industry forward.” 

The winners of the 2020 Altair Enlighten Awards included-

Full Vehicle winner: Harley-Davidson Motor Company won the award for utilised electrification to improve energy capacity of its Livewire electric motorcycle by 90 percent, while increasing the ratio of energy capacity to vehicle mass by 60 percent. Nissan was the runner-up in this category.

Module winner: An industry first, Toyota won the top honours for creating a free-standing, two-occupant injection moulded back-frame with no moulded reinforcement for the 2021 Sienna. ZF was adjudged runner-up in this category.

Enabling Technology winner: Mubea bagged this award for developing a glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) tension leaf spring with weight savings of up to 75 percent compared to a standard multi-layer steel spring. DuPont is the runner-up in this category in this category.

Future of Lightweighting winner: Marelli was named the winner for developing a new advanced sheet compression moulded suspension steering knuckle that ensures a 25 percent mass savings compared to the aluminium version used on the Jeep Compass and a 50 percent savings compared to the cast iron version. Nissan was runner-up in this category.