William Atkins
Monday, 23 February 2009 21:08
Science -
Climate
Page 1 of 2
The 1/X design concept car by the Toyota Motor Corporation may one day use high-technology materials such as environmentally sustainable seaweed for the main material of its body. In the future, Toyota may use ecologically-friendly plant-base materials for all of its cars and trucks.
The 1/X, or “one-Xth,” isn’t available today but if its project manager, Tetsuya Kaida, has a say in it, the car will be made out of light-weight plant fibers such as seaweed.
Kelp are large seaweeds (or brown algae) that grow underwater in what are called kelp forests. The nutrient-rich, shallow waters that are conducive to the growing of kelp must be below 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).
When these conditions are met, kelp have a high growth rate, with some species growing up to one-half meter (1.5 foot) per day while eventually reaching a maximum length of 30 to 80 meters (about 100 to 260 feet).
In fact, the new 1/X car will be highlighted later in the month at the
Melbourne International Motor Show 2009.
The Motor Show will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2 Clarendon Street, Southbank, Melbourne. It will be open from 5 p.m. local Melbourne time on Friday, February 27, and go to 6 p.m. local time on Monday, March 9, 2009.
Kaida, who is the general ganager of Toyota's Corporate Value Development Project Department, states that currently, "
We used light-weight carbon-fibre reinforced plastic throughout the body frame for its superior collision safety, but that material is made from oil.” [AusAuto.com: “
Toyota seeks kelp for the future”]
However, he adds,
“In the future, I'm sure we will have access to new and better materials, such as those made from plants, something natural, maybe something like paper."
Page two continues with why the 1/X "seaweed car" was named its short but distinct name.
