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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//RLASKEY//CALENDEROUS//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20261001T094259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20121116T203436Z
DTSTART:20110322T193000Z
DTEND:20110322T203000Z
UID:event693@bu.edu
URL:http://physics.bu.edu/internal/events/show/693
SUMMARY:Materials at 200 MPH: Making NASCAR Faster and Safer
DESCRIPTION:Featuring Diandra Leslie-Pelecky\, West Virginia University\nHo
	sted by: Rama Bansil\nPoster: http://physics.bu.edu/posters/2011_Spring/05_
	Pelecky.pdf\n\nPart of the Physics Department Colloquia Series.\n\nYou cann
	ot win a NASCAR race without understanding science.[1] Materials play impor
	tant roles in improving performance\, but also in ensuring safety. On the p
	erformance side\, NASCAR limits the materials race car scientists and engin
	eers can use to limit ownership costs. 'Exotic metals' are not allowed\, so
	 controlling microstructure and nanostructure are important tools in produc
	ing materials that maximize strength while minimizing weight. Compacted Gra
	phite Iron\, a cast iron in which magnesium additions produce interlocking 
	microscale graphite reinforcements\, makes engine blocks stronger and light
	er. NASCAR’s new car design employs an innovative polymer composite calle
	d TegrisTM in the splitter.  This composite can replace significantly more 
	expensive carbon-fiber composites in many applications.\n\nThe most importa
	nt role of materials in racing is safety. Drivers wear firesuits made of po
	lymers that carbonize (providing thermal protection) and expand (reducing o
	xygen availability) when heated. Catalytic materials originally developed f
	or space-based CO2 lasers filter air for drivers during races. Although mat
	erials help cars go fast\, they also help cars slow down safely—important
	 because the kinetic energy of a race car going 180 mph is nine times great
	er than that of a passenger car going 60 mph. Energy-absorbing foams in the
	 cars and on the tracks direct energy dissipation away from the driver duri
	ng accidents.\n\nNASCAR fans–and there are about 75 million of them–und
	erstand that science and engineering are integral to keeping their drivers 
	safe and helping their teams win. Their passion for racing gives us a great
	 opportunity to share our passion for materials science and engineering wit
	h them.\n\n1. Diandra Leslie-Pelecky\, The Physics of NASCAR (Dutton\, New 
	York City\, 2008).\n\nNASCAR® is a registered trademark of the National As
	sociation for Stock Car Auto Racing\, Inc. TegrisTM is a trademark of Milli
	ken & Company.
LOCATION:SCI 107\, 590 Commonwealth Avenue\, 02215
STATUS:CONFIRMED
CLASS:PUBLIC
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