Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. is pleased to announce that we and our research partners (RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, J-PARC Center, KEK Institute of Materials Structure Science, Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society and Tokyo University Graduate School of Frontier Sciences) have released a joint report on the results of our joint research related to ADVANCED 4D NANO DESIGN, our company's proprietary technology that utilizes the SPring-8*1 Large-Scale Synchrotron Radiation Facility, the J-PARC*2 Proton Accelerator and Experimental Facility and the K*3 computer to develop new high-performance materials for next-generation tires.
Combining the capabilities of the most cutting-edge research facilities and equipment in all of Japan, our ADVANCED 4D NANO DESIGN is able to accurately and continuously analyze and simulate the internal structures and molecular behaviors of rubber and rubber materials consistently from the nano-scale to the micron-scale. This will allow us to make significant, simultaneous improvements in three key tire performance traits that are generally considered to be inherently contrary: Fuel Efficiency, Grip and Wear Performance. Our concept tire featuring our new Wear-Resistant Max Tread Rubber*4 is one example of a groundbreaking tire developed using ADVANCED 4D NANO DESIGN. The tread rubber used in this concept tire achieves 200%*5 wear resistance while maintaining high-level fuel efficiency and grip performance.
Using ADVANCED 4D NANO DESIGN, Sumitomo Rubber Industries will further increase the pace of our development of advanced new materials as we continue to provide our customers with environmentally friendly and high-performance tires at reasonable prices.
| [Content of Report] |
| The Establishment of ADVANCED 4D NANO DESIGN, a New Tire Materials Development Technology Combining the Capabilities of SPring-8, J-PARC and the K computer-Developing a Tire That Achieves 200% Wear Resistance While Maintaining Fuel Efficiency and Grip Performance |
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| [Joint Research Partner Organizations] |
| RIKEN SPring-8 Center |
| Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute |
| Japan Atomic Energy Agency |
| KEK High Energy Accelerator Research Organization |
| J-PARC Center |
| Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society |
| Tokyo University Graduate School of Frontier Sciences |
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Concept Tire with Wear-Resistant Max
Tread Rubber |
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| | *1 | SPring-8 is the world's most powerful synchrotron radiation facility. (Location: Sayo, Hyogo, Japan) |
| *2 | J-PARC is a proton accelerator and experimental facility that is used for cutting-edge research. (Location: Tokai, Ibaraki, Japan) |
| *3 | K computer is one of the world's most powerful supercomputers in terms of processing capabilities. (Location: Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) |
| *4 | This is a concept tire and, as such, there are no current plans to make it available for sale.
(Max: Refers to our company's highest grade of tread rubber. Tread: The part of a tire that is in contact with the road.) |
| *5 | Compared to the tread rubber used in our company's tires in 2011. |
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| [Figure]
Overview of Collaboration with Japan's Leading Research Facilities |
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