High Performance Powertrain Materials Laboratory

The High Performance Powertrain Materials (HPPM) lab focuses on developing and characterizing new strategies for improving the performance, reliability, and efficiency of powertrain applications in the transportation industries. Conceived by Dr. Dimitry Sediako in 2017, the HPPM lab works closely with R&D leaders, like Eck Industries, Nemak Canada, Nemak Global, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Mercury Marine, and Fortis BC. Having developed strong partnership with international research facilities in the United States (Oak Ridge National Laboratories, and the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center), Australia (the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization), and Europe (HZG-Geesthacht, Germany, and University of Lund, Sweden) the HPPM team develops new lightweight and temperature-resistant aluminum-based alloys while comprehensively studying the effects that different manufacturing processes have on the development of residual stress in complex castings like engine blocks. Together, this research contributes to the strategic direction of the lab – the development of advanced materials and manufacturing processes for the next-generation automotive powertrains. It helps the automotive, marine, aerospace, and manufacturing industries develop higher quality engine components with superior performance. The wide scope of the lab’s engagement includes- Novel lightweight metal alloys - Metal matrix composites - In-situ studies of phase and stress evolution during casting, solidification, cooling and heat treatment - A range of fitness for service testing protocols