The LOWBRASYS project promised a radical step forward in the European automotive sector, by designing, developing, testing and validating an innovative braking system able to drastically reduce the PM emissions (target at least 50%, in number and mass) while improving its performance, durability and reliability. The proposed LOWBRASYS solution brought relevant impacts at different levels, the main ones being:
- Innovation and Advance of Knowledge: the LOWBRASYS integrated braking system is the sum of a set of innovative components, materials, control systems, etc., as a result of a concerted collaboration among major players of the EU automotive industry. Important advancements were achieved in extremely important knowledge areas related to: the braking system and the way PM are generated and propagated (i.e. tribology); material science (e.g. coatings, disc and friction materials, etc.), with particular focus on combined effects at different levels (from single component to final braking system on vehicles); better understanding on the effects on human health of very complex phenomena at micro and nano -scale (i.e UFP). The innovations and advance of knowledge brought by the project can be also used for future applications in the automotive sector and beyond.
- Market & Competitiveness: The novel system has had the advantage to contribute to the strengthening of the competitiveness and growth of EU companies by developing innovations that have met the needs of EU and global markets, and by being ready to deliver the LOWBRASYS innovation to the market with a coherent strategy led by prime industrial actors in the sector (part of the LOWBRASYS Team). The project was able to substantially advance the level of competitiveness of the partners and the EU automotive industry in all the value chain (component manufacturers, materials developers, technology providers, car manufacturers, etc.).
- Health: the substantial reduction of emission of PM in mass and numbers has the potential to be translated into reduction of impact on human health with related socio-economic benefits for EU society.
- Environment: the project had demonstrated to have the potential to improve air quality (lowering PM emissions), ecosystem impacts, waste avoiding, and resource efficiency.
- Policies and Directives: LOWBRASYS technology is candidate to become Best Available Technology (BAT) and serve as a basis to support preparation of robust measurement standards and Legislations on non-exhaust PM emissions (where no current legislation is currently applicable). Moreover, is expected that the project will contribute to bridge the transition to zero emission vehicles in urban agglomerations, as well as to 'Super Low Emission Vehicles' standards towards lower PM-emissions and understanding of fundamental processes affecting brake wear particle formation, including ultrafine particles (UFP).
