Ford Motor Co. is joining forces with Boeing and Northwestern University to more closely research the commercial transportation applications of “nanotechnology” – engineering at the molecular level. The research could particularly advance hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
Nanotechnology could help researchers develop higher capacity hydrogen storage tanks for vehicles – helping make the fuel more practical for the future, said Gerald Schmidt, Ford vp of research and advanced engineering.
This new nanotechnology partnership is another step in the 10-year relationship between Ford and Boeing, which involves a technology exchange program to provide access to each other’s technology and process know-how to benefit their products.
Northwestern University is part of the new alliance as it is one of the pioneers in the field of nanoscience and home of one of the first nanotechnology centers in the country. Ford is also providing a $10 million grant to build the new Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center as part of the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science facility for Northwestern outside of Chicago.