The invention of synthetic cordierite (Mg2Al4Si5O18) and extrusion die technology in the early 1970s led to the advent of the ceramic-based catalytic convertor, of which the US EPA commented “The automotive catalytic converter, in particular is considered to be one of the great environmental inventions of all time.“ Building on this invention, wall-flow particulate filters with unique porous microstructures, made from a variety of temperature resistant ceramic materials including cordierite, silicon carbide and aluminum titanate now remove the bulk of particulate from gasoline and diesel exhaust.
This talk focuses on one example material science-based innovation for pollution control, highlighting the development and introduction of the aluminum titanate-based diesel particulate filter for passenger cars, first introduced in Europe and now used widely for diesel passenger cars and heavy-duty trucks. The material choice, microstructure development, product development and application to the vehicle system will be discussed. The author will also share some experienced-based pragmatic suggestions, based on this material/product example, for those introducing material science-based products into the marketplace.