G+BOARD develops lighter and greener car dashboards

G+BOARD will produce an integrated copper-free automotive dashboard for cars, consisting of an upper instrument panel and a steering wheel. The dashboard will feature conductive patterns, sensors and devices based on multi-functional graphene or reduced graphene oxide. The G+BOARD project will replace the copper wiring and buttons currently used in car dashboards, reducing the number of production steps and lowering vehicle weight, whilst also improving aesthetics and recyclability.

The multi-functional properties of graphene and layered materials will be used to selectively modify the electrical conductivity of the dashboard polymer material. This can allow for internal signal transport and wireless conductive circuits, by replacing traditional copper wiring with integrated conductive paths, as well as sensors and switches to enable better communication between the driver and the environment.

G+BOARD in a nutshell

In 2020, G+BOARD defined the technical requirements for the final set of components, identifying which materials are needed in accordance with their intended applications and targets. G+BOARD also formulated new polymer compounds based on graphene and layered materials, and carried out testing and characterisation.

Working towards a sustainable future

G+BOARD intends to produce complex electrical systems, processed by laser writing inside polymer-based materials, thus reducing the weight of vehicle components and making them easier to recycle. The novel laser writing technology will enable multifunctional components that are fully recyclable, constructed entirely from thermoplastic resin with a small amount of carbonaceous filler.

About the Spearhead Projects

The Spearhead Projects are initiatives designed to increase the technology readiness level (TRL) of graphene-based technolo­gies. Each Spearhead Project is led by an industry-leading company and has specific commercial goals. They each aim to produce a high-TRL prototype or market-ready product by the end of the current phase of the Graphene Flagship in 2023.

The Graphene Flagship’s commitment to the Spearhead Projects is unshakeable: a total of one third of our funding is invested into these ventures, a bold move to maximise the impact of the Graphene Flagship in the innovation ecosystem and the European economy.

Banner: The G+BOARD Spearhead Project aims to upgrade Fiat-Chrysler’s dashboard, to improve automotive functionality, reduce production costs for manufacturers and decrease fuel consumption for end users. Credit: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles