The Northwest Alliance for Transportation Technologies (NATT) is a partnership working to address national technological challenges by focusing relevant industrial and research capabilities on specific transportation goals. This partnership combines the strengths of national laboratories, research universities, the Boeing Company, lightweight metal power to manufacturers, with abundant, low-cost help meet its objectives. The Alliance provides a format for these diverse, innovative noncompetitive entities to develop solutions for a variety of projects. NATT activities are co-funded by the industrial participants and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Advanced Automotive Technologies. The initial mission is to assist the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV), a Presidential initiative, in achieving its goals.

Our Mission

PNGV PARTNERSHIP

In 1993, the U.S. government teamed with the three major domestic automakers (Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors) in a partnership to develop technologies necessary to create the motor vehicle of the future. The partnership aims to strengthen U.S. competitiveness by producing a mid-sized vehicle with performance and price similar to today's cars, but with triple the fuel efficiency, greatly reduced emissions, and 80 percent recyclability. A key to achieving PNGV goals is to reduce the weight of the vehicle by 50 percent. Weight reduction will be achieved primarily by using lightweight materials to replace current steel components. A lighter vehicle will also enable use of more efficient propulsion systems.

PNGV faces several obstacles, including a lack of low-cost lightweight materials, and effective manufacturing and joining technologies for these materials. Once these obstacles are overcome, PNGV will be better positioned to deliver significant environmental, energy, and economic benefits to the United States. Fuel-efficient vehicles will lessen our reliance on foreign oil supplies—especially as our population continues to grow and more people use motor vehicle transportation. Further, the U.S. automobile manufacturing industry is integral to the nation's economy, accounting for one in seven U.S. jobs. Technological improvements of this kind will help position U.S. industry for world leadership.

WHAT IS NATT?

NATT is a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) initiative comprised of multiple regional industrial sectors brought together to improve U.S. industrial technologies. Partners will focus on the research and formulation of advanced cost-effective, lightweight materials; advanced manufacturing processes; and prototype or pilot-scale development.

The proposed NATT partnership will include the Boeing Company; Northwest lightweight aluminum, magnesium, and titanium producers; other automotive and aerospace suppliers; regional electric suppliers such as the Bonneville Power Administration; state universities; the Big Three auto manufacturers; and national laboratories.

WHY NATT?

The U.S. DOE Office of Transportation Technologies has recognized a unique opportunity to ally these Pacific Northwest components to address serious technological challenges. Using cost-shared government funds, these noncompetitive entities can more efficiently work together toward a goal that benefits everyone.

OBJECTIVES

NATT's principal focus is the development of technologies necessary to achieve the 50 percent weight reduction required to meet PNGV's objectives. NATT partners will use their resources to design new lightweight metals shaping and connecting techniques, and to lower material costs.

NATT will also work with the domestic transportation industry (aerospace, vehicular, suppliers, etc.) to develop technical tools required to enhance U.S. competitiveness and benefit a broad range of noncompetitive industrial sectors. NATT will be a strategic U.S. asset, addressing the multi-disciplinary research and development that traditionally falls between fundamental university research and near-term, profit-oriented industrial research. Results of this work will ensure that the U.S. is a strong player in the world market.

UNIQUE POSITIONING

The Pacific Northwest is well positioned through NATT to contribute to the national vehicle program (PNGV).

The region's attributes include:

SUMMARY

The Northwest Alliance for Transportation Technologies brings together Pacific Northwest entities to meet the considerable challenges facing PNGV. The success of NATT’s work will be important to the future of our national economy, our environment, and the Pacific Northwest region.

Powerpoint Presentation

To view a Powerpoint presentation that will provide an overview of the NATT initiative, click here.  (This may take a few minutes)

Company Profile

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's core mission is to deliver environmental science and technology in the service of the nation and humanity. Through basic research we create fundamental knowledge of natural, engineered, and social systems thatis the basis for both effective environmental technology and sound public policy. We solve legacy environmental problems by delivering technologies that remediate existing environmental hazards, addressing today's environmental needs with technologies that prevent pollution and minimize waste, and are laying the technical foundation for tomorrow's inherently clean energy and industrial processes. We also apply our capabilities to meet selected national security, energy, and human health needs, to strengthen the U.S. economy, and to support the education of future scientists and engineers.

Battelle operates Pacific Northwest for the Department of Energy (DOE) and it is committed to the principles of total quality to sustain excellence in research and development and the conduct of all Laboratory operations, such as compliance with all applicable environmental, safety, and health requirements.

Pacific Northwest acts as a steward of DOE's resources by anticipating future national needs and investing in the development of major new capabilities and programs to meet these needs. Current investments include molecular science research, advanced processing technology, biotechnology, global environmental change research and energy technology development.  For more information about PNNL, visit our web site:

Webmaster:  Suzanne Niemeyer
Last Updated:  June 24, 2002