U.S. Department of Energy researchers are working to reduce carbon fiber costs to between $5 and $7 per pound. By using alternative precursors like lignin from paper production and biomass, the project aims to make high-strength, lightweight materials viable for mass-market automotive and industrial use. Lowering the cost of these composites can significantly increase fuel economy and efficiency in transportation. The research also explores high-speed microwave carbonization to increase production throughput, potentially expanding the use of carbon fiber in wind turbines and aerospace infrastructure.
