Dow Accelerates Partnership with Auto Industry

Dow launches MobilityScience studio to support the development of innovative transportation technologies
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The first two studios, located in Midland, Michigan, and Lake Jackson, Texas, provide a co-working space with world-class testing capabilities focused on acoustic and powertrain solutions for automotive applications
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These capabilities enable Dow to create unique noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), sealing, powertrain and fluid transfer system solutions for any specification
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Through an integrated approach, MobilityScience Studio facilitates collaboration to provide clients with solutions ranging from custom product formulation to factory line implementation
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"Our MobilityScience platform is about improving our services, accelerating innovation, reducing complexity, and better connecting customers with our products and capabilities," said Tim Boven, director of growth at MobilityScience
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"The MobilityScience Studio provides a comprehensive development network that combines co-working spaces and access to experts with formulation, manufacturing and testing capabilities to bring better, more innovative and more sustainable mobility solutions to market faster
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Automotive OEMs and subcontractors working with MobilityScience Studio - Acoustics in Midland, Michigan will have access to Dow's portfolio of polyurethane foams, elastomers, resins, coating materials and specialty chemicals, and will be able to Work with Dow experts to bridge the gap between acoustics and materials
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"We are using our extensive knowledge of the market and technical principles to fine-tune polyurethane cells at the molecular level to improve the material's acoustic performance for our customers," said Dr.
Esther Quintanilla, global mobile market leader for Dow Polyurethanes
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"The MobilityScience studio reinforces our commitment to our customers and provides us with a unique opportunity to accelerate acoustic collaborations and work together to address the challenges of NVH in the automotive sector
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Advanced Acoustic Testing Capabilities

MobilityScience Studio - Acoustics will enable Dow to create acoustic materials that cover the full range of customer needs in terms of frequency, application, material, and properties such as aesthetics and durability
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Customers will be able to participate in this process and collaborate to develop customizable solutions through advanced testing capabilities, including:

• Damping analysis with Oberst beam test
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● Sound insulation simulation in a semi-anechoic room
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● Sound absorption and transmission through impedance tube test
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● High-end modeling using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA)
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● Passenger simulation with binaural mannequins
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● Use a laser vibrometer for frequency analysis
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• Use a microscope to observe the molecular level of the foam
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In addition, Dow has designed the Acoustimize method for studios, which provides a holistic evaluation of the application of target cavity fillers to generate quantitative data to understand the acoustic performance of polyurethane materials
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The resulting information is key to better manufacturing custom solutions, such as the Specflex system and customizable Betafoam acoustic foam formulations
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In MobilityScience Studio - Acoustics, Dow's innovative Acrylic Liquid Damping (LASD) technology offers sustainability, craftsmanship and acoustic performance advantages over traditional acoustic damping systems such as asphalt mats and viscoelastic materials
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Dow's Acousticryl acrylic resin and Avanse Technology's LASD can be formulated into water-based, liquid-applied shock absorbing materials that provide better acoustic performance, lower costs, and benefit worker health and environmental safety
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EDPM Solutions for the Transportation Industry

MobilityScience Studios - Lake Jackson, Texas, provides capabilities aimed at developing and commercializing seals, powertrains and fluid transfer system components such as weatherstrips, belts and hoses
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"From formulation creation and compounding to extrusion, curing, and end-use testing, the studio offers a powerful combination of capabilities to fast-track innovation in the transportation industry," said Robert Guerrieri, North America Marketing Manager, Transportation, Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics.
Development of EPDM solutions
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" We created these studios to allow partners across the value chain to collaborate and fully evaluate new solutions while maintaining production
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The studio will be the catalyst for the creation of the next generation of Nordel EPDM products, further expanding the widest range of ethylene content available in the industry
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Customers will have access to a variety of state-of-the-art resources to both advance customization of new products and validate end-use performance, including:

● Pilot scale formulation creation, mixing, extrusion, curing, and validation of customized solutions
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● Comprehensive assessment and troubleshooting of processing issues related to mixing, grinding/calendering and extrusion
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● On-site analytical testing and verification of physical properties of uncured and cured compounds and finished prototypes
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