42 U.S.C. § 17241 — Lightweight materials research and development

(a) In general. As soon as practical after December 19, 2007, the Secretary of Energy must set up a program to find ways to reduce motor vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency without making vehicles less safe for passengers. The program must research, develop, and demonstrate: (1) new materials, including cast metal composites made through autocombustion synthesis, and new manufacturing processes that give a higher strength-to-weight ratio or other weight-reducing properties; and (2) ways to lower the cost of (A) lightweight materials — including high-strength steel alloys, aluminum, magnesium, metal composites, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites — needed to build lighter vehicles, and (B) processing, automated manufacturing, joining, and recycling those materials for large-scale use. (b) Authorization of appropriations. Congress authorized $80,000,000 total for fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out this section.