REBRAKE · 50% Reduction of Brake Wear Particulate Matter

Particulates, also known under the name of particulate matter (PM), are fine particles or soot. Particulate matter is frequently classified according to its size, i.e. PM10, PM2.5 and PM0.1 for particulates with an aerodynamic diameter D smaller than, respectively, 10 µm, 2.5 µm and 0.1 µm. PM represent an hazard for human health. Very coarse particles (D > 10 µm) are generally filtered in the nose and throat via cilia and mucus. Coarse particles (2.5 µm < D < 10 µm) can settle in the bronchi and lungs. Fine particles (0.1 µm < D < 2,5 µm) can easily penetrate into the lungs gas exchange regions, and they might cause vascular inflammation related diseases and possibly lung cancer. Ultrafine particles (D < 0.1 µm) or nanoparticles might be even more dangerous, as they can reach intimate structure of tissues and organs and act as nucleations sites for cancer and degenerative pathologies.. Despite the emissions of PM2.5 and PM10 decreased by 16% and 21 respectively between 1999 and 2009, PM limits were exceeded widely across the EU area, a quite discouraging result. Whilst exhaust gases in the road transport are monitored and object of the European directives, less is known about the particulates originating from the wear of e.g. brakes and tyres. A recent study for the city of London regarding 2011 and future 2015 PM emissions, estimated a consistent increase of the PM wear emissions (brakes and tyres) with respect to the overall PM emissions: from 35% to 47% for PM10 and from 40% to 55% for PM2.5The REBRAKE ultimate and tangible objectives aims at: i) at least 50% particulate matter (PM10) mass reduction from brake wear, in compliance with the EU2020 thematic strategy of 47% reduction of particulate matter by 2020; ii) deeper comprehension of the physical and chemical phenomena underlying the brake wear process, including higher comprehension and analysis of characteristics coarse, fine and UFP particles.