---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 17241"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "17241"
heading: "Lightweight materials research and development"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/17241"
units:
  - "Chapter 152 — Energy Independence and Security"
  - "Subchapter V — Accelerated Research and Development"
  - "Part E — Miscellaneous Provisions"
---

# §17241. Lightweight materials research and development

- (a) **In general—** As soon as practicable after December 19, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) of Energy shall establish a [program](/usc/42/17151.md?p=5) to determine ways in which the weight of motor vehicles could be reduced to improve fuel efficiency without compromising passenger safety by conducting research, development, and demonstration relating to—
  - (1) the development of new materials (including cast metal composite materials formed by autocombustion synthesis) and material processes that yield a higher strength-to-weight ratio or other properties that reduce vehicle weight; and
  - (2) reducing the cost of—
    - (A) lightweight materials (including high-strength steel alloys, aluminum, magnesium, metal composites, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites) with the properties required for [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) of lighter-weight vehicles; and
    - (B) materials processing, automated manufacturing, joining, and recycling lightweight materials for high-volume applications.
- (b) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $80,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 651, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1694.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as a note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.