Nissan’s Hydrogen-Free DLC Coating Wins METI Award

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced that its hydrogen-free diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating has won the Excellence Award in the Products and Technology Development Category of the second Monozukuri Nippon Grand Awards from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The awards ceremony will take place on August 29 at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo.

Nissan and its technology development partners, Riken Corp., Hitachi Ltd. and Nippon ITF Inc., received the coveted award category for creating a revolutionary product — component or production technology that contributes to sustain the Japanese industry and society.

The award-winning technology is the hydrogen-free DLC valve lifter that delivers improved fuel-efficiency. Nissan’s DLC coating is a low-friction, highly abrasion-resistant non-crystalline carbon film with diamond-like properties, that does not contain hydrogen in its molecule structure. It significantly reduces the friction drag under oil lubricated condition. Nissan began applying the coating to its VQ35HR and VQ25HR valve lifters on the new Skyline and Infiniti G35, reducing friction between the cam and valve lifter by about 40%.

The Monozukuri Nippon Grand Awards by METI aims to promote the Japanese tradition of monozukuri. The Ministry recognizes people and groups for excellence and leadership in the various fields of monozukuri, from traditional crafts to state-of-the-art technology.

This breakthrough invention also won the Technology Development Award in the 57th Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan Awards*1, as well as the 2006 Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Medal for New Technology*2.

*1: 57th (2007) Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan Awards
Winning entry: Hydrogen-free DLC valve lifter and 5W30GF4 fuel-
efficient oil.

*2: 2006 Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Medal (New Technology)
Winning entry: Hydrogen-free DLC-coated engine valve lifter