CenTiRe is a consortium of tire and tire-related industry members with two world-class universities.
CenTiRe conducts leading-edge, pre-competitive research in materials, tire physics (including modeling), testing, manufacturing, and sustainability at the two universities that is of interest and directed by the industry members.
The Center’s current industry members are global tire manufacturers, material suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, and test equipment and service suppliers. These members collectively provide direction and decisions on research and operation of the Center to produce results that are meaningful and transferable to the member companies.
The Center’s two university sites are Virginia Tech and the University of Akron. Virginia Tech is well known for its expertise in tire and vehicle mechanics and dynamics, road pavement characterization, simulation, and testing. The University of Akron is world-class in polymer science and polymer engineering. The two universities may also participate in other research topics as directed by our members. Faculty at the universities provide their technical expertise and guidance to the graduate student(s) performing the research, and interact with the industry members.
