Modern passenger vehicle tires dissipate between 20-30% of total vehicle energy through rolling resistance, directly impacting fuel economy and EV range. This energy loss occurs primarily through hysteresis in the rubber compounds, where repeated deformation cycles convert kinetic energy into heat. Current high-performance tires must manage this energy loss while maintaining critical safety parameters like wet grip and wear resistance.

The fundamental challenge lies in the inherent tradeoff between rolling resistance and traction performance, as both properties stem from the viscoelastic behavior of tire compounds.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including multi-layer tread architectures, optimized carbon black-silica hybrid systems, and specialized rubber polymer compositions. These and other approaches demonstrate how materials engineering can reduce rolling resistance while preserving essential tire performance characteristics.

1. Precipitated Silica with Reduced Aluminum Content via Controlled Acid Addition

RHODIA OPERATIONS, 2025

A precipitated silica with low aluminum content for improved properties in polymer compositions like rubber. The silica contains aluminum in an amount below 0.50 wt %. The low aluminum content improves compatibility with polymers like rubber, leading to better dispersion, reinforcement, and elastomer properties. The silica can be used in rubber compositions for tires and other articles. The low aluminum content is achieved by a process involving controlled acid addition during silica production.

2. Rubber Composition Incorporating Silica Fillers Dispersed with Nonionic Surfactants Having Specific HLB Range

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO, 2025

Rubber compositions with improved properties for tire applications by using silica fillers dispersed using nonionic surfactants. The compositions contain silica particles, rubber, and a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of 8-14. The surfactant coats the silica particles during mixing, reducing viscosity compared to using water alone. This allows easier processing of the rubber without high temperatures. The surfactant also improves the rubber properties like lower hysteresis for better rolling resistance. The surfactant remains on the silica surface in the cured rubber.

US2025163250A1-patent-drawing

3. Improved Rubber Performance Through Phenolic Resin-Modified Silica: A Novel Coupling Mechanism for Enhanced Recyclability

pilar bernalortega, rafal anyszka, raffaele di ronza - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2025

Passenger car tires (PCTs) usually consist of a silica/silane-filled Butadiene Rubber (BR) or Solution Styrene (SSBR) tread compound. This system is widely used due to improvements observed in rolling resistance (RR) as well wet grip compared carbon black-filled compounds. However, the covalent bond that couples silica via silane with rubber increases challenge recycling these products. Furthermore, this strong unable reform once it broken, leading deterioration tire properties. work aims improve negative aspects silica-filled compounds by developing novel coupling based on non-covalent interactions, which exhibit reversible feature. The formation new was accomplished reacting and phenolic resin order obtain simultaneous interactions hydrogen bonding. reaction performed using two different silanes (amino epoxy silane) an alkyl phenolformaldehyde resin. implementation resulted improved crosslink density, better mechanical performance, superior fatigue behavior, similar indicator.

4. Rubber Composition with Specific Tan Delta Curve for Enhanced Wet Grip and Fuel Efficiency

SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD, 2025

Tire rubber composition and pneumatic tire with significantly improved overall performance in terms of wet grip and fuel economy. The rubber composition has a tan delta vs temperature curve with a peak tan delta and half width satisfying a specific relationship (0.025 or greater). This curve shape provides both enhanced wet grip due to the high peak tan delta and improved wet grip and fuel economy due to the sharp curve. The composition can contain modified BR, silica, silane coupling agents, wax, antioxidants, oil, zinc oxide, sulfur, and accelerators.

5. Polymer Composition with Modified Conjugated Diene-Based Polymer and Functional-Group-Containing Polymer

ENEOS MATERIALS CORP, 2025

A polymer composition for tires that balances fuel efficiency and rigidity. The composition contains a modified conjugated diene-based polymer with nitrogen-containing functional groups, and a functional-group-containing polymer. The modified polymer improves fuel efficiency, while the functional-group-containing polymer maintains rigidity. The ratio of modified polymer to functional polymer is 99:1 to 70:30 by mass. This composition allows tires to have both low rolling resistance and good steering stability.

6. Annular Shear Band with Zigzag Interlaced Reinforcing Elements and Rubber Composition

COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, 2025

Annular shear band for non-pneumatic tires with reduced rolling resistance. The shear band has an annular rubber shear layer with discrete annular reinforcing elements interlaced in a zigzag pattern. The reinforcing elements are arranged in rows with reinforcing elements from adjacent rows forming rhombus shapes. This configuration provides load support and prevents crack propagation while allowing high strain deformation. The shear layer is made of a rubber composition with natural rubber and a low styrene content copolymer. The reinforcing elements are made of silica with a coupling agent. The specific reinforcing element arrangement and rubber composition provide low rolling resistance in the shear band.

7. Conjugated Diene-Based Polymer Modified with Functional Group-Containing Compound for Enhanced Filler Affinity

LG CHEM LTD, 2025

Modifying conjugated diene-based polymers like styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) to improve properties like wet grip, low rolling resistance, and processability. The modification involves reacting the polymer with a specific modifier containing a functional group derived from a compound represented by formula 1: R1-R6 are alkoxy groups, A is an arylene or heteroarylene ring, and L1-L4 are alkylene chains. The modifier has affinity with fillers like silica and improves compounding properties.

8. Strand Comprising Reinforcing Fiber Core with Elastomer Impregnation and Thermoplastic Resin Layer

MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY INC, 2025

Strand with improved slidability for use in applications like driving parts. The strand has a core made of reinforcing fibers impregnated with an elastomer, covered by a thermoplastic resin layer. The elastomer in the core provides flexibility and the thermoplastic layer enhances slidability. This allows the strand to slide smoothly without damage compared to bare fiber strands.

US2025122651A1-patent-drawing

9. Polydiene Rubbers with Alkoxy Silyl Functionalized Comonomer Units

ARLANXEO DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, 2025

Polydiene rubbers with improved properties for tire applications, made by polymerizing diene monomers with functionalized comonomers containing alkoxy silyl groups. The functionalized comonomers have repeating units derived from the functionalizing comonomer. The functionalized rubber polymers have better interactions with fillers and improved tire properties compared to non-functionalized diene polymers.

10. Rubber Composition with SBR and EPDM for Enhanced Wet Grip and Rolling Resistance

APOLLO TYRES GLOBAL R&D BV, 2025

Rubber composition for tire treads that provides improved wet grip and rolling resistance compared to conventional rubber compositions. The composition contains specific ratios of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), silica, and zinc oxide. The composition also has a specific styrene content in the SBR, vinyl content in the SBR, and glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SBR. Cross-linking the composition improves wet grip and maintains rolling resistance compared to cross-linking conventional rubber compositions.

11. A Numerical Study on Predicting Rolling Resistance of Tires Based on the Change of Accumulated Strain Energy Density

dehong hu, dian zhang, you wang - Darcy & Roy Press Co. Ltd., 2025

The prediction of tire rolling resistance is importance in both academic and engineering. Classic computational methods are complexity low efficiency. This paper proposes a method based on cumulative changes strain energy density to calculate resistance. Obtain the stress stains states various components by Finite Element Analysis (FEA), apply Karmals formula for computation changing density. proposed achieves good tendency between measurement results. Moreover, efficiency reduced 1/12 that classic methods. can be used complex simplified tread patterns tires predicting.

12. Micronized Rubber Powder with Silane and Silica Activation for Enhanced Vulcanization and Dispersion

ATLANTIS RUBBER POWDERS BV, 2025

Upgrading micronized rubber powder (MRP) for large-scale reuse in tires by chemically activating the powder to improve performance. The activation involves treating the powder with silane during grinding to prevent sticking and using silica as a dusting agent. This functionalizes the powder surface to enhance vulcanization and dispersion in rubber compounds. The activation step involves contacting the powder with silane, silica, peroxides, or other activators. This allows using lower amounts of MRP in tire formulations compared to unactivated powder, which improves properties like tear strength, abrasion resistance, and dynamic performance.

US12269194B2-patent-drawing

13. Bio-Based Lignin-Rubber Masterbatch with Esterified Lignin for Enhanced Rubber Compatibility

NANJING TECH UNIVERSITY, 2025

Fully bio-based, highly filled lignin-rubber masterbatch for replacing carbon black in rubber. The masterbatch is prepared by mixing modified lignin with rubber. The lignin is modified by esterification with acetic acid and oleic acid to improve compatibility with non-polar rubbers. The modified lignin has reduced hydroxyl group content compared to unmodified lignin. The esterification reaction provides hydrophobic groups to decrease lignin polarity. This improves lignin dispersibility in the rubber matrix.

US12269952B2-patent-drawing

14. Additive Composition Comprising Fatty Acid and Polyamine Reaction Product for Silica-Filled Rubber Compounds

INGEVITY SOUTH CAROLINA LLC, 2025

Additive composition for improving properties of silica-filled rubber compounds in tires, such as fuel economy, traction, and wear resistance. The composition comprises a reaction product of fatty acid and polyamine. It is added to silica-filled rubber compounds, like tire treads, at low parts per hundred (phr) levels. The additive enhances silica dispersion and reduces payne effect, without affecting key rubber properties like viscosity, scorch, hardness, tensile strength, elongation, abrasion, and modulus. This enables improved tire performance, including lower rolling resistance, enhanced winter/dry traction, and better dry handling, without compromising other properties.

US2025109275A1-patent-drawing

15. Polysaccharide-Elastomer Masterbatch with Reduced Water Content via Coagulation and Drying Process

NUTRITION & BIOSCIENCES USA 4 INC, 2025

Polysaccharide-elastomer masterbatch for making reinforced rubber compositions with reduced water content. The masterbatch is made by mixing a polysaccharide dispersion with an elastomer latex and then coagulating and drying the mixture. This avoids adding water during masterbatch production, allowing lower water content in the final rubber compound. The polysaccharide provides reinforcement and reduces rolling resistance compared to carbon black. The masterbatch can be used in applications like tires, belts, footwear, coatings, etc.

US2025109259A1-patent-drawing

16. Silica-Filled Rubber Compound with Dipole-Enhanced Additive for Optimized Stiffness and Dispersion

BRIDGESTONE EUROPE NV/SA [BE/BE], 2025

Silica-filled rubber compound for tires with high stiffness and reduced rolling resistance. The compound contains a specific additive with a dipole moment over 2 Debye, polar groups at one end of a hydrophobic carbon chain, and crosslinks only at the other end. This additive enhances silica dispersion and stiffness without increasing hysteresis compared to traditional plasticizers. The compound has a balance of stiffness and rolling resistance exceeding 1.15 in E'/TanD ratio.

17. Dynamic Query Planning System Utilizing Large Language Model for Automated Function Selection in Search Query Execution

MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC, 2025

Dynamic query planning system that uses a large language model (LLM) to automatically select functions for executing a search query based on the user's input without requiring explicit facet selection. The LLM is configured with prompts to generate and output a query execution plan using functions from data resources. The prompts dynamically adjust based on context to optimize query planning. The LLM translates user query terms into functions to expand the query without user input. This reduces burden and improves relevance compared to LLM query enhancement.

US2025110957A1-patent-drawing

18. Tire Tread with Differential Rubber Composition Featuring Center Section with Lower Storage Modulus and Higher Glass Transition Temperature

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO, 2025

Tire tread design that improves rolling resistance while maintaining wet grip and reducing maximum lateral force for vehicles like SUVs and vans. The tread has a center section with a different rubber composition compared to the shoulder sections. The center rubber has lower storage modulus at 1% strain and higher glass transition temperature compared to the shoulder rubber. This allows lower rolling resistance and improved wet grip without sacrificing maximum lateral force. The center rubber composition can contain a styrene/alpha-methylstyrene copolymer resin.

19. Rubber Composition with Polyisoprene and Functionalized SBR for Silica Coupling

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO, 2025

Rubber composition for truck tires with improved rolling resistance and wet grip while maintaining wear resistance. The composition contains 70-95 phr of polyisoprene and 5-30 phr of a low Tg SBR functionalized for silica coupling. It also has 40-80 phr of predominantly silica filler. This combination provides a balance of wear, wet, and rolling resistance properties for reduced environmental impact and safety in truck tires.

20. Polymeric Compositions with Imine-Containing Hydrocarbyloxy Silane Functionalized Polydienes

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, 2025

Polymeric compositions for tire rubber with improved properties like reduced hysteretic loss and payne effect, and reduced aging degradation. The compositions contain a specific amount (10-95 mole %) of functionalized polydienes made by reacting reactive polydienes with a terminating agent containing an imine-containing hydrocarbyloxy silane group. This functionalization provides benefits like reduced hysteretic loss and payne effect in the rubber. The compositions also have stabilized rheology and reduced aging compared to higher functionalization levels.

21. Polydiene Polymer Backbone Functionalization via Silylating Grafting Agents Synthesized from Siloxanes and Vinyl Compounds

22. Cured Rubber Compositions with Silylated Polydiene Polymers Derived from Diene Monomers

23. Tire with Differential Electrical Resistance Sidewall and Chafer Compositions

24. Rubber Composition with Terminal-Modified Liquid Polybutadiene for Enhanced Silica Dispersion in Tire Sidewalls

25. Tread Rubber Composition with 2,5-Diethoxyterephthaloyl Hydrazide for Enhanced Dispersion and Reduced Hysteresis

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