Solar glass delivers a small boost in EV range03-May-2013 20:24 GMT
Climate control can reduce electric-vehicle range by up to 46% from A/C usage in hot weather and up to 68% from electric heaters in cold temps. Tests of a solar glass windshield at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory show 4% savings in required A/C cooling capacity, providing an up to 1.0 mi (1.6 km) increase in vehicle range.
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Video interview: Henkel pretreatment process enables aluminum growth
22-Apr-2013 17:01 GMT
Kevin Woock, Henkel's Global Market Segment Manager for Automotive, explains how the Bonderite Flex Process, which uses zirconium oxide pretreatment instead of conventional zinc phosphating, enables processing of up to 85% aluminum content on vehicles vs. 25% with zinc phosphate coating.
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Active grille shutters, LED light pipes among near-term technology on International concept truck (Video)
15-Apr-2013 21:46 GMT
The truck maker's Project Horizon concept showcases technology related to aerodynamics, lighting, and chassis that could be on the road within 24 to 36 months.
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Mercedes' 2014 CLA is the new low-Cd king
18-Mar-2013 21:01 GMT
Mercedes-Benz has achieved a 0.22 Cd with the base version of its new CLA four-door coupe, claiming it as the most aerodynamic production car on sale in the world. It is the result of the company's most intense aerodynamic program for a series car.
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LED headlamp retrofit developed for SuperTruck program
18-Mar-2013 20:34 GMT
In support of the U.S. Department of Energy SuperTruck program—an initiative that aims to increase the fuel efficiency of Class 8 trucks by 50%—a research team developed a group of low-energy, high-output LED lamps for forward lighting that could be retrofitted into the current incandescent headlamp housing and lens.
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2013 ATS led GM's new approach to improving driver visibility
11-Mar-2013 20:58 GMT
The Cadillac ATS development team used a new GM visibility evaluation technique involving "hedgehog" visualization to create a corporate Driver Visibility Calculator. It enables vehicle-development teams to quickly study how structural design areas, such as pillar cross-section, affect the driver’s field of vision.
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VW and BASF develop all-plastic front-end carrier for new Golf
25-Feb-2013 21:13 GMT
Working with Volkswagen, BASF created a front-end carrier for the new Golf Mk. VII that saves weight, assembly time, and costs. The carrier uses only plastic, eliminating the use of sheet steel parts.
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Composites simulation can accelerate acceptance
21-Feb-2013 16:37 GMT
David Mason, Vice President of Global Automotive for Altair Engineering, discusses how modeling and FE analysis tools can help engineers optimize their structural composite designs—and ultimately "catalyze composites growth" in the automotive sector.
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Ballistic testing of NASCAR windshields spurs change for 2013 season
12-Feb-2013 21:12 GMT
While no driver injuries have been suffered from debris striking the windshield, an opportunity for improvement was identified, pursued, and implemented for the 2013 NASCAR racing season.
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Novel aluminum/steel hybrid door launches on 2014 Acura RLX
11-Feb-2013 21:54 GMT
Honda R&D has developed an aluminum/steel sheet hybrid door—debuting on the 2014 Acura RLX—that is more effective in reducing weight than an all-aluminum door. Details on the hybrid door’s development will be presented at the SAE 2013 World Congress in April.
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