Electronics

Truck platoon demo reveals 15% bump in fuel economy Automated road trains such as the one demonstrated on a test track in Tsukuba City, Japan, help prove out new truck platooning technology for real-world use. Similar programs have been conducted in Europe and the U.S. Read full story

Intertek helping to solve the safety problem of stranded energy Stranded energy refers to the residual charge or stored energy left in a battery after an automobile accident that cannot be directly accessed but still poses a potential shock or fire hazard. Read full story

Designing sealing plugs for unused electrical connector terminals not so simple USCAR group develops small handheld test instrument using a miniature sensor to accurately measure air pressure buildup in electrical connectors. Read full story

SAE G-19 Committee making progress on counterfeit parts standards Phil Zulueta, Chairman of the SAE G-19 Committee, provides an update on committee subcommittee activities. Read full story

Study says lithium-ion batteries should rule for the next decade at least Next-generation batteries have many obstacles to overcome before they can power electric and hybrid vehicles. Read full story

Lithium-ion micro-battery demos potential new path to high performance The innovation is a novel, three-dimensional battery design from the University of Illinois that simultaneously expands the cell’s reactive surface area while boosting its ion and electron transport capacity. Read full story

Modeling, simulation of mechatronics still pose many challenges Automotive engineers have been combining electronics and mechanical systems for years, but they’re still figuring out how to efficiently model and simulate mechatronic systems. Sharing files between disciplines remains an issue along with the challenge of creating models for use in different applications. Read full story

Supplier sees aluminum wiring, preformed harnesses taking hold Leoni AG, a wiring systems supplier, describes competitiveness of aluminum wiring with enhanced corrosion protection of joints. Shows preformed harnesses that simplify assembly line installation. Describes thermal protection systems for these harnesses, and calls them production-ready. Read full story

Video interview: UMTRI provides update of connected-vehicle pilot program Debby Bezzina, Senior Program Manager for Safety Pilot Model Deployment at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, talks about where the program stands today and where it goes after completion in August 2013. Read full story