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Big fans gear up for new battles The big difference in newer commercial airplanes comes where it can't be seen: in the structure, in new materials, in the avionics, and most importantly, in the engines. Integrated Vehicle Health Management The aims of IVHM include improved safety through the use of diagnostics and prognostics to fix faults before they are an issue, as well as improve availability of fleets through better maintenance scheduling.

The Digital Cockpit of the Future How Human Machine Interface Technology Will Impact Avionics Displays The Science of Joining Dissimilar Metals in Aerospace Manufacturing Designing A/D Converters for the James Webb Space Telescope Vibration Testing NASA's X-57 Maxwell Electric Aircraft Hybrid Circulators for mmWave Systems Transforming Battlespace Communications Pulsed Exposure Toxicity Testing: Method Development and Initial Evaluation for Stormwater Compliance Preliminary research into modifying whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing protocols designed for continuous flow discharges as applied to episodic and/or ephemeral discharges such as those associated with storm water runoff. Upgrade Transonic Compressor Test Rig Data Acquisition System New software programming using commercial off-the-shelf software for acquiring data, processing data, displaying results, and generating reports is implemented to improve the performance of a legacy system.

Interoperability Standards Pave the Way for Modular Robotic Manipulators Solar Powering UAVs Deploying COTS Subsystems in UUVs Developing a Multi-Modal UGV Robot Control Interface Fast-Tracking Autonomous Vehicles with Simulation Gesture-Based Controls for Robots: Overview and Implications for Use by Soldiers Identifying the Flow Physics and Modeling Transient Forces on Two-Dimensional Wings Experimental Confirmation of an Aquatic Swimming Motion Theoretically of Very Low Drag and High Efficiency The Scaling of Loss Pathways and Heat Transfer in Small Scale Internal Combustion Engines A Guide for Developing Human-Robot Interaction Experiments in the Robotic Interactive Visualization and Experimentation Technology (RIVET) Simulation

Robot reliance There is plenty of room for growth in the use of robots among aerospace companies. The energy-optimized aircraft Aerospace sings the body electric with the integration of stand-alone electric subsystems. Flying into cleaner skies Engine efficiency saves money, trims pollutants. A fascination with fasteners Lack of manufacturing capacity is just one reason for a shortage of aerospace fasteners.

Optimizing components for greener combustion Research agencies and engine manufacturers around the world tackle combustion with new materials, configurations, and fuels.

Simulation solves C5 cargo door problem Dynamic analysis software allows engineers to solve fatigue-related problems without prototypes. UAV development Although unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been employed successfully by the U.S. military to date, many development and operational challenges remain for these to become viable alternatives for manned aircraft. Aircraft engine testing: the test tig developer Engineers at Belcan's Advanced Engineering & Technology Division share their insights and experiences on the development of aircraft gas turbine test rigs and stands. This is the first installment of a three-part series on aircraft engine testing. Looking back at factory automation The ability to improve quality while substantially reducing the cost of production and span times is becoming a necessity to complete in today's aerospace industry.

Noise and vibrations control A variety of active and passive methods can be used to reduce cabin noise and fuselage vibration. Bringing efficiency to flight testing To meet itsgoal of one new aircraft activity each year, Bombardier's Flight Test Center has sought to reduce aircraft development cycle time by focusing on test planning, safety, and configuration control. Propulsion flight testing Originally conceived for just the GE90 aircraft engine program, GE Aircraft Engines' Boeing 747 flying test bed has evolved into the company's primary commercial engine test aircraft. Top technologies for 2000 Each month, "Aerospace Engineering" publishes the latest technologies. The "Aerospace Engineering" editors have reviewed thousands of reader responses during the past year and have chosen the "best of the best" along with runners-up.

Safeguarding aircraft systems How several systems suppliers, airframers, and researchers have approached the need for increased system safeguards and protection against lightning strikes. One last look back A review of the technology news, discussions, and announcements from the first Aerospace Congress & Exhibition held September 10-13 in Seattle, WA. Powering unmanned aircraft Pratt & Whitney Canada is developing and testing a commercial turbofan engine derivative for high-altitude unmanned air vehicle applications. 737-800 winglet integration A joint venture between Boeing and Aviation Partners Inc. is involved in developing a performance improvement for in-service aircraft.

Flying safer Software is being designed to predict pending failures, warn pilots, and maybe even fly the plane. CMM + laser probe = complete inspection Sonaca gave up its manual inspection methods in favor of a digital approach to save time- and money. A rounded view of fibers The use of fibers for aerospace gyroscope applications- notably inertial navigation and platform stabilization- is common now, but it was not always so. Piston engine propulsion SAE 100 Future look: As the propulsion industry looks to the future, the barriers remain challenging, the drivers more critical, but the innovations more promising. What's downstream in turbine technology SAE 100 Future look: Gas turbine machines-aviations, industrial, and vehicular- are versatile and cost-effective machines used for the provision of electricity, mechanical load power, and propulsion.

Full throttle for engine solutions Powering aircraft from Mach 2 fighters to tiny hovering UAVs, military engine technology is now operating on a very broad front. Design and production flexibility together with reduced in-service costs are priorities. To the breaking point Test engineers use new rigs and data-acquisition equipment on the latest generation of pneumatics, engines, and airframes. PCs move into the cockpit Pilot training is getting a bit less expensive with the introduction of more portable flight simulations.

New blades turning Industry is in the midst of new initiatives to develop lighter, stronger aero engine fan blades. ATM revolution-on the way at last A look at one of the biggest issues facing the air transport sector: integrating air traffic management policies and solutions. A new positioning system for aircraft structural assembly The EcoPositioner is a modular and reconfigurable positioning technology that takes into consideration the positioning task as well as operational conditions and environmental influences.

Car of 2100 A.D. AEI gave readers a chance to speak out on what they thought people in 2100 would be driving. We have chosen the best submissions. Also, the AEI editors have included their best guess as to what cars will be in 2100. We realize that this is a guess but the real answer will not be known for 100 years. V8 power for BMW's M5 The new 294-kW (400-hp) S62 engine developed by BMW's M GmbH features Double VANOS variable intake and exhaust valve timing, electronic drive-by-wire, and oil circulation boosted as a function of lateral cornering force. Northstar revised for 2000 Improvements to the powerplant include a roller-follower valvetrain, improved combustion chamber, center-feed intake manifold, coil-on-plug cassette ignition system, and a Siemens powertrain controller. Aston Martin's first V12 Available in both the DB7 Vantage Coupe and Volante, the flexible all-alloy engine delivers 85% of its peak torque at just 1500 rpm.

Increasing the hydroforming knowledge base Tube hydroforming has become a viable economic alternative to various stamping and welding processes in automotive applications. Controlling two-stroke engine emissions With the constant rich operation of two-stroke engines, common design criteria for three-way catalysts fail. DaimlerChrysler technical symposium A year after the merger that created the new corporation, engineers from both groups came together to present a unified technical symposium to review the future direction of the new organization. Here are some highlights of the more significant technical developments. Vertical complex-shape headlamp reflectors Another improvement in lighting technology gives designers increased flexibility in vehicle appearance with no loss in lighting performance. Advances in static and dynamic exhaust system seating Major redesign, combined with minor improvements in simple details, returns significant benefits in sealing.

Getting the aero advantage Team Rahal has come up with several innovative ways of integrating and implementing Fluent Inc.'s computational fluid dynamics softwarae into its engineering process. Jordan Grand Prix benefits from 3-D design This motorsports team's transition from 2-D design to 3-D digital modeling using SDRC's I-DEAS software has resulted in shorter lead times and improved part fit. The 2002 Explorer/Mountaineer Ford engineers further improve ride, handling, and safety while increasing the vehicles' power. Cadillac's re-engineered Escalade The 2002 model has a host of new, advanced features including "Northstar-inspired" powertrains, StabiliTrak stability control, and a Road Sensing Suspension system. Explorer Sport Trac breaks new ground Ford says its 2001 Explorer Sport Trac, based on the 2001 Explorer four-door, was engineered for improved ride and handling, and is the first traditional SUV with an open cargo area.

HID for both beams Automotive Lighting engineers have developed HID lighting for high-beam as well as low-beam functions. High-flux LED light sources Hella's advances in LED design provide new options for signal lights and styling variations for indirect lighting. Top 10 technologies for 2000 Readers have selected the most interesting technology stories appearing in Automotive Engineering International during the past year. The rankings are based on reader responses from feature articles and shorter technology items. Some of the stories appear here in shortened form. Synthetic diesel engine oil Researchers at ExxonMobil have developed an advanced lubricant for heavy-duty diesel engines. Disel Emission Control--Sulfur Effects The objective of this government-industry program is to determine the impact of fuel sulfur levels on emissions-control systems of diesel engines.

Ford's new four The largest engine development program in company history will lead to at least 200 applications, starting with the new Mondeo's Duratec HE and replacement of its existing cast-iron-block four-cylinders with higher aluminum content powerplants. GM Powertrain's new inline six for SUV's For the first time in nearly two decades, three new General Motors vehicles will feature an inline six-cylinder engine developed by GM Powertrain. Fuel-stratified injection from VW Though gasoline direct-injection technology is being introduced in the Lupo FSI, VW says it easily can be adapted for high-volume use in larger vehicles such as the Polo and Golf. LS6 for Z06 The latest high-performance Corvette engine features improved breathing, new pistons, an increased compression ratio, and a new high-profile camshaft.

Solving the driver distraction problem Is voice-recognition technology the silver bullet? No, engineers agree, but it has its place. Succeeding in the alliance game It was General Motors' Arvin F. Mueller, Chairperson of the SAE 2001 World Congress, who came up with "Succeeding in the Alliance Game" as the theme for the March 5-8 automotive engineering event in Detroit. Ferrari 360 aerodynamic development The search for downforce without aerodyamic devices, such as wings or spoilers, led to novel solutions for the car's suspension. Renault's Euro 3 engine Flexible injection systems allowed Renault VI engineers to balance many conflicting priorities in developing Europe's first heavy-duty diesel engine with a fully electronic high-injection-pressure common-rail injection system. Meeting future emissions standards with diesel SUVs AVL List believes that diesel engines could be one way to improve the environmental acceptance of sport utility vehicles.

Fuel cell AUTOnomy General Motors stunned the North American International Auto Show audience with a fuel-cell concept intended to revolutionize the way vehicles are designed, built, and operated. Revving up for diesel With diesel engines having such a large automotive presence in Europe, and such a small one in the U.S., suppliers vie for the diesel of the future. High time for hybrids With two already on the road and at least four others slated for launch within the next couple of years, hybrid vehicles are taking center stage in the automotive industry. Whether the technology becomes a mass-market phenomena or niche-filler is a matter of debate--one that will take place at the SAE 2002 World Congress.

Drivetrains: Challenging the design philosophy A researcher from the Southwest Research Institute focuses on one of the most immediate and dramatic changes of powertrain design: the introduction of CVTs. Elastohydrodynamic lubricants for CVTs In metal-to-metal continously variable transmissions, EHLs momentarily become part of the machinery, allowing for a much higher traction coefficient than is possible with hydrodynamic fluids. Hybrid vehicle dynamics Toyota engineers combined electronic control of the Estima minivan's breaking and driving functions to create its new Vehicle Dynamics Management system, resulting in improved environmental and vehicle performance. Jeep Commander 2 Chrysler Group engineers provide an inside look at one of the pioneering methanol fuel reforming fuel-cell concept vehicles. Improving SUV fuel economy Delphi is pursuing a strategy of engine shutdown and adding torque from an electric motor with its new 42-V integrated starter-generator.

Then there were two Prevailing sentiment in the Japanese media, and to some extent among the public, is that there are two truly indigenous automobile manufacturers in Japan: the Toyota group of companies and Honda. Others have entrenched themselves in global alliances for much-needed infusions of foreign capital. Cars and light trucks merge As light-vehicle segments blur in function and utlility, Japanese manufacturers are placing body design emphasis on optimum space utilization and crash safety. Chassis trends Technologies in development by Japanese companies include lane keeping, steer by wire, and dynamic stability via hybrid-electric drive. Engines and electric motors The Japanese industry is pursuing a high-tech mix of internal combustion engines, hybrid IC/electric powertrains, and fuel cells.