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Toyota Prius: Best-Engineered Car of 2001 Following the Japanese introduction of the first-generation Pruis in 1997, the significantly re-engineered second-generation model features new technology to meet the demands of the Western market, including improved driving performance, lower emissions, and reduced costs. Introducing Niel Schilke, SAE President for 2001 General Motors' former top engineer in Canada brings a systems engineering mentality, along with high expectations, to the SAE presidency. Fuel cells start to look real It is looking more and more as if the fuel-cell-powered car--the long-awaited "clean personal transportation of the future"--is moving from laboratory vision to technical reality, if not yet market actuality. Fuel-cell testing Capabilities that deliver reliable monitoring and control, as well as offer the benefit of a flexible configuration, are critical to keep pace with evolving fuel-cell technology, according to National Instruments.

Managing and remaking metals Who knew a hundred years ago that just under half of a 2001 model year vehicle would be manufactured out of dismantled, flattened, and shredded older vehicles? Global viewpoints: Japan plans for the future Greater competition from Western and other Asian nations, as well as global environmental concerns, have focused the country's long-term technology and engineering strategies. Hear the noise, feel the vibe There being no silver bullet for noise and vibration attenuation, suppliers are providing a variety of options for the OEM quest to provide a smooth and quiet ride. Forum for fuel cells An in-depth, one-day fuel-cell summit, presented by AEI, allowed open discussion on the burgeoning technology from various stakeholders. This month's focus is on two keynote presentations that addressed some business and regulatory trends regarding the development and adoption of fuel cells.

Ultracapacitors charge ahead The limitations of current energy-storage solutions could encourage consideration of these alternative solutions, but more engineering work needs to be done to reduce costs. Technology for all Automotive industry executives expect high-end technologies, once considered only for inclusion in luxury cars, to increasingly make their way into entry- and mid-level vehicles in the very near future. Convergence continues A lot of automotive electronics ground has been covered at the Convergence conferences past, and there's more to come at this year's show in October. Fueling the next generation As hydrogen joins the battle for automotive power with gasoline and diesel, the future could be more choices rather than one winner.

Systems drive safety Engineers are using a holistic approach to design safer vehicles by adding function and integrating multiple subsystems. The gas in greener Biodiesels promise to help reduce petroleum consumption and CO2 emissions, but much of the potential depends on production and infrastructure investment. Good vibrations Instead of excising all noise, vibration, and harshness, engineers are focusing more on making specific sounds and feedback "fit" a vehicle. SAE Commercial Vehicle Congress Preview International Truck and Engine executives head the charge for "positive industry change" at SAE's third Congress for the on- and off-highway communities.

Looking forward to safer highways New camera technologies, along with better algorithms and software, are enabling the move to active-safety systems that warn and then take control of vehicles in dangerous situations. Fuel-cell futures Eager to find alternative-propulsion solutions, automakers are betting that renewed emphasis on fuel-cell vehicles will pay off in the long run, with the latest examples aiming to prove higher-volume production feasibility. Consensus building ojn refrigerant type The hydrofluoro-olefin refrigerant HFO-1234yf has emerged as Europe's favored R-134a replacement, but some prefer R-744. Strengthening the link through software The next generation of simulation tools could help better synchronize manufacturing engineering and product design.

Rockets re-engineered-a step further into the cosmos Powertrain design for reliability Ice breaker Mazda's Skyactiv-X beats the big companies to market with a promising new engine that marries Otto and Diesel attributes. Advances for off-highway engine design As manufacturers continue to drive out cost and meet a worldwide patchwork of regulatory frameworks, the tools for developing those engines are advancing. From showcase prototypes to advanced analytical techniques, suppliers are helping the cause. Aeroacoustic simulation delivers breakthroughs in aircraft noise reduction Autonomy testing: Simulation to the rescue Autonomous technology development injects new rigors on vehicle-development testing.

Opposed-piston engines: the powerplant of the future India's dream of an all-EV fleet by 2030: Myth, miracle, or reality? An approach for prediction of motorcycle engine noise under combustion load Innovations for lightweighting Tough U.S. fuel-economy bogies for 2021 and beyond are driving new approaches for materials, as seen in these examples. More intelligence equals more efficiency, enhanced functionality Advanced electronic systems require renewed focus on architectures, processors, sensors and networks. Connected commercial vehicles bring cybersecurity to the fore Connectivity, automation and electrification will drive vehicle development in the near future, say industry experts attending the revamped SAE COMVEC 17 event.

Mining for silence According to an engineer from Cooper-Standard Automotive, active noise control is finally making the transition from marketing hype to viable product. Making a mining engine Customer demands for higher-speed diesel power provided the motivation behind the design of MTU's new 20-cylinder engine. Reader's Choice: Top technologies of the Year Readers have selected the ten most interesting stories in SAE Off-Highway Engineering during the past year. Results are based on the reader-response choices following feature articles and shorter technology items. The supply chain gang No longer in its infancy, e-business proves its worth by streamlining operations along the supply chain.

The man challenges of Tier 4 engineering Cutting and controlling emissions are the surface goals, but designers must also manage to cut and control costs, while adding complexity. A cool look at heat protection CFD is used to predict flow and thermal fields within the engine compartment both at steady state and transient conditions. Hushing hydraulics Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology put their energies into novel, compact devices for reducing fluid-borne noise.

Look Ma, no driver Unmanned vehicles evolve quickly as processors, sensors improve performance. Calling all hydraulics engineers As the industry knows all too well, hydraulics engineers are hard to come by; a look at how companies are hiring, training, and, most important, retaining engineers. Making diesels quiet and clear Researchers look at the relative influence of gear design parameters on the rattle noise of a diesel engine timing gear train.

Heavy-duty engine blender Researchers at Southwest Research Institute and Navistar exploring the feasibility of micro-pilot diesel-injection dual-fuel combustion at key part load conditions found it offers ultra-low smoke and NOx emissions while maintaining diesel-comparable fuel consumption and noise levels.

What's New at ConExpo/IFPE More new products and technologies that companies plan to showcase at this year's ConExpo-Con/Agg, which is co-located with the IFPE fluid-power event in Las Vegas from March 4-8, are previewed. Gearshift actuator dynamics in a dual clutch transmission The emergence of tougher environmental and fuel efficient legislations have triggered exploration and advance toward new and better vehicle transmission technologies. Software makes solid impact Programs are helping hydraulic systems do more while reducing operator workloads. Damping out booming noise NVH improvement techniques are gaining traction with the goal to improve the quality perception of off-highway equipment performance and operator comfort.

A new Formula for racing The new Formula E series' electric racecars are intended to pioneer new technology for broader use in production, encouraging fans to think differently about the technologies they use. Production of satellite with first all-electric propulsion system advances Electric propulsion has been limited so far to small movements of the satellites once it is in its geostationary orbit. The Boeing 702SP innovation is its use of electric propulsion to raise the satellite from its launch-vehicle drop-off point to geostationary orbit. Using CAE to assess whining noise of electric powertrains To develop an electric powertrain with a minimum noise level and minimized whining it is necessary to have accurate CAE simulation and precise criteria to assess whining noise.