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Engineering at the new NVH frontier Electrification brings new benchmarks, tools and challenges to the ongoing battle with noise, vibration and harshness. Hydrogen storage in a box! Cylindrical tanks no longer are the only solution for storing high-pressure hydrogen gas. The future is looking decidedly square - and better for vehicle range and packaging. A connected approach to auxiliary battery control An 'intelligent' systems strategy ensures that an electrified vehicle's auxiliary battery has enough energy to meet basic loads, whether the vehicle is running or in park. Editorial The gas-station paradigm for EV charging Supplier Eye Electrification brings supplier value closer to home New Chinese EV feature ASSB tech Battery- and chip-analysis companies join to chop production time Setting guideposts for product liability and ethics in AI Lincoln unveils redesigned 2024 Nautilus SUV 2025 Ram 1500 REV offers class-leading big battery Product Briefs Spotlight: Noise & Vibration Tech

What system Designers Should Know About MOSA Standards Microtube Technology A Catalyst for Next-Gen Aerospace Thermal Control Space Industry Test Challenges Advancing Metrology at Mach Speed Drone Mounted Inspection Breaks Barriers for F-35 RF Technology Helps Connect Avionics Systems Using Open-Cavity Plastic Packages in Avionics Applications Electronic Prognostics - A Case Study Using Global Positioning System (GPS) Prognostic health management (PHM) of electronic systems presents challenges traditionally viewed as either insurmountable or not worth the cost of pursuit, but recent changes in weapons platform acquisition and support requirements has spurred renewed interest in electronics PHM, revealing possible applications, accessible data sources, and previously unexplored predictive techniques.

Heavy-duty engine design What are the most significant factors influencing the way engine developers approach near-term design and development cycles? Two experts provide their insights from recent programs. Reducing winter range loss for electric trucks Researchers at the Austrian Institute of Technology have developed an air exchange system that's capable of reducing heat load by 37% in real-world tests. Narrower focus, bigger payoff Design teams are targeting focused markets for their commercial electric-vehicle programs to combat challenges like range and infrastructure. Removing complexity for autonomous trucks Narrowing the operating domains for driverless commercial vehicles reduces the requirements of autonomous technology and speeds time to market. Plastics innovations 2019 The 49th annual SPE Automotive Awards highlight the ongoing benefits of lightweight polymers and composites.

Engineering the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette The eighth-gen (C8) Corvette is a creative mix of novel and traditional technical solutions - unleashed at a shockingly low base price. Stuck on structural adhesives As the need for lighter materials and enhanced body performance intensifies, structural adhesives flourish as a materials-joining solution. Rethinking ADAS materials New specialized thermoplastics offer greater design freedom to improve sensor performance and packaging, at reduced cost. Inside VW's expanding Silicon Valley lab The pioneering California innovation hub enters its third decade on a new wave of innovation.

Connectivity takes center stage Telematic links have become the norm, helping fleet owners and operators improve efficiency and letting OEMs predict component failures. More power, less noise, fewer emissions These key attributes drive development of new generators both big and small. TARDEC pursues advanced power generation U.S. Army, GM collaborate on fuel-cell-generated electricity to power the vehicle's propulsion system and onboard electronics, while providing off-vehicle power via an Exportable Power Take-Off unit. Developing an alternative engine concept Ricardo's CryoPower engine leverages two unique combustion techniques for reduced emissions and fuel consumption-liquid nitrogen and split combustion. Long-haul trucking and stationary power generation will be the first beneficiaries of the technologies. Technology time-warp The road to autonomous driving has been under construction for decades, as showcased by SAE's Mobility History Committee at the 2018 WCX in Detroit.

Collaborating on diesel emission control Stringent fuel-efficiency and criteria-pollutant standards call for new combustion strategies. The SwRI-led Advanced Combustion Catalyst and Aftertreatment Technologies consortium reinvents existing technologies and experiments with new catalysts to meet standards. More intelligence equals more efficiency, enhanced functionality Advanced systems require renewed focus on architectures, processors, sensors and networks. Appraising the potential for platooning in the U.S. Researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory perform statistical analysis based on a large collection of real-world U.S. truck usage data to estimate the fraction of total miles that are technically suitable for platooning. Connected commercial vehicles bring cybersecurity to the fore Connectivity, automation and electrification will largely drive vehicle developments in the coming years, according to experts presenting at the revamped SAE COMVEC 17.

Thought leadership at WCX17 Lucid Motors' David Moseley: EV or ICE, "It is all physics" New eye on the road One of the industry's hottest tech suppliers is blazing the autonomy trail by crowd-sourcing safe routes and using AI to learn to negotiate the road. Mobileye's co-founder and CTO explains. Hard, slick and ready to roll A tough, self-renewing catalyst coating developed at Argonne National Laboratory provides unprecedented friction and wear protection for vehicle powertrains, the inventors claim. Sensor ICs, semiconductors and safety To achieve ISO 26262 compliance, engineering practices must be taken to a higher level. The following insights may prove valuable for getting there. New VCR targets 40% BTE Variable-compression ratio with VVA from France's MCE-5.

New dawn at Honda R&D President Yoshiyuki Matsumoto aims to invigorate Honda's technology and product-development organization with 'full soul.' Automated driving meets regulation: NHTSA and the next 50 years The challenges and opportunities on the road to 'zero deaths' demand a new level of federal automotive safety technical standards, and a new safety-defect reporting and recall system. NHTSA and the U.S. Congress must act boldly and quickly to make it happen. Autonomous driving meets regulation: Hands off, eyes off, brain off Euro NCAP'S president warns that without coherent policies, the growing availability of automated technologies may result in piecemeal technology development-and unintentional consequences. Designer yin meets engineer yang Efficient and effective vehicle development means even closer collaboration between the two former sparring partners.

Hydraulics still in control of off-highway needs Engineers continue to master electronic controllers and software to help systems manage engine speeds and boost efficiency, to the ultimate benefit of both OEMs and end-users. Off-highway calibration challenges-big and complex As the final set of Tier 4 regulations kick in for engines greater than 750 hp (560 kW), calibration efforts must contend with complex engine and aftertreatment systems. Engine manufacturers and service providers deal with this complexity, but does it need to be so? DEF delivery modelling for SCR systems Researchers characterize a 0-D model of a urea delivery module, oriented to model-based control and to the simulation of the system response to fault injections finalized to diagnosis validation.

Exhausting Possibilities A novel herringbone design of exhaust catalyst could be the 'Eureka' moment for emissions reductions, says ACAT Global's CEO Joseph W Moch. Ian Adcock tries to unravel the story behind it A right royal performance An interior influenced by the Jubilee celebrations? James Brewer finds out more Virtually, the real deal OEMs want faster time to market, reduced development costs and ever more sophisticated testing. Ian Adcock reports

Simulation helps manage change in aircraft manufacturing Commercial aircraft demand is up even while sequestration and other forces are forcing scale-backs in defense-related programs. From managing complex supply chains to improving scrap rates in casting, digital simulation is proving a valuable aid.

Powdered tires Researchers quantify several environmental benefits associated with using ultra-fine scrap tire rubber powders in virgin and recycled rubber and plastics compounds.

The big engine that could With the stringent EPA 2015 regulations on large diesel engines for locomotive, marine, and stationary generator applications, the need for NOx reduction via urea SCR catalyst arises given the proven performance of urea SCR. Monitoring hydraulics Component producers and vehicle service providers offer their views of hydraulic diagnostics as the industry moves toward real-time, intelligent health monitoring, predictive failure software algorithms, and wireless notification. Engine management expands from minute movements to full vehicle Electronic controls grow in complexity as engine designers extend their scope to include hydraulics.

A model in aftertreatment A look at 1-D numerical models, based on chemical kinetics derived for real-world catalysts, for a vanadium oxide ammonia SCR catalyst and a PGM-based DOC.

Saving space To address packaging constraints in off-highway equipment, engineers developed a fuel vaporizer catalyst that makes for a more compact aftertreatment system. Steering toward safety A look at new technology concepts to overcome design issues inherent in adapting steering angle for heavy-duty applications. A fluid performance Researchers have developed a procedure to measure a fluid's effect on the degree to which mechanical power is efficiently converted to hydraulic power in pumps typical of off-highway applications.

Why Volt? After 48 months' development, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt has enetered series production. The pioneering "E-REV" is as important to the mobility industry as it is to GM. Creating the heart of Volt GM's battery requirements meant creating new state-of-the-art in-vehicle engery storage - and doing it in less than four years. Top GM and supplier engineers reveal how they did it. Engineering with maniacal focus A dedicated, cohesive team and a conservative engineering approach put this innovative vehicle into production at moon-shot speed. A unique electrified transaxle Hybrid or not? Definitions aside, what really matters is GM wisely leveraged its next-generation Two Mode propulsion technology to give Volt greater overall efficiency. Sweating the body details Extensive wind-tunnel work gave Volt a shape that's slicker than it looks. But engineers aren't happy with the curb weight.

A winning iQ SAE members voted Toyota's new microcar the Best Engineering Vehicle for 2009. The iQ shows its smarts with brilliant packaging, city-friendly efficiency, and superb overall execution. Diesel or gasoline hybrids? As the global financial crisis deepens, companies must hone their R&D programs and attempt to choose winning technologies with the European OEMs, in particular, debating their hybrid strategies. Engine upgrade With displacements headed downward but output expectations undiminished, evolving sensor technologies and strategies are helping to give a boost to engine performance, efficiency, and emissions. Smooth riding ahead Integration and continuous development are the key words as chassis dynamics head into this century's second decade. Building in smarter materials Technologies that can automatically respond to changing conditions are expected to show up increasingly in future automobiles.

Consumed by changes Reprogramming becomes the focus of engineers as radios become multifunction head units integrating many infotainment functions. Design insiders Packaging, comfort, 'premiumness,' and quality are keywords in the vocabulary of car interior designers, but significant changes to interior structures could lead to a design revolution. Accident avoidance 2.0 OEMs and suppliers are going to great lengths to ensure the proper performance of their next generation of active safety products. Automotive policy goes to the polls Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama stake out different positions on issues affecting the automotive industry and future vehicle engineering. Mitsubishi i MiEC Instead of focusing on hybrid propulsion, the company is hoping to be a leader in all-electric vehicles by readying a minicar for 2010 launch. Tato Nano The Indian automaker intends to overcome obstacles and deliver on its promise of a $2500 all-weather, safe family car.

Cadillac CTS GM's all-new global sports sedan makes no excuses in chassis dynamics, body integrity, powertrain performance, premium materials, and overall craftsmanship. Taking control of hybrids Software must monitor and manage many parameters while coordinating the complex operations of the engine, electric motors, and batteries. LIghter, faster, lower cost Ducati's top engineer brought a "maniacal" approach to developing the 1098 superbike. Diesels' brave new year Lean-NOx catalysts, closed-loop cylinder pressure sensing, and homogenous combustion are making "50-states" diesels a reailty. Behind the curtain AEI takes an in-depth look at how the designers and engineers at General Motors took the company's trio of new crossover SUVs from sketchbook to road. Engineering from everywhere With future growth in car and truck sales coming mainly from emerging markets, companies are realigning their engineering operations accordingly.

Taking control of safety As the debate rages on about allowing cars to intervene with functions such as braking or steering in critical situations, automakers and suppliers are continuing development, but many challenges remain. Power to the hybrids Many facets of drivetrain control prompt developments in power storage, systems, and components. Working together The European industry's leading designers and engineers ponder the shape of things to come. Beautiful engineering Though more and more technology will make its way into cars in the future, it must be successfully integrated into vehicle designs with more customer appeal. The designers Despite constraints such as government regulation and an aging society, designers have room enough to exercise imagination for innovative and stylish solutions.