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Economies of (drivetrain) scale Emissions challenges continue, but engine and transmission technology is advancing solutions and improving vehicle systems intergration. Searching for real-world responses Prototype testing is constantly changing as electronic technologies help transform equipment; design processes adjust as digital development evolves. Hydraulic brakes on one hand, air brakes on the other Building a better brake system had continued to challenge engineers for more than a century, as a changing world has demanded correspondingly advanced brake technology. Top technologies of 2007 A look back at some of the most significant technological innovations during the past year.

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.

Integration helps fuel push for conservation As rising fuel prices and looming environmental regulations bring fuel economy to the fore, hydraulic system developers are pitching in to improve efficiency and help conserve precious resources. Simulating hydraulic valve pressure drop CFD software is being used more and more frequently during the design of off-highway systems and components. 2006 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. Position sensing in machine controls As performance requirements for off-highway equipment become more demanding, the need for greater control of motion and power grows as well.

Bridging the power gap An alliance between Cummins and Komatsu provides an intriguing prospect to the industrial engine market with the new QSK78 industrial engine. Large eddy simulation in hydraulic valves Cavitation in hydraulic spool valaves involves large-scale vortical structures in an unsteady submerged jet. According to engineers from Purdue University, curent CFD approaches do not accurately predict these unsteady vortices, nor do they properly account for bubble-dynamics/flow-structure interactions. Proving heavy-vehicle performance The Nevada Automotive Test Center and Mechanical Dynamics joined forces to redesign and improve the drivetrain, frame, steering, and other subsystems of a heavy-duty military-vehicle for the USMC. Tying it all together GPS. Engine diagnostics. Wireless communications. So much technology. So many voices. Is it a chorus of the Tower of Babel?

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.

Toward safer skies The mechanical safety of aircraft has made great strides over the years, allowing some engineers to focus on other aspects of flight safety. CFD in space Computational fluid dynamics provided a powerful tool in protecting astronauts on the ISS from CO2. Simulating safety Bombardier Aerospace simulates airflow in nacelles to prevent engine foreign-object damage.

Making an impact in fastening Engineers at Electroimpact help the company get a leg up on the competition in automated fastening. Narrowing in on military requirements UAVs/UCAVs are increasingly important, with the accent on integration- and wider engine choice. Machining and turning centers take center stage Makers of CNC machining equipment are incorporating more and better functionality into their products so users cope better with processing challenges such as those posed by tough new grades of aerospace materials. Open (and often) communication As aircraft companies battle for market share, uniting design and manufacturing teams remains a key challenge.

Simulating real-time safety Aircraft manufacturers are all pushing for ways to develop software more quickly without sacrificing reliability. Next-generation launchers: Only the tried and true need apply Companies find that some elements of the recipe for success have been handed down for generations. Polar satellites tries to weather storm NPOESS satellites would allow more accurate weather predictions for both military and civilian weather services.

Showing how it's done Engineers are using software to better manage product development data, and applying tools to a new class of problems. NASA goes deep The agency's new long-term space exploration program starts with a return to the moon and will ultimately enable future exploration of Mars and other solar system destinations. Farnborough preview In an event that happens just once every two years, bringing the multitudes together, it is important to get as much technology as possible into the open and to find solutions to hard problems. Seats under crash loading The FAA and academia have conducted aircraft seat drop tests to compare and contrast passenger crash protection. A fluid approach Aerospace engineers have started using CFD software earlier and earlier in the design process.

The dawn of the jet age: the first 10 years One of the ironies of aviation history is that the most obvious potential power source for a fixed-wing aircraft was barely considered by the early pioneers. Airflow simulation for winglets Embraer engineers used CFD to visualize flow patterns around wings for a design retrofit. Aircraft-engine-mounting analysis Engineers from Honeywell adapted a rapid analysis approach to develop and validate a complex propulsion system. Reshaping F-16 production Following its contract with the Joint Strike Fighter program, Lockheed Martin is reconfiguring its F-16 assembly line in preparation for long-term JSF production starting later this year.

Materials become design, design becoems function Once things you could hold in your hand, materials have become more design ideas than entities, and the designs themselves are transforming into operational activity. The next steps in flight A look at sero engine and assembly developments as commercial airframe and engine manufacturers begin the biggest battle of all-for next-generation short-haul jet aircraft sales. NextGen Today and tomorrow The FAA has reached a major milestone on the Next Generation Air Transportation System initiative to modernize America's National Airspace System. Stacking the material deck for the 787 Combinations such as composites and titanium being used in future aircraft programs can be very challenging when drilling holes during manufacturing and assembly operations.

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.

The need for speeds The recent automatic-transmission introductions by Toyota, DaimlerChrysler, and ZF highlight the trend toward greater gear-ratio spreads for better launch performance and cruising efficiency. Mechanical advantage Ride and handling can be influenced and controlled by the latest electronics, but careful mechanical design of the suspension can deliver significant benefits. Hard drives Driven by the insatiable demand for more usable navigation information and entertainment content, automotive disk drives will become commonplace, but not until cost and other issues are overcome, experts predict. Trucks get aerodynamic touch Light truck and SUV designers must reconcile conservative customer tastes with the need for reduced drag to bost efficiency. Pedestrian protection possibilities Carmakers consider a variety of solutions to the problem of saving lives outside the vehicle.

The chain in China North American suppliers must confront some challenging supply-chain issues as they take aim at what could potentially become the world's largest automotive market. Visteon researches composite truck chassis The company used computer analysis extensively in a research project aimed at reducing the mass and complexity of a chassis structure while increasing strength and stiffness. Simulation goes beyond engineering Computational fluid dynamics simulation and visualization software vendors are introducing products to extend the value of CFD throughout the product life cycle, according to Acuitiv Software. Ford still riding Six Sigma quality horse Ford is combining Six Sigma with kaizen events at its plants around the globe to coax new ideas from its hourly workers in hopes of closing the gap with perennial vehicle-quality leader Toyota.

Finding solutions for Sustainable Mobility SAE created its SMS team to help industry rethink itself as part of the new industrial revolution and the EV transition within it. Debarbonizing the EV battery supply chain Altering manufacturing processes and using a much higher percentage of low emission energy can help the battery industry get greener rapidly, according to a new McKinsey & Co. report. Europe's dust buster The pending Euro 7 vehicle-emissions regulations include a significant new sustainability wrinkle: first-ever restrictions for PM emissions from brakes. E-fueling for the future The development of carbon-neutral e-fuels enjoyed a major boost from European regulators, but production cost and scale remain issues. Fuels to transition the global legacy fleet The EV bandwagon has obscured potential solutions for decarbon-izing the enormous global ICE legacy fleet.

Getting an engineering foundation through Formula SAE Having an underclassman with no leadership experience as team captain proved to be no hindrance to the University of Texas-Arlington Formula SAE team. Experience and innovation walk hand in hand Team from Pontifical Catholic University carries success in native Brazil to U.S. in SAE Aero Design competition. 'Complete, finish, win' University of Stuttgart team rides that motto to victories and podium finishes by the dozen.

I was promised flying cars Though flying cars seem unlikely to become reality anytime soon, driverless vehicle technology is improving more quickly than you might expect. Quantum leaps toward world solar car title Armed with a dramatically lighter and aerodynamically cleaner racecar, the University of Michigan team likes its chances down under in the 2011 World Solar Challenge. Designing an aerodynamic undertray for a Formula style racecar Using CFD analysis, a master's student discovers an effective design for the undertray of a Formula SAE racecar. Hypersonic possibilities When it comes to reviving high-speed air travel, it all comes down to propulsion, propulsion, propulsion.

Originality revs up Formula SAE Michigan teams More than 100 Formula SAE teams vied for top honors at the annual Michigan competition that spotlights one-of-a-kind open-wheel racecars designed and built by student engineers. American manufacturing in the hands of UNF students University of North Florida students design and build Formula vehicles for nationwide competition focused on challenging the minds of future engineers. Solar EV thunder down under Michigan is aiming for its first victory in next month's 2013 World Solar Challenge with a new asymmetrical racecar that is ready for 1860 mi (2990 km) in the Australian sun. Solar Impulse Team's next challenge: to circle the globe The next world-girdling version of the fuel-less flier will rely on featherweight polymers and composites.

Steer-by-wire stars on the new Lexus RZ 450e Lexus' first BEV arrives with innovative touches, dual-axle propulsion and less-than-spectacular range. Rethinking the grid for EVs Interoperability and 'smart' energy management are vital for meeting EV charging demand. Designing for 200 BMEP and 22,000 RPM How Honda's Grand Prix motorcycle program in the 1960s created the world's most-advanced IC engines. Spelling Ford with an 'e' Ford Motor Co.'s new Model e team aims to transform the 120-year-old auto giant. Meet some of its new technology leaders. Chamber made to protect EV batteries With the ACS Dust Chamber, testing to ISO 20653 helps ensure EV battery housing designs will keep out dust and small particulates.

SDVs redefine OEM, supplier relation- ships and deliver new feature CES 2024 offers a busy look at the software-defined-vehicle future Tuning-up AI's 'understanding' to make safer ADAS, AVs Kognic's advanced interpretation of sensor data helps artificial intelligence and machine learning recognize the human thing to do. Tremec-trification Tremec cranks up electric-drive innovation as the logical extension of its transmission-making expertise.