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Harley-Davidson's e-bike shocker (video) Is the motorcycle market ready for a Harley-Davidson EV? Project LiveWire was designed to provide answers, said Chief Engineer Jeff Richlen. Airbus has its eye on the future of cleaner flight CleanSky 2 targets are to increase aircraft fuel efficiency enough to reduce CO2 emissions by 20-30% and reduce aircraft NOx and noise emissions by 20-30% compared to newly designed aircraft entering into service in 2014-or essentially halve 2005 CO2 emissions levels by 2050. Soul EV extends the range frontier (video) Specially formulated NCM battery cells are key in giving the vehicle class-leading EV range while enabling engineers to fit a high-energy-density battery pack underfloor with little sacrifice of passenger cabin space.

Into the DEAP The Distributed Electrical Aerospace Propulsion project looks toward a future optimized integrated propulsion system that will allow cleaner, quieter, and more efficient performance incorporated into a radically innovative airframe that will feature enclosed electrically powered fans.

When fuel cells fly Emerging hydrogen and fuel-cell-based technologies are being developed for the future replacement of onboard electrical systems in more-electric or all-electric aircraft. Motor controls spin forward Improved power handling and software advances make electrified powertrains more competitive. Multiple controllers adds to EV complexity Model-based design has revolutionized the way products are developed, with design shifting from parts to the whole.

Lithium-ion refinement Even as high-profile fires create concern, battery and car makers accelerate their move toward lithium-ion technology with advances in cost, performance, and safety. NASA's quest for maximum efficiency As part of its hybrid body wing aircraft with turboelectric distributed propulsion system, NASA has proposed to use a superconducting and cryogenic electrical system to connect the electrical output of the generators to the motors.

Fuel cells for auxiliary power OEM and supplier researchers explore the benefits of utilizing solid-oxide fuel-cell APUs to help meet heavy-duty truck anti-idling requirements. Safer EV batteries could enter the crush zone ARPA-e targets "robust" batteries that not only bear loads but also absorb crash-impact energy to save weight.

The row about rare earths Rare-earth elements are key to applications as varied as traction motors, catalytic converters, and wind turbines, but high prices and supply shortages have the auto industry grappling with design changes and other alternatives.

'Infernal' combustion no more Continuous improvements to the 130-year-old ICE aim to keep conventional engines ahead of electric drive. Alternative fuels tested at altitude Federal government researchers in Canada tested certain alternative fuels at simulated altitudes and found that they do offer some benefit.

Alternative fuels heat up This is a rich time for combustion researchers. The need for better fuel efficiency and improved emissions has never been greater. New software model to help engine makers meet diesel soot standards Simulation enables engineers to predict particulate formation early in the design process.

Integration opens the door Semiconductor suppliers are integrating many functions into power devices while also cutting power consumption in an environment, automotive doors, where 8-bit microcontrollers still hold sway.

Democratisation of Technology Ian Adcock caught up with Andreas Schamel, Quest for the self-propelled car A team of experts is working to integrate batteries into structural components, in a move that could not only lead to the efficiency and range of vehicles being increased, but ultimately see them powered by their own body structures. Ryan Borroff reports Flexible and intelligent Engine management systems are becoming increasingly complex, in order to cope with a wider range of fuels, as well as tougher legislation. Chris Edwards reports

UK plc? It's the only place to be! Where is the best location for global car makers and suppliers to grow their businesses and research and development? The UK, says AIO's Joe Greenwell, without hesitation. Ian Adcock reports Time for a rethink A free-piston IC generator has been developed for range-extended hybrids. Steven Ashley looks at the implications One champ, two contenders Breakthrough battery technology and electric power assist are the key factors that will accelerate the transition to 48 volts, says Ian Adcock

Spotlight on Bernard Gilmont Ian Adcock talks with the European Aluminium Association director about light weighting and improved vehicle efficiency Hydrogen: The Power Broker Andrew English on the challenges of storing hydrogen, using metal-organic frameworks Bridging the gap In an Automotive Design exclusive, Richard Yarrow reveals the secrets behind Harman's interconnected infotainment technology

Teams make unique statements at FSAE Michigan Some statements produced better results than others, but all teams walked away from the 2014 FSAE Michigan event with invaluable hands-on engineering experience. Teams get 'super' results at SAE Supermileage University students from around the world gathered in Marshall, MI, to determine which team could achieve the highest fuel economy at the 353th anniversary of the competition. Competition winners react to attaining coveted F1 engineering roles Two of the winners have Formula SAE experience on their side.

Buckeye Current's TT triumph The Ohio State University reprised its third-place finish in the 2014 TT Zero for all-electric motorcycles, beating some of the pros on the world's toughest race circuit. Kettering FSAE team improved as season progressed Lowest priced may not mean the best, but certainly not the worst. Leveling the field: getting #girlsinstem Despite facing the brunt of gender segregation, women are forging ahead and dramatically improving STE M, both academically and professionally. Mercedes-AMG's SLS departure opens door to new GT Powering the car is an all-new biturbo 4.0-L V8 available with two power levels: hot (GT) at 340 kW (456 hp) and exceedingly hot (GTS) at 375 kW (503 hp).

The comeback car The Cal Poly Pomona FSAE Team implements several measures to help overcome setbacks and achieve a podium finish at Formula SAE Lincoln. Going deep The uBox concept car developed as part of Clemson's Deep Orange program features a uniquely formed roof part. Creating a monster North Dakota State University SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge team brings to life a war-torn engine pieced together with parts from another.

Have diesel will race (and learn) Mazda's factory SkyActiv diesel race program switched to the Prototype class in 2014, teaching the SpeedSource team valuable engineering lessons for 2015. Starting and developing an engineering career: barriers and opportunities Very strong role models who have a marked enthusiasm for their subject are needed at every point along an employee's education and work career. The knock on gasoline engines Two major strategies to increase the efficiency of SI engines are to raise the compression ratio and to downsize the engine using a turbocharger, but both have issues with knock. Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan Automotive Laboratory tackle the problem. Minecraft: getting kids into coding Stephen Foster, CEO and Co-founder of THOUGHTSTEM, has a new outlook on STEM education and the utilities that can be used to get kids involved in software coding.

Diesel gets a promotion at SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge The main rules change for the 2015 season is creation of a new engine category (diesel), the event's organizer notes in providing an overview of the SAE Collegiate Design Series competition. Wisconsin-Stout puts faith in gearbox redesign for Baja Blue Devil Racing Team believes packaging and durability advantages more than offset weight and low-end-torque penalties. Test cell at Kansas University does double duty Single-cylinder engine test cell designed for research into biodiesel also serves as an instruction tool for students. University of Michigan students have hand in Volt battery reliability Technology co-developed by U of M monitors the quality of welds used in the joining of Chevy Volt battery cells.

Solving the carbon problem Promoting a sustainable future for the transportation industry will benefit the welfare of humankind. My Baja SAE journey Every day, I realize how much Baja SAE has taught me-both in life and in engineering. Honda unveils next-gen motorcycle powertrains New engines designed for low-speed torque, fuel efficiency, and riding 'character' are coupled with new DCT and CVT transmissions. Three rules of career management for 2012 Do you have a career management plan to ensure your career growth in times of corporate chaos?

New contender for the World Solar Challenge Splitting the solar power supply from the aerodynamics was the innovative approach taken by the U.K.-based Cambridge University Eco Racing Team. Mobility in the 21st Century for India: planning and creating multimodal transportation systems India's rapidly growing population has made transportation systems unable to effectively keep up with demand, losing the country untold man-hours and wasting money. 2014 Corvette: 460 hp, 30 mpg, 1 g, $52,000 No other sports car can match the C7's combination of performance, value, and overall efficiency. Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter provides insight on executing a masterpiece.

Inductive approach An engineering professor from Ryerson uses MapleSim to introduce more exploratory methods of teaching. Monash University scores fourth Formula SAE-A win The Monash University Formula SAE-A team demonstrated its dominance by winning its fourth consecutive Australasian event in Melbourne last December. Audi Urban Intelligent Assist The three-year joint effort between Audi AG, the Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) in Belmont, CA, the University of Southern California, the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of California at San Diego aimed at improving drivers' information and decision-making capabilities. Hovering aircraft programs The AW609 tiltrotor and the X3 compound helicopter offer different technology solutions to the challenge of achieving higher speeds and higher-quality point-to-point air transport.