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Putting electrification to work For fleets, going green is a high priority-but making green is an even higher one. A move to 'more electric' engines Researchers detail a motor control design for the fuel system of a more electric aero engine, focusing on the necessary safety and reliability aspects. 2012-13 Hybrid Vehicles Guide A quick reference to the latest production HEVs and their key specifications.

Bang for the buck The best technology solutions for electrified vehicles are the ones that deliver ∼80% of the performance of 'ideal' systems, at ∼60% of their cost. Rise of the P2 machines Newcomers to hybrid-vehicle development are bypassing the Prius-proven powersplit system for lower-cost and moderately less capable single-motor solutions. Rethinking battery and e-motor materials Experts reveal efforts to find lower cost, more strategically stable solutions that can match or improve system performance.

Bringing the Leaf to life Chief Engineer Hidetoshi Kadota leveraged 20-plus years of electrification experience in the development of Nissan's new EV. Making a mass-market EV Nissan's Director of Product Planning and Advanced Technology Strategy details the leaf's journey from concept to production. Power from within A new motor and inverter system have been developed simultaneously as the dedicated electric powertrain of the Nissan EV. Staying within range The Leaf comes standard with many features designed to help ease fears of running out of "juice."

Fuel cells ready for commercial deployment GM Hydrotec boss says hydrogen fuel cells now are a viable zero-emissions choice for work trucks, other transportation modes. Battery chemistries for construction EVs NMC and LFP lithium-ion batteries find favor in different regions as OEMs move to electrify larger excavators and loaders. Betting big on LFP battery cells for electric CVs Accelera by Cummins, Daimler Truck and Paccar collaborate to establish a 21-GWh dedicated factory in the U.S. with technology partner EVE Energy.

Hyliion shifts focus from propulsion to power generation Prime power and EV charging are two areas that can benefit from the Karno linear generator beginning later this year. Intensifying pursuit of autonomous trucks Daimler Truck and Torc have established a clear roadmap that brings SAE level 4 trucks to the U.S. market by 2027. Commercial-truck EV fleets slow to grow Even for the largest players, the underdeveloped charging ecosystem is hampering commercial-truck fleets' electrification efforts.

Perkins bets big on smaller engine The new 2600 Series 13-liter engine for off-highway machines will do more with less thanks to variable geometry turbocharging. BorgWarner targets more- sustainable e-motors System optimization and lifecycle analysis are key to taking heavy rare earths out of next-gen motors for commercial EVs. Enhancing digital platforms with CT data analysis TE Connectivity gains critical insights using Volume Graphics software throughout design, simulation and manufacturing.

Big future for e-axles, advanced motors Top transmission engineers claim driveline electrification will transform everything from all-wheel drive to Class 8 tractor-trailers. Big data's benefits keep a-comin' Gigabytes of data are being collected and increasingly mined to improve field operations, maintenance and even vehicle design. Transformative times Despite a challenging climate, technology development progresses - as does the sharing of innovative ideas - virtually. Editorial Zeroing in on zero emissions Softing envisions secure, reliable predictive maintenance Reconstructing accidents in the ADAS age Paving the way to improved truck fuel efficiency Nikola looks to accelerate production, hydrogen infrastructure Mecalac designs unique-pivoting swing loader Q&A' Horiba's Joshua Israel discusses complex regulatory landscape's impact on commercial-vehicle development and shift to electrification.

Rotary SI/CI combustion engines: A thing of the future? The internal combustion engine enjoys widespread use as an inexpensive and reliable power conversion system. While piston engines date back 150 years, various alternative engine architectures and cycles have been considered. Aftertreatment comes with challenging diagnosis Diagnosing engine and aftertreatment systems is forcing design teams to look at new ways to diagnose problems over long vehicle lifetimes. Taking on NVH reduction techniques A look at the enhanced durability benefits obtained by changing the polymer composition, manufacturing methods, and design optimization of a powertrain mount for an off-highway vehicle.

Safety steps up Electronic controls let suppliers improve safety without sacrificing reliability.

Tier 4 for large bore Engineers show that a pre-turbine aftertreatment system offers clear and distinct benefits in terms of compact, cost-effective emissions reductions. Programmed for safety and reliability The software that adds features and functions is becoming more reliable as standards and new techniques transform design processes. Electrohydraulics improve with new lift-control strategy Fuel consumption, torque delivery, and emissions can all be improved through flexible control of the valve timing, duration, and lift.

Perking up fatigue analysis with simulation Using CAE simulation tools for fatigue and durability offers advantages to off-highway equipment engineers as they have grown in capability.

Cold metal transfer process picks up heat CMT, with its unique characteristics, is a process that was designed particularly for welding of thin materials while achieving high quality standards.

Software takes center stage Programs for hydraulics must combine reliability and flexibility. Technical Innovations Carraro launches concept variable transmission transaxle. Original Eqipment Case CE says new crawler dozer offers big performance, not weight.

The diesel engine diet Researchers correlate engine performance and durability with the properties of alternative fuels that consist of vegetable oils and animal fats. Looking at a safer future Software, other sensors will augment cameras as safety's role in the off-highway industry takes an upward spiral. Plastics expand their range From high-speed train exterior panels to powertrain components, plastics and composite materials are finding their way into more off-highway applications.

Delivering simulation benefits Product-development software tools are being put to good use in many off-highway industry segments. Movingalong with stationary power Performance, reliability, and cleanliness are just a few of the golden rules for all engines, whether they are propelling a tractor or powering a barn. Frames adapt to changing environments Heavy-equipment frames do not often get a lot of attention from customers, due mainly to the fact that they get plenty of attention during the design cycle. 2005 technology in review A look back at some of the most significant technological innovations in the news during the past year, as deemed by readers and editors.

Undercarriage undergoes overhaul Caterpillar believes that a total revamp of its track-type tractors should trim operating costs by 30 to 70%. Machine control Off-highway equipment is being dragged along the technology curve toward autonomy. The diesel solution SAE 100 Future Look: The future of commercial vehicles is a subject that Navistar International focuses on every day. Emissions regulations uphold 'technological excellence' The automotive and transportation industries are some of the most regulated due to the strict emissions requirements in the development of diesel engines, which affect the future of all powertrains. Tomorrow's powertrain technology: 100 years in the making SAE 100 Future Look: The SAE's 100th anniversary has all of the engineering community reflecting on past accomplishments, as well as focusing on what will happen in the future.

Technology for small-engine emissions reduction Swiss researchers used a modern four-stroke engine in conjunction with a commercially available catalytic converter and special gasoline to develop a significantly cleaner-running walk-behind mower. Large-scale application of J1939 The SAE electronic systems communication standard provides a method for achieving engineering flexibility, product standardization, parts rationalization, service, and customer convenience. Focus on electronics OEMs and their suppliers are developing vehicle systems for improved vehicle operation and reliability/durability with the help of electronics. The following pages review some recent industry advancements. 2000 SAE International Off-Highway Congress: one for the ages From antique off-highway equipment to the latest in intelligent vehicle technology, the 2000 SAE International Off-Highway & Powerplant Congress & Exposition brings yesterday and tomorrow together today.

Finding success on an international track Student members of the University of Missouri's Formula SAE team are learning firsthand that international collaboration is the future of engineering. A vision. A car. A cause. New Mexico State Aggies are tough enough to race pink. CyberAuto Challenge helps close talent gap Having a supply of high-quality young engineers is key to beefing up the automotive industry's cyber defenses.

The Nano in retrospect A senior graduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology looks at the development of the world's cheapest car and its effect on Indian car users. A different riff on your basic two-seat electric car Markus Lienkamp, Chair of Automotive Engineering at the Technical University of Munich, is leading the Visio.M project, a German government-supported R&D effort to produce a low-cost, high-utility electric car that might attract the interest of the middle European mass market. Materials lead the way to vehicle mass reduction Reducing a vehicle's mass opens the door for a downsized engine and transmission, a lighter cradle and body structure, smaller wheels and brakes, as well as a weight-slimmed suspension. The start point for this ripple effect is materials.

Shed a few joules with better aerodynamics A team of engineering students from Laval University has managed to reduce the energy demand due to wind resistance of its Supermileage vehicle by 10% after carefully designing a new vehicle body with a 25% larger frontal area. Telemetry helps Formula SAE team close the loop on design Once a year, a team of students at Virginia Tech get to do something that ought to put a grin on any aspiring engineer's face: build a racecar. Unconventional steel wheel designs The drawings done by collegiate students for a steel wheel design competition had industry professionals thinking about future production possibilities.