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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

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.

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.

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.

The buzz about electric aircraft Emissions limits force the aviation industry to study hybrid and battery-electric propulsion systems. Car-to-X marks the secure beamforming spot Intelligent networking of cars and infrastructure promises a future of enhanced active safety and traffic efficiency, though as an open and decentralized system, car-to-X is exposed to various attacks against security and driver's privacy. Talking big A look at factors that should be considered by OEMs when implementing a telematics solution in the heavy-duty on- and off-highway mobile equipment markets.

On the verge of the Digital Age Increasingly connected electrohydraulic systems and machine controls allow the high degree of controllability that's essential for automated operations. Miserly power systems Engineers push engine, transmission technologies to turn off fuel usage. All options on the table Powertrain developers who spoke at SAE COMVEC are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to trim emissions. Cab air quality: A critical component of operator comfort Focus on defining cab air quality, measuring it, and designing the needed performance into cabin designs and HVAC systems is intensifying. Expanding fast charging faster Tritium works to accelerate installation of DC fast-charging infrastructure to keep up with growing demand for commercial EVs.

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. Military vehicles battle for autonomy at lower cost Engineers are adding sensors, more powerful micros and faster networks as they automate tasks and pave the way to autonomy. Heavy duty lightweighting Optimization of tractor-trailer systems and component design helps to reduce overall vehicle mass, a key strategy in improving fuel economy and meeting upcoming Phase 2 GHG regulations. Navistar's SuperTruck II explores composites, WiFi to cut weight Methane state of mind New Holland ramps up its focus on alternative fuels, showcasing a methane-powered concept tractor that trims emissions, operating costs.

Virtual powertrain development Simulation is critical for efficient product development, but proper tool selection and efficient data management are keys to success. Blue Arc amps up for EV production Shyft Group's EV subsidiary is lighting the path for the electrification of last-mile delivery vehicles as well as mobile charging solutions. Increasing connectivity in construction Jobsites look to overcome challenges posed by mixed fleets and proprietary telematics to achieve "one-dashboard" vision and increased machine utilization.

Over-the-air affair Remote updating of software and firmware on commercial trucks and off-highway machines is on the rise, not only for maintenance functions but also to add new features like operator-assist technology. Developments in engine-based gensets With demand for generator sets steady and regulatory change settling, suppliers can rationalize their offerings and push improvements in areas like noise abatement and economy. Testing, testing and even more testing The commercial-vehicle market is eager to adopt more ADAS and automated-driving innovations, but before those technologies get to the road they must first pass rigorous testing practices that prove their efficacy. Smart and connected powertrains FPT Tech Day reveals multi-power Cursor X concept, other "4.0 innovations" for hydrogen fuel cell, electric and natural gas propulsion.

Electrification not a one-size-fits-all solution Efforts in the off-highway industry have been under way for decades, but the technology still faces implementation challenges. SuperTruck redux A year plus into phase two of the promising DOE program to dramatically improve freight efficiency, project leads from three of the participating truck OEMs share their progress thus far and technology paths moving forward. From research to reality Danfoss works closely with off-highway OEMs throughout the development process, testing and demonstrating machines packed with new technology features. Big Data a focus for 2018 SAE President Mircea Gradu Velodyne CQO sees use of Big Data as a way to capitalize on multiple industry trends including vehicle electrification and automated vehicles.

The next phase Meeting Phase 2 fuel efficiency and GHG emissions for heavy trucks will require multiple technology pathways-some of which are still on the horizon. Active vibration damping for construction machines An innovative concept for an active system to reduce machine oscillations based on frequency identification. Consumer electronics come on board Smartphones and tablets are likely to play a large role in HMIs for heavy vehicles-if productivity and safety are not compromised. Patton's new campaign As new SAE International President for 2017, Doug Patton will advocate STEM, "cultivation" of prospective young engineers. PACCAR's Sproull primed for SAE Commercial Vehicle post As SAE International's new 2017-2020 Commercial Vehicle Sector VP, Landon Sproull intends to bolster the society's involvement in evolving industry regulations and to better cultivate cross-sector alliances.

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.

Meeting truck autonomy hurdles head-on Combining sensors, inter-vehicle communications and controllers poses major challenges in the effort to bring greater levels of automation to commercial trucking. Simulation key to additive manufacturing analysis Advanced simulation tools help to optimize 3D printing processes before physical build. Making the case for battery-electric fleet power Battery systems edge closer to a tipping point as commercial and heavy-duty fleets broaden their application. Electrified forklifts go big Hoist Liftruck brings full electrification to some of the biggest forklift trucks, motivated only in part by regulatory pressures.

Accelerating truck autonomy Platform-agnostic interfaces, field data analytics and smart diagnostics will help the commercial-vehicle industry reach SAE Level 4 and 5 operations sooner. Upswing in outsourced EV testing As testing for electric commercial-vehicle propulsion systems surges, Drive System Design is rushing to expand its testing capabilities in the U.S. to keep up with the demand. Global emissions regs demand differing engine strategies The best choice in emissions-reducing technology varies for the U.S. versus Europe and elsewhere, a Jacobs expert details. Precision ag aids sustainability Deere expert Deanna Kovar, a 2021 SAE COMVEC keynoter, provides her thoughts on the future of autonomy, computer vision and machine learning, data management and more.

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.

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.

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.

Connectivity continues its advance More OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are focusing on embedded telematic systems, hoping to displace aftermarket hardware. Tailoring fuel injection to control NOx The next big step to help heavy-duty diesel engines meet stricter emissions regulations involves adapting the fuel-injection system to the combustion needs. Active on safety Crash-avoidance technologies are vital "building blocks" to automate commercial vehicles, implement truck platooning and ultimately achieve zero accidents. Engineering with simulation and data Companies are discovering new simulation techniques, especially optimization; the next step is to combine simulation with sensor data and predictive analytics to create even more robust off-highway equipment.

Demon alcohol? The impact of Ethanol fuels on regulated tailpipe emissions is studied and assessed by two Chrysler researchers in a 2012 SAE technical paper.

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.