Search Results

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.

Inside the cell walls The high cost of lithium-ion batteries is a prison that has largely kept electric vehicles off the street; the keys to their release are more effective—but not more expensive—cell chemistries.

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.

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.

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.

BMW i3 was born electric The carbon-fiber-bodied city car is the German automaker's first series-production entry into the electric-vehicle space. High temperatures narrow material choices for electrified vehicles One of the biggest challenges confronting electric and hybrid-electric vehicle designers today is how to manage the high temperatures stemming from the electrical losses associated with high-power electronics.

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.

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.

Taking on the Valeo Innovation Challenge Two Canadian teams-the University of Ottawa and the University of Waterloo-finished in the top 3 among about 1,000 other universities from around the world in this challenge devoted to spurring innovative ideas for transportation. Colorado State University designs fuel-cell plug-in hybrid system Competing in the EcoCAR2 competition using a Chevrolet Malibu, the Colorado State team designed a system that features a 15-kW polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system, an 18.9-kW•h/177-kW lithium-ion battery, and a 145-kW motor. Cal State Fullerton combines art and engineering Team's submission on its Formula SAE car won first place in the second annual Generation Auto video contest organized in part by SAE International. Collaborative research project leads to potentially swarming VTOL UAVs The AVIGLE VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) unmanned aerial vehicle was developed via collaboration by a variety of entities for a variety of applications.

Evaluation of heavy-vehicle aerodynamic drag In an attempt to achieve a balance between Reynolds number, model scale, and tunnel blockage issues, a 1:3 scale heavy-vehicle testing program has been initiated at the Monash University 1.4-MW wind tunnel. Validating performance suspension parts advances A forum at the 2013 SEMA Show discussed three approaches to ensure performance parts compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 126. Panelists also explained how simulation data, and kinematics and compliance measurements, can improve performance parts design. Active safety starts in the pilot's seat Dassault Aviation's next-generation integrated digital avionics systems contribute to enhanced air safety in civil applications. Chevrolet ups the performance ante with MY2015 Corvette Z06 Stiffer-bodied sports car gains wind-aided performance with supercharging and downforce for faster lap times.

When real life and FEA meet Model validation becomes the focus for building the chassis of a BAJA SAE vehicle. One student offers his advice for making smart choices while using FEA. Wait...where is Manitoba? Andrew Smith, Executive Vice Chair for the University of Manitoba's SAE International Chapter faces limited resources and the growth of what was once a small team. High hopes or just dreaming? A look at how Asia's aircraft manufacturers are trying to break into new markets to challenge the status quo. Operators see bright screens in their future HMIs borrow from tablets, phones to help operators perform a broad range of tasks.

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.

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.

ETS Baja parts failure analysis: Geared for success When the ETS Baja team had to withdraw from the Baja Auburn 2012 event due to abnormal gear failure, an extensive analysis was required to ensure that problems of this nature would not surface again. After some serious investigation, the conclusion of almost 30 hours of research was unexpected and proved surprisingly simple. Body and soul rule at 2012 Formula SAE Months before the Formula SAE Michigan competition in May, teams were hashing out product development decisions. The end-game was presenting a racecar that had the right stuff for earning high points in the challenge's vehicle design evaluation as well as the acceleration, skid pad, endurance, and autocross dynamic performance events.

Electrochemical reactions Students from the Department of Automotive Engineering at the NED University of Engineering and Technology build the first onboard fuel-cell vehicle of Pakistan. The Baja balance How to combine heavy homework load with your CDS team responsibilities. Embraer progresses on clean-sheet military program It has been over two years since Embraer announced that it would be developing the KC-390 military airlift and tanker jet under a contract with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), which established the requirements for the aircraft as it did with other Embraer military programs. Calling all recruiters Lack of response to distributed resumes leaves many wondering, is anyone out there?

SAE Supermileage champ achieves 2158 mpg Teams of collegiate engineering students show pathways to amazing vehicle fuel efficiency inthe 32nd annual competition, making the top 10 meant beating 500 mpg! Engineer employment study reveals positive hiring trends A recent study from SAE analysts suggests that the future may be looking up for mobility engineers on the job hunt. Oklahoma's active Aero attack Students at the University of Oklahoma have spurred new ideas for aerodynamics development in Formula SAE with their newest wing package. SJSU grad, GM engineer receives Rumbaugh Award Rumbaugh Award recipient Randy Floresca says being involved with SAE was key to securing his current job. Electronics take the lead in the motorcycle race Bike-industry engineers are integrating electronic and electrical technologies in the quest for higher performance, more features-and zero emissions.

Road to lab to math Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students designed a biodiesel-fueled power-split extended range electric vehicle for the latest ecocar challenge. Deep (Orange) Dive Cu-icar teams with industry to complete a student-engineered and -designed extended- range EV. Trends impacting military and defense engineering Industry leaders discussed a number of pressing issues- ranging from the need for more young engineers to significantly compressed design cycles- at the recent SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineeering Congress. Shifting gears smoothly Kleine, a 30-year veteran of Cummins Inc. and former SAE Commercial Vehicle VP, seeks continuity over change as he moves into SAE's driver's seat.

Engineering a turnaround After months of financial turmoil and a scarcity of jobs, new engineers may finally be finding some relief about life after college. Do you have what it takes? When the stress of a school project becomes too much to handle, passion and determination can take you a long way. Bloodhound on the land speed record trail One thousand miles per hour is the ambitious target for Project Bloodhound SSC (super sonic car). A record run is planned for August 2011 at the Hakskeen Pan, in Northern Cape province, South Africa. Where the rubber meets the road and grease meets the fingernails Participants in SAE International's Collegiate Design Series (CDS) generally lack in one significant area: sleep.

High-speed education @ formula hybrid event Annual competition provides a hands-on learning experience for undergraduate and graduate engineering students. Body-shaped for supermileage Six different single-occupant vehicles designed and built by teams of collegiate engineering students snared four-digit fuel economy at Eaton Corp.'s Marshall, MI, test track during the 31st annual SAE Supermileage competition in June. Mercedes-AMG goes with the current flow Opening the doors on new technology. First flight approaches for 'disruptive' new UAV engine An earlier iteration of UAS' Nightwind 2 in flight, powered by an off-the-shelf industrial engine. Three resume tips for college grads Employers often hire recent graduates to mold new hires to their own corporate culture and work philosophy, leading some employers to look more for potential than for specific experience.

Giving the blind the freedom to drive A Virginia Tech student team answers a call to action by the National Federation of the Blind's Jernigan Institute. 'Ultimate Youthmobile' of 2030 At the 2009 LA Auto Show, California designers envision the future. BMW's six-cylinder motorcycle Concept points to possible production bike. Modeling and simulation put emphasis on early planning The shift to model-based design and simulation is changing the way aircraft are designed, shifting the focus to the early phases of development. Early planning is critical for success, as is establishing techniques that ensure that files move freely between various work teams.