Description

This issue of Automotive and Transportation TOE profiles advancements in automotive vehicle performance, including kinetic energy recovery, slit cycle engines, optimized fuel efficiency, mitigating heat loss, optimizing driving behavior, thermoelectric energy generation, barometric pressure sensing, and enhanced materials.

The purpose of the Automotive and Transportation (A&T) Technology Opportunity Engine (TOE) is to raise awareness of global technology innovations in self-propelled ground-based mobile platforms that are not only technically significant, but potentially offering commercial value. Each monthly A&T TOE provides subscribers valuable descriptions and analyses of 8 noteworthy innovations, written by a qualified TechVision automotive engineer affiliated with SAE International (the Society of Automotive Engineers). The main focus is on highway-licensed motor vehicles (light, medium and heavy). Passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, scooters and railway locomotives are within the product scope, energized by any fuel. Many of the innovations concern powertrains (internal combustion engines, turbines, battery electrics, fuel cell electrics, hybrid-electrics), as well as drivetrains (including transmissions), interiors--seating and displays, advanced materials--as for body/chassis, wireless connectivity, and self-driving technology that is currently receiving so much attention. The A&T TOE outlines and evaluates each innovation, notes which organizations and developers are involved, projects the likely timing for commercialization, furnishes a patent analysis, and provides valuable strategic insights for industry stakeholders.

The Advanced Manufacturing and Automation (AMA) Cluster covers technologies that enable clean, lean and flexible manufacturing and industrial automation. Technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) printing, wireless sensors and networks, information and communication technology, multimaterial joining, composites manufacturing, digital manufacturing, micro- and nano-manufacturing, lasers, advanced software, and printing techniques, are covered as part of this cluster. The technologies covered here impact a wide range of industries, such as the impact semiconductor, automotive and transportation, aerospace and defense, industrial, healthcare, logistics, and electronics industries.

Keywords: Kinetic energy recovery, split cycle engine, fuel efficiency, heat loss, thermoelectric generator, waste heat, barometric pressure sensor, PEEK, polyamide