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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.

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. Camelina-based biofuel shows advantages in turboprop Researchers within the government of Canada see the need to improve the emissions performance of the Rolls-Royce T56 engine, which despite its age remains a workhorse for its military aircraft fleet.

Low risk, high gain stakes in aerospace design With the aerospace world pulling back from groundbreaking, high-risk aircraft designs, how are PLM and CAE suppliers adapting in providing solutions?

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.

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.

The French resurgence Despite facing great domestic political challenges, resulting from the growing national debt level and a general financial malaise in the Euro-zone countries within the EU, successive French governments have remained highly supportive of their aerospace sector.

Going lean from scratch Embraer applied lean manufacturing concepts during the planning and construction of a new composites assembly line for its Legacy 500.

Filling the space A look at the changing face of manned spaceflight and the commercialization of orbital access. Distribution of power When designing the electrical distribution system for a turboelectric architecture, it is imperative to select technologies that will provide the highest efficiency and stability for the propulsion system.

Simulation helps manage change in aircraft manufacturing Commercial aircraft demand is up even while sequestration and other forces are forcing scale-backs in defense-related programs. From managing complex supply chains to improving scrap rates in casting, digital simulation is proving a valuable aid.

PEFCs to transform UAVs Advancements in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells have resulted in longer endurance missions for smaller UAVs as well as an enabler for electric aircraft that require vertical takeoff and landing capability. 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.

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.

Big fans gear up for new battles The big difference in newer commercial airplanes comes where it can't be seen: in the structure, in new materials, in the avionics, and most importantly, in the engines. Integrated Vehicle Health Management The aims of IVHM include improved safety through the use of diagnostics and prognostics to fix faults before they are an issue, as well as improve availability of fleets through better maintenance scheduling.

Virginia Tech rising to hybrid challenge The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team of Virginia Tech (HEVT) is using custom motors and powertrains to re-engineer a 2013 Chevy Malibu to make it more environmentally friendly. Directing diesel's debut in U.S. Grand-Am racing Speedsource's engineering director, a Formula SAE grad from the Univ. of Florida, is helping to put Mazda's new compounded-turbo diesel engine in the Grand-Am winner's circle. Royal College of Art preps designers for expanded role Vehicle design is broadening and moving upwards in both intellectual and business terms, with many designers reaching board level, says London's Royal College of Art professor Dale Harrow. Shelby upgrades Mustang and Focus The company pumps up its Super Snake to 850 hp (634 kW) and lowers the Focus ST for Shelby-grade performance in 2013 . Vortex rocket engine reaps the whirlwind Lightweight combustion chamber walls stay cool because hot-burning propellant remains confined to a central cyclone.

In hybrid systems, mild beats wild The coming wave of 48-v mild hybrids aim for maximum benefit at minimal cost.

Advanced aluminum solutions for next-gen aerospace structures Airline competitiveness and the demand for improved aircraft performance and affordability (acquisition and operational) are driving advancements in technologies that can enable these improvements. 2050 vision Airbus provides a far-ranging, thought-provoking, reach-out toward some of the changes the commercial aerospace industry might expect to see by 2050.

Head units connect Any delay in terms of schedule or not meeting the specifications or budget can have a huge impact on the viability of a program as well as the companies involved. New software demonstrates companies can actually deliver on what they commit.

No more molecules! Companies continue to invest in new chemistries for EV batteries, but at least one company in the battery industry thinks it's time to halt the unending search for new chemical formulations and focus on driving down processing costs.

Joining metal/composite structures The interference-fit bolted joining of hybrid metal/composite can greatly improve the fatigue life of such joints, according to Chinese researchers.

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.

Gradually going green The number of commercial airplanes globally is expected to double by 2030, but will there be enough fuel to keep them flying? 57 channels and everything's on Radios handle more frequencies as well as visual inputs, forcing developers to employ many design strategies. Surmounting modeling pitfalls A look at software tools that aid in the efficient model-based design of next-generation energy-optimized aircraft. 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.