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Heavy-duty engine blender Researchers at Southwest Research Institute and Navistar exploring the feasibility of micro-pilot diesel-injection dual-fuel combustion at key part load conditions found it offers ultra-low smoke and NOx emissions while maintaining diesel-comparable fuel consumption and noise levels.

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.

A shift in the oil mix Tony Lewin speaks with Dr Mathias Woydt of Berlin's Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing Wind cheater As OEMs strive for greater vehicle efficiency, subtle changes in aerodynamics can deliver significant rewards, as Ian Adcock discovers

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.

Biofuel opportunities and pitfalls Annual growth in biofuels has been strong but is expected to slow in the near future. User interfaces going mainstream Off-highway HMIs use consumer technologies to add functions, simplify tasks. Reducing the environmental impact of hydraulic systems OEMS and their suppliers are creating new hydraulic systems and components, using new fluids and remanufacturing to save energy and reduce the environmental impact of off-highway equipment. Multiple controllers add to EV complexity Model-based design has revolutionized the way products are developed, with design shifting from parts to the whole.

Big shifts coming in powertrains During the rest of this decade, many observers expect transmission controls to undergo more changes than in the past 10-15 years. Transmission controls are being revamped to meet tighter fuel economy laws, letting engines run at optimal speeds. Collaborating for cheaper carbon fiber Oak Ridge National Laboratory and several industry partners work together to overcome the challenges to lower-cost carbon fiber. Creating the 54.5-mpg car Part 2 of AEI's three-part series looks at how vehicle engineers are facing a 'stress test' as the countdown to 2025 CAFE begins. How will the aggressive new regulations influence U.S. passenger cars in the next decade-and what will they cost to implement?

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.

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.

Democratisation of Technology Ian Adcock caught up with Andreas Schamel, Quest for the self-propelled car A team of experts is working to integrate batteries into structural components, in a move that could not only lead to the efficiency and range of vehicles being increased, but ultimately see them powered by their own body structures. Ryan Borroff reports Flexible and intelligent Engine management systems are becoming increasingly complex, in order to cope with a wider range of fuels, as well as tougher legislation. Chris Edwards reports

Biofuel advances The aerospace industry remains committed to getting off the ground with alternatives to jet fuel.

Seeking validation Increased system complexity poses new challenges for software design and ECU system validation, mandating the need for simulation tools that can easily handle the complexity, while providing cost-effective, industry-proven verification tools and processes. Mapping the road to 54.5mpg Part 1 of AEI's three-part series looks at the CAFE challenge and the product-development options being weighed to meet it-while engineers look forward to the critical 2018 mid-term review.

Digital engineering for Tier 4 With the final phase-in of the U.S. EPA Tier 4 emissions standard set to take effect by 2015, off-highway engine developers are accelerating product introductions. Design challenges remain for manufacturers even after the final phase-in while CAE software providers improve technology.

A compact Cadillac to beat the Bimmers General Motors engineers were given a clean sheet to develop the 2013 ATS, Cadillac's all-new compact (and light) sport sedan aimed squarely at the 3 Series benchmark. Re-engineered Ram Thermal management-along with other significant changes-improves Ram 1500 fuel economy and earns EPA off-cycle credits. Honda Accord-the 9th generation The all-new 2013 model brings direct injection, a new CVT, MacPherson struts, safety advances, and a plug-in hybrid version./li> Radios expand by turning to micros Versatile systems use microcontrollers, software to meet wide range of requirements. Heavy on the lightweighting Weight reduction is already a significant consideration in companies' product development efforts, and the emphasis is only going to increase in the years ahead, according to SAE-member survey respondents.

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.

Polymeric engine bearings for stop-start Gaining momentum on passenger vehicles, hybrid and stop-start technologies are expected to find more application in commercial vehicles. Mahle has developed a proprietary lead-free polymer overlay for bearings that's suitable for this aggressive operating environment.

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.

Walking the torque A system that fills in the torque gap of a turbocharged diesel engine, allowing a smaller power unit to punch well above its size, without the dreaded 'lag'-that has to be a winner, surely. So a decade later, why has it yet to come to market? Ian Adcock ponders the reasons Tipping the scales The original Range Rover revolutionised the automotive industry when it was launched. Some 42 years later, the latest version looks very much set to do the same as Ian Adcock reports Can computers take control safely? In the name of improved safety, some favour a future where automation takes charge of a fast-moving vehicle. The more cautious support advanced systems that simply warn drivers of potential problems. Who will win out? Chris Edwards reports

Sealing A/C systems Choosing the right automotive tube joint seal for HFO-1234yf refrigerant compatibility.

A paradigm shift in offline programming of robots CAD-based offline programming has the potential to take into account design changes to a certain extent, avoiding time-consuming and thus expensive reprogramming after an engineering design change.

The big engine that could With the stringent EPA 2015 regulations on large diesel engines for locomotive, marine, and stationary generator applications, the need for NOx reduction via urea SCR catalyst arises given the proven performance of urea SCR. Monitoring hydraulics Component producers and vehicle service providers offer their views of hydraulic diagnostics as the industry moves toward real-time, intelligent health monitoring, predictive failure software algorithms, and wireless notification. Engine management expands from minute movements to full vehicle Electronic controls grow in complexity as engine designers extend their scope to include hydraulics.