Archive for February 2014
Automotive Smart Memory Materials
Automotive engineers have been experimenting with shape-memory alloys and polymers that are referred to as “smart materials”. They change their shape, strength or stiffness when heat, stress, a magnetic field or electrical voltage is introduced. A family of materials with an capability to alter a couple of its original properties by the application of any external stimuli, such as anxiety, temperature, moisture, pH, electric and magnetic fields are referred to as smart materials. Smart materials are lifeless materials that assimilate distinct functions such as sensing, actuation, logic and control to adaptively react to alterations in their environment to which they are exposed, in a constructive and mostly recurring way. Thermo-responsive materials such as shape memory alloys or shape memory polymers are smart materials which change their shape with alter in temperature. Read more
Laser Automotive Lighting
The incandescent bulb invented by Thomas Edison in 1879 has shown remarkable longevity in automotive applications. Automotive LED applications had a market leadership position for almost a decade. In the near-future automotive lighting market innovation will soon be pioneered by lasers. The market reign of LEDs is not coming to an end already, but it’s notorious position as a technology leader might soon be threatened. Lasers will become the next generation of automotive lighting technology. Read more
New Delhi Auto Expo 2014 Review
As we publish this, the New Delhi Auto Expo is coming to an end. The biennial event was special in the sense that it was perhaps the first edition ever to be held in the face of a recession – the Indian passenger vehicle market hasn’t had a significant dip in the last 15 years. However, the year 2013 has been a disaster and 2014 hasn’t started off any better with January sales down 9.34% year-on-year. Read more
Vehicle Companion Peripheral Systems
Automotive systems and modules have been used mostly in order to manage automotive complexity. The current trend indicates that the next generation of vehicle systems will be peripheral companion systems, which complement future automotive requirements. Read more