In order to understand how to bring out the most power from a car’s engine, we needed to learn how an engine works. The main focus of this research was to tune the engine and create a fuel map that would allow it to run at its optimum level. We used the Win Tec-GT computer software to test the performance of a 2002 Yamaha YZFR6 engine that the Rutgers 2008 Racing Team uses in their car. To easi...

Governments and private investors are becoming aware of the problems derived from the energy dependency on fossil fuels and other non-renewable energies. In this context, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), which use hydrogen as fuel, are gaining increasing attention as clean and efficient energy conversion devices for a broad range of applications, such as automotive, stationary combi...

Fossil fuel has been the primary source of fuel ever since it was discovered and comes in the form of coal, petroleum and natural gas. Discovery of fossil fuel dates back to prehistoric time where caveman discovered how to burn coal for heat source. Coal which is also part of fossil fuel and is developed over millions of years can even extend up to 650 million years. With excessive usage of fos...

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology (PEMFC) is highly suited to automotive applications since it can offer efficient energy conversion in a compact and robust package. Size and reliability are related to the simplicity of the system, which in turn is influenced by the choice of stack cooling strategy. Intelligent Energy is targeting automotive applications using evaporatively cooled s...

Today’s interest in magnesium alloys for automotive applications is based on the combination of high strength properties and low density. For this reason magnesium alloys are very attractive as structural materials in all applications where weight savings are of great concern. In automotive applications weight reduction will improve the performance of a vehicle by reducing the rolling resistanc...

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is currently conducting a long-term project to promote the development of grid-connected, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) for the commercial automotive market. This collaborative effort with partners in electric utilities, the automotive industry and government includes subtasks of specification development, prototype vehicle design and cons...

A 5-kW multilevel modular capacitor-clamped dc–dc converter (MMCCC) with bi-directional power management and real-time fault bypassing capability will be presented in this study. The modular structure of the MMCCC topology was utilised to build this 5-kW converter with necessary redundancy and hot swap feature for industrial and automotive applications including a future plug-in hybrid or fuel-...

Automotive emission is becoming a critical threat to today’s human health. Many researchers are studying engine designs leading to less fuel consumption. Gearbox selection plays a key role in an engine design. In this study, Taguchi quality engineering method is employed, and optimum gear ratios in a five speed gear box is obtained. A table of various gear ratios is suggested by design o...

Casting production has environmental implications that extend beyond the foundry’s premises. By taking a life-cycle approach the impacts upstream (supply side) and downstream (customer/user side) can be identified. The benefits of a foundry’s actions to reduce an environmental impact might be leveraged to reduce impacts at other stages in the life-cycle. However, as a minor player in the supply...

Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are being developed for both automotive (motive and/or auxiliary) and stationary (residential) power applications. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) also are being pursued for a number of power generation applications, including stationary (residential and utility), and automotive (auxiliary) power sources. For both of these types of fuel cells, the use of...