International Journal of Automotive Technology 

About: International Journal of Automotive Technology is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Engineering & Computer science. It has an ISSN identifier of 1229-9138. Over the lifetime, 2305 publications have been published receiving 24974 citations. The journal is also known as: IJAT (Online) & IJAT (Print).

Exhaust nanoparticle emissions from internal combustion engines: A review

Abstract: This paper reviews the particle emissions formed during the combustion process in spark ignition and diesel engine. Proposed legislation in Europe and California will impose a particle number requirement for GDI (gasoline direct injection) vehicles and will introduce the Euro 6 and LEV-III emission standards. More careful optimization for reducing particulate emission on engine hardware, fuel system, and control strategy to reduce particulate emissions will be required during cold start and warm-up phases. Because The diesel combustion inherently produces significant amounts of PM as a result of incomplete combustion around individual fuel droplets in the combustion zone, much attention has been paid to reducing particle emissions through electronic engine control, high pressure injection systems, combustion chamber design, and exhaust after-treatment technologies. In this paper, recent research and development trends to reduce the particle emissions from internal combustion engines are summarized, with a focus on PMP activity in EU, CARB and SAE papers and including both state-of-the-art light-duty vehicles and heavy-duty engines.

High speed tensile test of steel sheets for the stress-strain curve at the intermediate strain rate

Abstract: This paper presents stress-strain curves of steel sheets for an auto-body obtained at intermediate strain rates with a servo-hydraulic type high speed tensile testing machine. The apparatus has the maximum stroke velocity of 7.8 m/sec to obtain the tensile material properties at a strain rate of up to 500/sec. A special jig fixture is specially designed for accurate acquisition of tensile loads with reduction of the load-ringing phenomenon induced by unstable stress wave propagation at high strain rates. Tensile testing of steel sheets for an auto-body was carried out to obtain stress-strain curves of mild steel and advanced high strength steels at strain rates ranged from 1/sec to 200/sec. The test results provide interesting information regarding the stress-strain curves at intermediate strain rates ranged from 1/sec to 200/sec and demonstrate that strain rate hardening is strongly coupled with strain hardening.

Thermal design of automobile exhaust based thermoelectric generators : objectives and challenges

Abstract: The potential for thermoelectric power generation (via waste heat recovery onboard automobiles) to displace alternators and/or provide additional charging to a vehicle battery pack has increased with recent advances in thermoelectric material processing. In gasoline fueled vehicles (GFVs), about 40% of fuel energy is wasted in exhaust heat, while a smaller amount of energy (30%) is ejected through the engine coolant. Therefore, exhaust-based thermoelectric generators (ETEG) have been a focus for GFV applications since the late 1980s. The conversion efficiency of modern thermoelectric materials has increased more than three-fold in the last two decades; however, disputes as to the thermal design of ETEG systems has kept their overall efficiency at limited and insufficient values. There are many challenges in the thermal design of ETEG systems, such as increasing the efficiency of the heat exchangers (hot box and cold plate), maintaining a sufficient temperature difference across the thermoelectric modules during different operating conditions, and reducing thermal losses through the system as a whole. This paper focuses on a review of the main aspects of thermal design of ETEG systems through various investigations performed over the past twenty years. This paper is organized as follows: first, the construction of a typical ETEG is described. The heat balance and efficiency of ETEG are then discussed. Then, the third section of this paper emphasizes the main objectives and challenges for designing efficient ETEG systems. Finally, a review of ETEG research activities over the last twenty years is presented to focus on methods used by the research community to address such challenges.

PSO algorithm-based parameter optimization for HEV powertrain and its control strategy

Abstract: The coordination between the powertrain and control strategy has significant impacts on the operating performance of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). A comprehensive methodology based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is presented in this paper to achieve parameter optimization for both the powertrain and the control strategy, with the aim of reducing fuel consumption, exhaust emissions, and manufacturing costs of the HEV. The original multi-objective optimization problem is converted into a single-objective problem with a goal-attainment method, and the principal parameters of powertrain and control strategy are set as the optimized variables by PSO, with the dynamic performance index of HEVs being defined as the constraint condition. Computer simulations were carried out, which showed that the PSO scheme gives preferable results in comparison to the ADVISOR method. Therefore, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of HEVs can be effectively reduced without sacrificing dynamic performance of HEVs.

In-vehicle technology for self-driving cars: Advantages and challenges for aging drivers

Abstract: The development of self-driving cars or autonomous vehicles has progressed at an unanticipated pace. Ironically, the driver or the driver-vehicle interaction is a largely neglected factor in the development of enabling technologies for autonomous vehicles. Therefore, this paper discusses the advantages and challenges faced by aging drivers with reference to in-vehicle technology for self-driving cars, on the basis of findings of recent studies. We summarize age-related characteristics of sensory, motor, and cognitive functions on the basis of extensive age-related research, which can provide a familiar to better aging drivers. Furthermore, we discuss some key aspects that need to be considered, such as familar to learnability, acceptance, and net effectiveness of new in-vehicle technology, as addressed in relevant studies. In addition, we present research-based examples on aging drivers and advanced technology, including a holistic approach that is being developed by MIT AgeLab, advanced navigation systems, and health monitoring systems. This paper anticipates many questions that may arise owing to the interaction of autonomous technologies with an older driver population. We expect the results of our study to be a foundation for further developments toward the consideration of needs of aging drivers while designing self-driving vehicles.