Automotive

Video: The evolution of touchscreen displays in cars

By Lisa McDonald / January 13, 2021

Touchscreen displays are an increasingly standard feature in new car models and, like smartphone screens, they grow larger each year—Mercedes-Benz plans to feature a 56-inch touchscreen display in an upcoming luxury electric sedan. But do touchscreens really help drivers—or lead to distracted driving?

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Pursuing a cobalt-free future: Nickel-manganese-aluminum cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

By Lisa McDonald / July 17, 2020

Many electric vehicles today use lithium-ion batteries that contain cobalt, an element with high ethical and environmental costs to its production. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin explored the potential of a cobalt-free lithium-ion battery that features a nickel-manganese-aluminum cathode and found promising results.

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Graphene may be the key material to smooth out carbon fiber’s high price

By April Gocha / June 12, 2020

A team of researchers found adding a small amount of graphene can improve the structural alignment of spun carbon fibers, reinforcing their strength—and providing the potential to produce much more inexpensive carbon fiber materials.

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Transparent ceramic materials may make self-driving vehicles faster and safer

By Lisa McDonald / April 21, 2020

For self-driving vehicles to become a common reality, the laser surveying system LiDAR must be improved. Researchers from Alfred University developed a transparent ceramic that could prove to be an ideal lasing material for LiDAR.

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An ultimate goal of research: Making better products by improving what you have

By Jonathon Foreman / April 17, 2020

It is one thing to develop a new material or process—but improving existing materials and processes is also important in making better products. Two papers in the May-June issue of International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology focus on improving effectivity of existing processes.

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Hidden ceramics that impact the world, plus more inside April 2020 ACerS Bulletin

By Lisa McDonald / March 19, 2020

The April 2020 issue of the ACerS Bulletin—featuring catalytic substrates and filters and silicon nitride implants—is now available online. Plus—second issue of C&GM

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Video: You “wood” not believe what this car is made from

By Lisa McDonald / November 13, 2019

Carbon fiber composites face challenges hindering their widespread use in vehicles. Researchers from 22 organizations in Japan are collaborating to investigate if cellulose nanofibers are a viable alternative.

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Video: Launch into testing—Lamborghini sends carbon fiber samples to International Space Station

By Lisa McDonald / November 6, 2019

On November 2, Lamborghini sent carbon fiber composite samples to the International Space Station to test the effects of extreme space conditions on composite materials. The project is part of a collaboration with the Houston Methodist Research Institute to research biocompatibility of composite materials.

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Video: Are vehicle escape tools lifesavers? Depends on the glass

By Lisa McDonald / July 24, 2019

Knowing the type of glass in your car side windows could save you in an emergency. A new study by AAA found that out of six vehicle escape tools, only four could shatter tempered glass and none could break laminated glass, which stayed intact even after being cracked.

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Video: Formula E—racing goes electric

By Lisa McDonald / June 12, 2019

Now in its fifth season, the electric race car competition Formula E continues to gain fans and sponsors—as well as a brand-new car. Take a look at the increasingly popular competition that could one day give Formula 1 a run for its money.

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