Thermo-mechanical challenges in the longevity of micro-electronics

Automotive electronics, solid-state-lighting, and solar cells need have to operate under harsh circumstances, either by the kind of environment they operate in, such as automotive electronics under the hood, or by the long durations of exposure. In both cases traditional lifetime assessment methods are failing: The accelaration factors, who are...

Ultra low emission vehicle development: A study on the drivers for car firms and the implications for sustainable development policy

This paper studies the factors that lead automotive manufacturing firms to invest in Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs). ULEVs are vehicles that emit extremely low levels of harmful gases compared to other vehicles. In contrast to studies that examine aggregated patterns on the market (such as sales levels, new launches and issued patents),...

Development and validation of a modular simulation model for commercial vehicles

In this paper a modular truck semi-trailer model is developed in the multi-body toolbox SimMechanics, which is part of MATLAB/Simulink. It can be used to analyse a wide range of active control solutions (anywhere in the model), as well as the influence of passive vehicle modifications. As the model is modular, it is relatively easy (compared to...

Towards Integrated Powertrain Control: Exploiting synergy between a diesel hybrid and aftertreatment system in a distribution truck

With the increasing demands on driveability, fuel efficiency and emissions, it becomes essential to optimize the overall performance of future powertrains. Therefore, a system approach is required. In this study, the Integrated Powertrain Control concept is presented, which exploits the synergy between engine, driveline and aftertreatment system...

Brake wear from vehicles as an important source of diffuse copper pollution

In this article we show that brake wear from road traffic vehicles is an important source of atmospheric (participate) copper concentrations in Europe. Consequently, brake wear also contributes significantly to deposition fluxes of copper to surface waters. We estimated the copper emission due to brake wear to be 2.4 kiloton per year. For...