Browse Topic: Environmental protection
As part of the decarbonisation process for passenger car fleet in Austria, battery electric cars in particular have been subsidised in recent years, as these vehicles are considered to be largely emission free during use and are expected to reduce emissions in future. However, in order to sustainably reduce the global greenhouse gas emissions of Austrian passenger car traffic, taking into account all types of fuel systems, it is necessary to apply a cradle-to-grave approach, as is commonly done in comparable analyses in the literature, which evaluates the emissions of the entire vehicle life cycle. The most important phase in the life cycle assessment remains the well-to-wheel phase, which includes emissions from energy supply and vehicle use. Due to the large number of influencing factors, highly simplified models are usually used for this phase in the literature. As part of this work, a methodology was developed that, allows an in-depth analysis of entire vehicle fleets by linking
This paper presents the emissions development of a heavy-duty hydrogen internal-combustion engine (H₂ICE) targeting ultra-low NOx with a design goal of 20 mg/hp-hr. The approach integrates advanced thermal management of the engine and aftertreatment, including engine out NOx management through air-fuel ratio controls and an electric heater to accelerate catalyst light-off and sustain activity at low-load/idle conditions. A diesel-derived aftertreatment system (ATS) is selected to maximize practicality and component commonality, and an integrated controls strategy spanning the engine and ATS is implemented to demonstrate ultra-low NOx capability over EPA certification cycles. The paper concludes with considerations for periodic SCR regeneration to ensure emission compliance.
The rising importance of sustainability in the automotive sector has led to increased interest in circular and environmentally responsible materials, particularly for plastic trims parts, both interior and exterior. This study focuses on developing textile solutions using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) sourced from post-consumer plastic waste, along with bio-based fibres such as bamboo. These materials made into woven and knitted fabrics are studied to suit different vehicle interior applications. r-PET textiles show promising strength, aesthetic appeal, and durability performance. Bamboo fabrics are known for their natural antimicrobial properties and enhanced breathability. Extensive testing is performed to validate explored sustainable materials performance against key automotive requirements. With this study, we gain an understanding of the performance of variedly sourced sustainable raw materials for automotive specific textile applications by different manufacturing
This research paper offers a comprehensive evaluation of lithium-ion battery recycling methods, tracing the entire journey from global demand to the practical challenges and solutions for sustainable battery recycling. It starts with the analysis of worldwide LIB demand growth alongside the exponential growth in volumes of spent batteries and recycling rates. The study focuses on the imbalance in production and recovery of critical battery components and its environmental and economic effects. The paper then systematically examines six major recycling methodologies: mechanical, pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, biotechnological, direct, and ion-exchange recycling. It goes into detail about their advantages, limitations, and roles in maximizing the recovery of valuable metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Traditional techniques like hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical methods, and emerging approaches including bioleaching and ion-exchange, are evaluated for their
This study explores the application of reverse engineering (RE) and digital twin (DT) technology in the design and optimization of advanced powertrain systems. Traditional approaches to powertrain development often rely on legacy designs with limited adaptability to modern efficiency and emission standards. In this work, we present a methodology combining 3D scanning, computational modeling, and machine learning to reconstruct, analyze, and enhance internal combustion engines (ICEs) and electric vehicle (EV) drivetrains. By digitizing physical components through RE, we generate high-fidelity DT models that enable virtual testing, performance prediction, and iterative improvement without costly physical prototyping. Key innovations include a novel mesh refinement technique for scanned geometries and a hybrid simulation framework integrating finite element analysis (FEA) and multi-body dynamics (MBD). Our case study demonstrates a 12% increase in thermal efficiency for a retrofitted ICE
The purpose of this research is to examine the fundamental principles of a circular economy (CE) in relation to the automotive industry in India, which plays a vital role in the country's economy. As a result, energy consumption and environmental impacts also pose significant challenges. CE provide a transformative approach through the life cycle of a vehicle, guiding the automotive industry toward a more sustainable transportation system. In order to decarbonize this industry, the global automotive commission recommends that recycled plastic content in vehicles be increased to 20-25% by 2030. This target necessitates the recovery of plastics from end-of-life vehicles, though these materials are rarely integrated into compounds today. The automotive industry's reliance on plastics has grown substantially due to their lightweight properties, which enhance fuel efficiency, reduce CO₂ emissions, and improve versatility and mechanical performance. polypropylene polymer and several other
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have consolidated their place in the technology market for the energetic transition, with global manufacturing capacity exceeding 1 TWh in recent years and costs falling in this competitive environment. At the same time, the number of end-of-life LIBs is increasing, stimulating the recycling industry to process battery streams, thus promoting the circular economy to meet the increased demand for strategic raw materials and decarbonization. Vehicle electrification is the main driver of battery production, but their end-of-life will take some time to be significant in volume in the next years. Consumer electronics such as smartphones, laptops and power tools are now available at an appropriate volume enabling the preparation of recycling industry for the moment. In this scenario, recyclers are looking for sustainable routes to absorb all these streams and the different LIBs chemistries (LFP, NCA, NMC, LCO, LMO) to recover the critical metals (Ni, Co, Cu, Mn
In response to increasing environmental awareness and the automotive industry's push for sustainability, the development of lightweight and robust components has become a key area of focus. This paper presents a multidisciplinary approach to the design and optimization of an aluminum parking brake lever, leveraging advanced structural optimization techniques to enhance performance while meeting stringent environmental standards. Traditional manufacturing processes for automotive components, such as stamping, often rely on steel due to its strength and ease of processing. However, the high density of steel can significantly impact the overall weight of the vehicle, leading to increased fuel consumption and emissions. In contrast, aluminum’s superior strength-to-weight ratio offers a promising alternative. This study employs Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to model the initial stress history of the lever, followed by the application of structural optimization tools to refine its geometry
Whether it’s the meeting room of an office building, the exhibition room of a museum or the waiting area of a government office, many people gather in such places, and quickly the air becomes thick. This is partly due to the increased humidity. Ventilation systems are commonly used in office and administrative buildings to dehumidify rooms and ensure a comfortable atmosphere. Mechanical dehumidification works reliably, but it costs energy and — depending on the electricity used — has a negative climate impact.
The path toward carbon-neutral mobility represents one of the greatest cultural transformations in recent human history. Positioned between industrial heritage, emerging mobility technologies, and the energy supply sector are the users of 1.5 billion motor vehicles worldwide. Conflicting publications on raw material availability, energy efficiency, and the climate neutrality of propulsion systems have led to widespread uncertainty. This Illustrated Energy Primer provides a new foundation for orientation. It begins with a visual explanation of the basic concepts of energy and power, followed by illustrative comparisons of typical energy demands in vehicles and households. The focus then shifts to common types of energy generation systems. Using regional examples—from coal-fired power plants to wind farms, solar installations, and balcony solar panels—the guide provides clear and accessible performance benchmarks for energy production. Next, nine individual experience profiles highlight
Letter from the Guest Editors
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