Development of Highly Functional Painting Technology helping to Eliminate Middle Coating Process by HONDA
Honda Motor has developed the “Honda Smart Ecological Paint (Honda S.E. Paint)” process a painting technology which would eliminate a middle coating process from conventionally used 4-coat/3-bake auto body painting process, resulting in a 3-coat/2-bake water-based painting process. Eliminating the middle coating process would normally limit the paint colors which can be used, but Honda has solved this problem by developing a new material for color base coat in the final coating process, making it possible to use any exterior paint color, industry’s first for a 3-coat/2-bake process. Read more
World’s First Li-ion Battery Monitoring Chip Set capable monitoring up to 16 Cells
Toshiba has announced the development of battery monitoring chipset for automotive applications capable of monitoring up to 16 cells per 1 IC, industry’ first. This capability would help to reduce the number of components while providing a simple and low cost battery monitoring systems. The new chip set which combines battery monitoring IC and microcontroller is capable of detecting the remaining charge level where it will balance it among cells (cell balancing) in addition to detecting faulty battery status. Read more
Development of Novel material contributing to Environmental Purification using Natural Energy
Showa Titanium Co., Ltd., subsidiary of Showa Denko (SDK) has announced the development of titanium oxide fine particles for use in UV-light-responsive photo catalyst with high level of activity. When exposed to UV light titanium oxides causes strong oxidation /reduction reaction helping to decompose stains from organic substances. It also exhibits ultra hydrophilicity causing water to spread as a thin film, making the titanium oxide based photo catalyst an ideal product for environmental purification using only natural energy in such applications as antifogging window glass and antifouling coating for external walls. Read more
Development of Air-Conditioning System with revolutionary Cold Storage Evaporator
One of the major issue with vehicle’s air-conditioning system is that when the engine and air-conditioning system are off during idle stop, the cabin temperature will increase, one of the contributing factor for this short coming is that the cold storage (CS) evaporator system of the vehicle’s air-conditioning system is not equipped with cold insulator which is located in the heat exchange area. Evaporator is a component driven by engine power; the way it works is that the cold refrigerant exchanges heat with warm air to send cooled or dehumidified air to the vehicle’s cabin. In the conventional air-conditioning systems, when the engine stops during an idle-stop mode, the air-conditioning cycle also stops and as a result will rise the cabin temperature, and forces the occupant keep the engine ON to continue the air-conditioning cycle wasting plenty of fuel as a result. Read more
Development of Artificial Photosynthesis System using wasted CO2 from Industrial Plants
Panasonic has demonstrated a highly efficient (0.2%) artificial photosynthesis system capable of generating organic materials from wasted carbon dioxide and water generated from incinerators, power plants or other industrial processing plants. The system uses simple structure by applying a nitride semiconductor as a photo-electrode as well as metal catalyst generating mainly formic acid from CO2 and water with light, making it a real advantage in scalability for commercial system in the near future. Read more
Development of High Accuracy MEMS Sensors for Reducing Fuel Consumption
Murata has announced the development of MEMS sensors helping to reduce automobile fuel consumption. One of the new developed sensors is a high accuracy MEMS inclinometer providing a robust ways of measuring vehicle inclination in a various environmental conditions. The internal mechanical gas damping of Murata’s MEMS sensors prevents them from picking up external signals that can cause errors in inclination measurement. Read more
Development of a Novel Air Purification Technology Helping to Create Healthy Environment for Pet Owners and Pets
Panasonic has developed an air purification technology that uses nano-size electrostatic atomized water particles to keep your pets away from those nasty allergic reactions, yes, your pets. The electrostatic atomized water particles are formed by applying high voltage to water helping to keep your dog’s skin and hair healthy. Japan is going through a pet boom, where 72% of pet owners keep their pets indoors. Like humans, pets are susceptible to allergic effects caused by house dust and other allergens, where skin disease, including allergic and atopic dermatitis, is the most common disease in dogs, making up of about 40% of all cases. Read more
Development of Revolutionary Ball Bearing Design Helping to Reduce Rotational Torque by 80% in Automotive Transmission System
NTN has announced the development of “Self-formed Seal Torque Deep Groove Ball Bearing “ for automotive transmission, capable of reducing rotational torque by up to 80% through self-forming minute gaps, helping to reduce fuel consumption while reducing CO2 emissions. The new ball bearing features a newly developed seal that self-forms minute gaps between the inner ring and seal. The end of the seal which comes in contact with the inner ring is of non-contact type seal which cannot be manufactured using machining or molding processes, as these seals form minute gaps at the initial stages of bearing operation. Read more
World’s First In-Wheel Motor System for Compact EVs by NTN
NTN known for its superior Bearing technology has announced the development of a prototype compact 2-seater Electric Vehicle (EV) equipped with In-Wheel Motor System, first of its kind in the world. NTN applied it know how acquired from R&D in bearing. The in-wheel motor system features a motor mounted directly into the wheel, allowing more effective use of free space and greater design flexibility for vehicles. Read more
World’s First Extraction Process for Retrieving Rare Earth Metals from Automobile Parts
In a joint announcement by Honda Motor and Japan Metal & Chemicals, the two companies have developed an extraction method for retrieving rare earth metals from various used parts in Honda products. This will be done in mass production at a recycling plant. The newly developed process enables the extraction of more than 80% of rare metals contained in used nickel-metal hybrid batteries. Read more
