DLR German Aerospace Center
DLR German Aerospace Center
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DLR is Germany's national research center for aeronautics and space with about 5100 employees. DLR's business fields are space, aeronautics, energy and traffic. In 2001 the Institute of Vehicle Concepts (IFK) has been founded in the DLR research center Stuttgart. The IFK handles and coordinates all research subjects related to traffic and transportation at the DLR location in Stuttgart. The institute is headed by professor Horst E. Friedrich. The activities at the institute contribute to the sustainable development of technological systems for future generations of road and railway vehicles. The main subjects covered at the IFK are: (1) alternative power trains and energy conversion, (2) fuel and energy storages, (3) lightweight and hybrid assembly methods and (4) innovative technological systems and technology evaluation. Since its establishment the IFK develops intensively in the research field of "Alternative Power Trains" in the frame of industrial cooperation projects on alternative drive trains (e.g. project HYLITE), on energy supplies for small industrial vehicles (e.g. project FTS / VFF) with two different fuel cell system concepts and in the area of advanced hydride storages. All those projects represent the institute's activities successfully in the public and in industry. The development of fuel cell operated small vehicles within the power range up to a few kilowatts has tradition in the IFK from the beginning on and is a separate development focus. The basis of these developments is a modularized concept of a simple low pressure PEFC system for hydrogen / air operation. Up to now various different vehicle demonstrators have been equipped and successfully operated with different development stages of this PEFC system concept. The use of industrially manufactured hydride storages is already standard with these systems. Therefore, the necessary accessory systems such as quick-coupler systems and simple refuelling devices were developed and realized together with industrial partners.
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2011
30 May 2011
Goodbye 100 mile range electric vehicles
150 miles range is the new benchmark for affordable electric vehicles: the 100 miles range of today's pure electric vehicles will quickly become an embarrassment.18 May 2011
Antarctica's ice puts electric vehicles to test
The punishment your car endures on a cold winter commute pales in comparison to the veritable torture that researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are inflicting on two electric utility research vehicles — all in the name of science.11 May 2011
Next generation motoring with Hyundai's Blue Drive range
Hyundai's Blue Drive range is the company's spring board into next generation motoring. In addition to improving fuel consumption and reducing emissions in conventional combustion engine powered cars, the company is also experimenting with new technologies including alternative drive-trains and hydrogen fuel cells.25 Apr 2011
Global benchmarking for e-mobility at last
Best practice in e-mobility first occurs in very different countries and with very different vehicles. The most useful events on the subject therefore need an international speaker lineup. Indeed, they must cover much more than on-road vehicles and the rather narrow electromobility programs of governments that tend to focus on cars, with some effort on other on-road vehicles and little else.22 Apr 2011
More on 2nd vs 3rd Generation Range Extenders
There is no doubt that hybrid electric vehicles by land sea and air are transitioning from having small traction batteries and near useless all electric range of about 15 miles to something nearer to market needs. In prospect is all-electric plug-in range as good or better than today's affordable pure electric land, sea and air vehicles at 100 miles or so (162 km) and use of on-board range extenders that give a total plug-in powered plus on-board energy range that even exceeds that of most of today's conventional vehicles.20 Apr 2011
Electric Vehicles for Military, Security and Police - Land, Water, Air
This article shares some of the research carried out for the new IDTechEx report, "Electric Vehicles, Military, Security, Police 2011-2021".18 Apr 2011
Range extenders for hybrid vehicles -2nd vs. 3rd generation
We are in the decade of the hybrid electric vehicle despite the fact that most off road and underwater vehicles are pure electric.18 Apr 2011
Case Western fuel cell breakthrough
Leaders in practicable fuel cells in electric vehicles by land sea and air include Intelligent Energy of the UK while DLR German Aerospace Center, EADS in Germany and France, ENFICA-FC in Italy, Mercedes in Germany and others are extending fuel cell use to manned aircraft, airport Ground Support Equipment GSE, mainstream cars and more.13 Apr 2011
Delta Airlines electrifies
Delta Airlines has been working to electrify ground support equipment and airliners. In September 2010, it was announced that the Massachusetts Port Authority had approved a loan agreement that would lend Delta Air Lines the capital needed to purchase electric equipment for use at Terminal A at Boston Logan International Airport.12 Apr 2011
Boston Logan Airport Electrifies
Chicago International Airport switched to largely pure electric ground support equipment six years ago, preempting environmental regulations requiring airports to clean up their act. Now Boston Logan is taking an altogether more comprehensive view including powering its electric vehicles from photovoltaics on its buildings and introducing experimental new designs of electric vehicle from the other side of the world.5 Apr 2011
Shining a light on research
Monash University is involved in two promising areas of science research that could deliver low cost, no-emission alternatives for our future fuel and energy needs.29 Mar 2011
Electric Aircraft Elektra One performs first internal flight
The Electric Aircraft Elektra One, developed by Calin Gologan, performed its first internal flight on Saturday, 19 March 2011 at the Augsburg Airport in Germany.16 Mar 2011
DLR develops an electric nose wheel for commercial aircraft
Aircraft will soon be able to save fuel while significantly reducing airport noise thanks to a fuel cell-powered electric nose wheel. After three years of development at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), the system is now ready for preliminary testing with the DLR A320 ATRA (Advanced Testing and Research Aircraft), a modified Airbus A320.18 Feb 2011
In-wheel electric motors gain market share
In-wheel motors were popular in cars over 100 years ago because they did not intrude into passenger space. An example is shown below. However, they were expensive and they adversely affected the ride and steering. One motor seizing could sometimes lock a wheel.17 Feb 2011
Electric Aircraft Academy
Leisure aviation, special missions and the future commercial applications17 Feb 2011
La Poste receive first electric delivery vans
In 2008 a number of EV manufacturers turned their attention to France where a contract was offered for the production of 500 electric vans for the national postal service La Poste. One of the forerunners competing for the contract was PSA Peugeot Citroen with their pure electric vans based on the Peugeot Partner Origin and Citroën Berlingo First.7 Feb 2011
Californian ports test hydrogen fuel-cell hybrid-electric trucks
The testing of two hybrid fuel-cell powered trucks will begin this spring in the Californian ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, running for 18 months. The trucks will be tested to evaluate their suitability for short and medium distance cargo-hauling operations, and other similar applications.19 Jan 2011
Energy efficient aircraft - the next 15 years
During the next fifteen years, we shall be in the transition to much more energy efficient, quieter aircraft, with much less pollution and dependence on declining hydrocarbon reserves.7 Jan 2011
Printed Electronics for EVs - The money floods in
Printed electronics is now seeing a surge in transactions in the form of orders, government and industry-funded development programs, acquisitions and company fund raising.2010
31 Dec 2010
Solar powered unmanned aircraft awarded three world records
Tracking pirates in the Gulf of Aden, detecting bush fires in Australia and improving battlefield communications and surveillance in Afghanistan are all potential uses for the solar powered unmanned aircraft, Zephyr, which has now officially been awarded three World Records.