A diode is a semiconductor device that allows current to flow in one direction serving as a one-way current switch. Diodes, also called rectifiers, convert alternating current (AC) into pulsating direct current (DC). They are categorized by type, voltage, and current capacity. With polarity determined by an anode (positive) and cathode (negative), diodes typically conduct…
A fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy, water, and heat through electrochemical reactions. It consists of an anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte, which is typically a porous membrane. Hydrogen, and air (or oxygen) are fed into the cell. At the anode, the fuel undergoes a…
Similar to all-electric vehicles (EVs) a Hydrogen Car/Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), utilizes electricity to drive an electric motor. However, unlike other EVs, FCEVs generate electricity using a hydrogen-powered fuel cell instead of relying on a battery for power. While FCEVs could be designed with plug-in capabilities similar to PHEVs to charge the battery. Most…
In thermodynamics, Gibbs free energy (often referred to simply as Gibbs energy, symbolized as G) is a thermodynamic potential that quantifies the maximum non-pressure-volume work achievable by a thermodynamically isolated system at constant temperature and pressure. It also serves as a criterion for processes, including chemical reactions, that can occur under these conditions. What is…
Solar energy refers to any form of energy produced by the sun. It is generated through the process of nuclear fusion that occurs within the sun. Solar radiation, also called electromagnetic radiation, is the light emitted by the sun due to nuclear fusion. Although every location on Earth receives sunlight throughout the year. The intensity…
Welcome to “Car Assembly Process 101,” where we delve into the fascinating world of how cars are built, piece by piece, into the marvels of engineering we see on the roads today. The car assembly process is a complex process that relies on a reliable supply chain to ensure uninterrupted production. This process involves the…
Automotive design is a creative process that defines the physical appearance of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Automotive designers are responsible for styling a vehicle’s interior and exterior. You might love or hate the design of a car, but there is no doubt that car design plays a big role in the development of…
Car wind noise can be heard inside of your vehicle while driving on the highway and is the audible result of high-pressure air attempting to escape as you accelerate. This whooshing sound, high-pitched, enters through the smallest gaps or openings in the vehicle’s exterior. In automotive design, as with other design fields, variations and uncertainties…
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has undoubtedly matured into a vital tool in both industrial applications and academic research. Initially, this field—commonly known by its acronym CFD—was primarily associated with high-tech engineering sectors like aeronautics and astronautics. However, it has swiftly evolved into a widely adopted methodology for tackling complex challenges in modern engineering practice. Originating…
A planetary gear system also known as an Epicyclic gearing or planetary gearing. It consists of spur gears arranged in an epicyclic configuration. In this setup, a central gear, known as the sun gear, acts as the input and drives the system. Multiple “driven” gears, or planets, orbiting the sun gear within a gearbox. These planets mesh…