dummy car

energy supply - organic photovoltaics

do I still need to add s.th.?!

maybe, I should. organic photovoltaic cells may be used in foils or could be also used as a varnish. it uses colorpigments for power commutation. unfortunately lifespan and degree of efficiency are still low in comparison with usual cells which use silicium. but development is still at its start.
a big advantage of organic photovoltaic cells is the their charecteristic to be elastic a very thin layered. theese kinds of cells filter the infrared spectrum of sunlight. it doesn' t play a role for organic photovoltaic cells in which angle light comes in, thats why it generates electricity also in morning and evening times where common solarpanels do not work.
up to year 2015 scientists believe to increase efficiency to a dgree of 10%. than in combination with accumulators this will be a really handy solution for bigger surfaces. also productionscosts will be much lower than for regular solarpanels today.

one sad point, it won' t be easily possible to combine this solar layer with the OLED-layer as photovoltaic reaction produces heat, which has a destroying effect on some functional materials used in OLEDs.

energy supply - piezoelectronic effect

by vectored pressure working upon a 'piezoactive' material (non conductive material, crystals such as the most well known peizoelectronic material quartz; oscillating crystals; synthestic, anorganic, ferroelectrical and polycrystaline ceramics; a plastic material which can be polarised and then shows a piezoelectric effect is polyvenylidenfluorid (PVDF)) a really low voltage can be achieved.
surely this is no technique for today or soon usage; but might be an interesting option for a horizon two or three scenario. cause vibration of car culd be used as a power ressource.
actually the gain of energy is so poor that piezoelectronic effects are usually used only in the field of electronics, sensortechniques and really small-scale mechanics....
they are also used in the medical sector to nurish technical implants as common batteries use chemics which can have an negative effect on the body.

energy supply - mini ceramic fuel cell

mini fuel cells could soon get an alternative to common batteries. production used to be very expensive because of high complexity of construction. but now a new technique allows a single piece production by use of ceramics. this new oppurtunity makes fuel cells really affordable. possible combustibles could be of course hydrogen or methanol, but there is another fuel which supplies a high degree of energy: formic acid. before the invention of the ceramic fuel cell it wasn't possible to use this powersource, cause the common materials used for fuel cells couldn't resist this acid.
this technique is aready used for micro pressuresensors with integrated electronics or for measurementboards in biochemical analytics.
fuel cell accumolators will have a highly decreased runtime compared with the recently used ones.

First Rendering of a setup

Glume: LED Casted in Translucent Silicone

The Glume system consists of soft and translucent augmented interlocking modules, each embedded with a full spectrum LED, which communicate capacitively to their neighbors to determine a network topology and are responsive to human touch.
http://tangible.media.mit.edu

GloCar Concept - Adjustable LED Light Panel

The Ford GloCar uses LED lights to change body panel colours, intensity and frequency. The driver can either stand out or blend in. It can be seen from all angles, not just headlights and taillights.
www.cardesignnews.com

Scenarios – Oberservation – Fotos

Hi All!
I put some fotos in flickr, some I did myself others I found by research. I couldn´t find fot0s which show situations where the traffic situation is shown in the perspective of the pedestrian. so i will go out once again the weekend to make some more fotos also on the countryside.
See you later,
Chantal

WEATHER CONDITIONS_AREAS TO ADDRESS

WINTER/ICE/SNOW
-ICE ACCUMULATION ON CAR SURFACE
-HIGH REFLECTION OFF OF SNOW
-GLARE
-SLIPPERY CONDITIONS

RAIN
-HIGH REFLECTION OFF OF CHROME SURFACES AND ASPHALT
-RAIN DROPLETS ON WINDSHIELD DECREASES VISIBILITY
-INABILITY TO STOP SHORT
-DIFFICULT FOR PEDESTRIANS TO SEE TRAFFIC FLOWS

SUN/DUSK
-DISABILITY GLARE (SCATTERED LIGHT)
-”SUN BLINDNESS”
-VEILED GLARE
-REFLECTION OFF OF CARS AND HIGH GLOSS PAINT JOBS

FOG
-INTERIOR WINDOW MISTING
-EXTREMELY LOW VISIBILITY (UP TO 1/4 MILE)
-LIKE CLOUDS AT GROUND LEVEL

NIGHT TIME
-GLARE FROM REFLECTIONS
-DISTRACTING LIGHTS FROM OTHER CARS
-NOT ENOUGH LIGHT IN DRIVING ENVIRONMENT

RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS:
-HEADLIGHTS ON AT LOW BEAM
-DRIVE SLOWLY
-LISTEN FOR TRAFFIC IN THE FOG

Morflex Concept - Polymer Emulates Muscles

The Morflex Concept is a design study for a futuristic racing vehicle that uses smart polymer technology that emulate human muscles to change its shape and aerodynamics.
www.carbodydesign.com

ADAPTIVE CAR SKIN: NEW MIND MAP

Hi Kids,

I think we are on the right track, but to clarify the next stage, I made another mind map to get my thoughts together. I welcome all of you to contribute to it...I am thinking of an adaptive system that we will design for the car exterior. We have to talk more about what climates and situations we want to address etc. Talk to you tomorrow!

Smoochies From NYC,

Chelsea

LINKS TO MATERIALS

http://69.93.158.114/academic/MC5.asp?MCNum=592201&table=product


http://69.93.158.114/academic/MC5.asp?MCNum=553501&table=product


http://69.93.158.114/academic/MC5.asp?MCNum=559402&table=product

1958 view on cars and highways

Video on the future vision of cars and highways from 1958.

Illuminated SKIN

Luminous textile, that can be produced in a definite 2D/3D form. These fabrics incorporate self-luminous fibers that do not need a light source. 12 self luminous fiber colors are available that can be individually combined. In a three-dimensional knitting/weaving technique, various surfaces, materials, patterns and bondings can produced in one step without any pre-cutting, similar to the knitting of a sock heel.

Applying LEDS to Car Body...How will we do it?

Light diffusing polymer for light emitting diodes (LEDs). Compared to other light diffusing plastics polycarbonate and acrylic, the nanoscale particles in the sheet increase light diffusion and transmittance. The material accurately reproduces a full range of approximately 16 million colors by mixing red, green, and blue. High light transmittance reduces the number of LEDs required compared to acrylic materials. Processed by vacuum forming, extrusion, and injection, it easy to cut and has high scratch and impact resistance.

Where will BMW GINA be in 10-20 years?

Electroluminescent polymer sheet that offers greater flexibility than existing types. This company has developed a three-dimensional, elastomeric, ‘electroluminescent’ (EL) polymer lamp. Improved flexibility was achieved by utilizing polyurethane. The EL film can be printed directly on fabric and most other substrates. The lamps are flexible, washable, crushable, formable and foldable. Standard phosphor colors of blue, green, blue-green, amber/orange and mixed or blended white.

Update: Next Steps

Hi Everyone,

We will meet for our regular conference call as scheduled on Friday.

However, due to difficulties earlier this week our schedule has been modified.
During our conference call this week, we will refine our problem statement and focus areas as a group.

After that we will move forward with concept sketches that address our problem so that they can be presented to Lyn next Friday (Oct 17th). During our conference call on Oct 17 we can determine the direction our group wants to take based on Lyn's feedback.

Thanks, everyone.

Darlene

account to put the pictures

you know what im talking about?

u. leuny80
p. kisd08

hear you on monday

Summary of Next Steps - Determining a Problem to Solve and Factors to Deal With

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for submitting the summaries of your extensive research and your wonderful concept sketches.

Per our conversation with Lyn today, the next steps are listed below.

This weekend we will each review and think about the following:

1. What problem are we trying to solve?
2. What factors will our solution address? List all the factors including factors related to:

• driver - psychological and physical factors
• pedestrian - psychological and physical factors
• structural considerations - what is there now?
• existing "safety net" - i.e. laws, technology (i.e. headlights) - why are they inadequate in dealing with our problem?
• directions - what is already taking place - i.e. technology that is relevant to our problem/solution

Please add your notes about the above topics to our group mind map.


On Monday at 12 am (Germany)/6 pm (US) we will have a brief Skype conference to finalize the problem we want to solve and the list of factors we will address.

Chelsea will report our results to Lyn on Tuesday.

By Friday we should have 5-10 concepts that we can present to Lyn. These can be new concepts; the concepts we already presented; or a combination of concepts. However, concepts must address the problem and our list of factors. The concepts should also fill a gap (meet a need that's not currently met). [Perhaps we could each do 1 or 2 concepts and Chelsea and I will print them for Lyn to review on Friday. We can discuss how we will deal with the concepts on Monday.]

Thanks again, everyone.

Have a good weekend and keep up the good work.

Darlene

chantal sketches

you can find a pdf of my sketches and description in mindmeister in a node nemed CT related to our groups name signed with heart ;-) (i forgot the password for flickr)

concepts

Hi Guys!

Kristina and I have posted sketches to flickr, please look over all of them before the meeting
so we can discuss a concrete concept direction.

xo

Chelsea

Philips Lumalive - LEd garment

By integrating multicolor LEDs (light-emitting diodes) into textile objects Philips Lumalive transforms them into communication platforms, while their textile look & feel retains.
www.lumalive.com

Flexible, Adaptive and Adjustable GINA

Funny, they always talk about aerodynamics and aesthetics but not about safety...

GINA (Geometry and Functions In “N” Adaptions)
Does a car roof really have to rest on pillars and be bordered by windows?
Do all functions have to be visible at all times, even when they are not needed?
How many personalization options does my car offer?
Are there any possible alternatives to the rigid body shell made of steel or plastic?

GINA has dispensed with the usual body elements found on production vehicles such as front apron, bonnet, side panels, doors, wheel arches, roof, trunk lid and rear deck. The car’s front and sides, including the doors, create one single uninterrupted, seamless whole that converges to form an optical as well as a structural unit.
The moveable metal structure can be moved by means of electro and electro-hydraulic controls and this will also change the shape of the outer skin, allowing for functional transformations.
www.carbodydesign.com
making of with lots of pictures
www.carbodydesign.com

Origami in BMW Coupe Mille Miglia

While working the metal, the interior designers let themselves be inspired by traditional paper folding techniques (Origami).
www.carbodydesign.com

BMW 7 Display Technology

Lots of technology we already posted is shown in this 2:50 min. movie.

Incomplete Streets (US)

25% of walking trips take place on roads without sidewalks or shoulders.
Bike lanes are available for only about 5 % of bicycle trips.

The top two complaints of pedestrians and bicyclists are the lack of sidewalks and bikeways – essentially, incomplete streets.

9% of all tripsare made by foot or bicycle.
More than 13% of all traffic fatalities are bicyclists or pedestrians
52% want to bicycle more, and 55% would prefer to drive less and walk more.

About 33% do not drive, so complete streets are essential for children and elderly people, as well as people who use wheelchairs, have vision impairments, or simply cannot afford a car.

Installing raised medians and redesigning intersections and sidewalks reduces pedestrian risk by 28%.
www.completestreets.org

Shear Thickening Fluid / Liquid Armor / 3DO

Flexible materials gets rigid by impact.
watch the video

invented by The University of Delaware and The U.S. Army Research Laboratory

Reducing Injuries

Although the pedestrian is impacted twice, first by the car and then by the ground, most of the fatal injuries occur due to the interaction with the car.
The vehicle bumper first contacts the lower limbs of the pedestrian, the leading edge of the hood hits the upper thigh or pelvis, and the head and upper torso are struck by the top surface of the hood and/or windshield.

Most pedestrians die due to the traumatic brain injury resulting from the hard impact of the head against the stiff hood or windshield. In addition, although usually non-fatal, injuries to the lower limb (usually to the knee joint and long bones) are the most common cause of disability due to pedestrian crashes.

"Pedestrian safety through vehicle design"
Very interesting, easy to understand and useful wikipedia article.

Bumpers need to deform when they hit a pedestrian’s leg. Protection is improved if the leg is impacted low down, away from the knee, and if the forces are spread over a longer length of leg.

For the leading edge of the bonnet, improvements can result from the removal of un-necessarily stiff structures.

The bonnet top area needs to be able to deflect, to protect the head. It is important that sufficient clearance is provided above the stiff structures beneath, which would stop this deflection.
www.euroncap.com

Frontal Protection System (FPS)

A Frontal Protection System (FPS) is attached to the front of a vehicle like a bull bar but is made of a technical composite of energy absorbing materials. It protects pedestrians and cyclistst that are involved in a front end collision with a vehicle.
www.wikipedia.org

Airwaves City Car - Focus on Pedestrian Safety

A special lift mechanism in Airwaves can provide good protection for the driver, passengers and pedestrians. When the driver uses the emergency brake and the car hits a pedestrian, the cabin will lift up by inertia. At the same time, the outside and inside airbags will be released to protect the pedestrian, driver and passengers.
www.tuvie.com