Topic: The Evolution of

the Automobile
Name: Mohamad Qulam Zaki Bin Mohamad Rasidi
Students ID: CES140822150
Course Code: SPH4U
Physics Gr 12 Independent Study Unit (ISU)
Teachers name: Mr Robert Hume

List of Articles
First article : The Car: Today and Tomorrow The Evolution in the Automobile Safety
Second article: The Car: Today and Tomorrow The Evolution in the Automobile Extras
Third article : The Car: Today and Tomorrow The Evolution in the Automobile Motion
Fourth article : The Car: Today and Tomorrow The Evolution in the Automobile Source of
Power
Fifth article : The Car: Today and Tomorrow The Evolution in the Automobile Materials

First article

The Car: Today and Tomorrow The

Evolution in the Automobile Safety

TORONTO STAR | MONDAY, March 16 2015

Special Edition

The Car: Today and Tomorrow The Evolution in

the Automobile Safety
Since the first automobile models and design was invented in the 15th century by Leonardo da
Vinci, the car safety is continually improving due to constant world technological advances.
Written by Mohamad Qulam Zaki Bin Mohamad Rasidi, the Freelance Science Writer

T he automobile safety has become most preferences aspect of vehicle for most people when they want to buy a
new one. It is important to choose a safer vehicle in order to secure more protection during the ride. Many of the serious
car crashed can be prevented if more safe system and model vehicles are chosen by the buyer. For this issue, I am focussing
my research on current and future technologies in making the more safe automobile.
The crash test is one of the method used in order to make a safe automobile. A crash test is a form of destructive
testing that normally used to ensure the automobile produced have a safe design standard in crashworthiness and crash
compatibility for any modes of transportation and related components or systems.

There are many types of crash

test performed such as frontal-impact tests, moderate overlap tests, small overlap tests, side-impacts tests, roll-over tests
and others. In a current time, engineers often run most of crash test as the simulated test which they are using computer
models to refine automobile design before conducting the real tests on vehicles. The crash test dummies are usually used
to represent man that drive the vehicles. The real impact and momentum that produced based on their speed and
acceleration can be calculated precisely by using a computer programme. In the future, many crash test programme will
be done in order to decrease the serious injuries during the car accidents. Such programme in the future will provide
consumers with vehicle safety information based on the most precise data. The example of crush test programme that had
been started are Australasian New Car Assessment Program and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Therefore,
the crash tests of vehicle are needed to give drivers and passengers high confidence to ride their automobiles.
Seat belt is an automobile device that had been designed to make the occupant more safe and prevent any harmful
movement that may be result during the car crash by reducing the secondary impacts forces by keeping the occupant stay
in a correct orientation to maximise any safety equipment such as airbag. It also will prevent the occupant from being
ejected out of automobile if any car crash happen. If the automobile suddenly stop during the constant speed when moving
on the road, the passengers and driver will continue to move at the same speed, and this is known as inertia. The seat belt
will apply the opposite forces during this moment in order to prevent them from any bad injuries.
In a current time, the seat belts (Figure 1) used in regular automobile are used manual lap belt with automatic and
non-automatic motorized shoulder belt system and automatic shoulder and lap belts system. In the first two system, the
lap belt need to be fastened manually and vice versa for the last one. However, in the future, in order to lessen the inertia
impact on the occupants, the inflatable seat belt may be used. Based on one of the automobile producer, Mercedez-Benz
Company, the automobile that equipped with inflatable seat belt or also known as BeltBag system will have an airbag
embedded between the normal seat belt fabric layer. In this system, not only the inertia can be prevented from harming
the occupants, but also extras safety materials that will slower the time impact of the bodies are provided. Therefore, more
special innovation are needed to transform a normal system in our automobile into the most efficient mechanism in the
future.
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TORONTO STAR | MONDAY, March 16 2015

Figure 1: The use of modern seat belt in an automobile

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com

Special Edition

Figure 2: The use of radar by police to detect the automobile speed

and reduce the car crash
Source: http://hyperphysics

Safety sensor in the automobile are the special technology that had been developed in order to increase the safety
and security of drivers and passengers that used sound, vibration or waves. The example of safety sensor are blind spots
sensor, speed sensor and many more. The blind spots sensor is used to identify any object that cannot be seen by driver.
Meanwhile the speed sensor is used to detect the speed of other object such as the motorcycle behind the owner
automobile.
In a current time, the blind spot sensor are the special convex mirror in the corner of the owner external rear view
mirror. This type of sensor also known as passive blind spot monitoring sensor or traditional sensor. The physics apply in
this system is the reflection of light which the images of any objects that located at the blind spots will be reflected by the
mirror. Therefore, automobile drivers can easily see the object. In the future, there are many real sensor that had been
developed and researched now. For example, the sensor system that use kind of electronic detection devices that transmit
electronic electromagnetic waves. The physics concept that had been applied here is the transmission of electromagnetic
waves from any medium. The radar wavelength will detect the signals and interpret them for further action by drivers.
The safety sensor had been used by most of automobile producer such as Volvo. Volvo had launched their first blinds
spot sensor.
The safety of automobile is also related to the technology that had been used by enforcement such as a radar speed
gun. Radar speed gun (Figure 2) that used by police is a device used in order to measure the speed of any moving objects
such as cars and motorcycles. In radar that used by police, there are some basic physics concept that making them to
function properly. A combination of a radio transmitter and receiver as one unit are most basic things that operate in this
device. An electrical current is oscillating by radio transmitter and making the voltage to move at specific frequencies.
The electromagnetic energy will generate and convert into the electromagnetic wave that can travel through the air. The
amplifier will increase the electromagnetic energy intensity that will detect by radio receiver. Radio receiver will interpret
the information and give the correct speed of any objects.
In a current time, the radar can detect and analyse how far away the objects by emitting a concentrated radio wave
and analyse the echo produced. If the wave are blocked by other objects, the electromagnetic energy will bounce back to
the radar. As the wave move in a speed of light, the time taken for the signal wave to reach back the radar is collected and
the calculation made by the device is very precise. In the future, the used of radar is to reduce bad car crash by detecting
over speed automobile on the road. The Doppler shift phenomenon are used which comparing the frequency of radio
waves between the object such as car and the radar. In Physics, number of oscillations in one time is a frequency.
Therefore, the used of electromagnetic wave and their frequency can be manipulated in order to reduce the rate of
automobile crash by the enforcement.
In a conclusion, the safety technology in the automotive industry are kept advancing from day to day. As we can
see from our current time, and look forward into the future, there are many research and improvement that expected to be
done. Therefore, the most safety features automobile can be built in the future one day
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TORONTO STAR | MONDAY, March 16 2015

Special Edition

References:
1. Brett, B. (2013, May 16). Car Safety Evolved For the Better, Despite Some Terrible Ideas. Retrieved March 16,
2015, from http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a4449/the-road-ahead-road-evolution-of-safety/
2. Car safety timeline. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2015, from http://www.driverstechnology.co.uk/car-safetytimeline.htm
3. CSERE, C. (2012, December 1). Crash Course: How Current Impact Tests Make Cars Safer - Tech Dept.
Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.caranddriver.com/features/crash-course-how-current-impact-testsmake-cars-safer-feature
4. Evolution of Car Glass Technology Safelite AutoGlass. (2014, December 10). Retrieved March 16, 2015,
from http://www.safelite.com/resource-center/car-safety/evolution-of-car-glass/
5. Evolution of car safety. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2015, from http://www.allianz.com.au/carinsurance/news/evolution-of-car-safety
6. History of Car Safety. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2015, from http://www.crashtest.org/history-car-safety
7. Intelligent Seatbelts. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.nissanglobal.com/EN/TECHNOLOGY/OVERVIEW/intelli_seatbelt.html
8. Lampton, C. (2012, April 17). Blind Spot Monitoring Technologies - HowStuffWorks. Retrieved March 18,
2015, from http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/cars-making-blindspot-less-dangerous1.htm
9. Police RADAR. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2015, from http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/hbase/sound/radar.html
10. Smith, G. (2013, May 29). 120 Years of Car Safety Evolution | Smith's Lawyers. Retrieved March 16, 2015,
from http://www.smithslawyers.com.au/120-years-car-safety/
11. The Evolution of Safety Features in Cars. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2015, from http://www.oallaw.com/history-car-safety-features.html#
12. The Evolution of Car Safety. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2015, from http://www.edwardslawok.com/theevolution-of-car-safety.html
13. The evolution of car safety: A history. (2015, January 31). Retrieved March 16, 2015, from
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/90221/the-evolution-of-car-safety-a-history
14. Wojdyla, B. (2009, September 24). From Benz To Bumpers: A Brief History Of Auto Safety. Retrieved March
16, 2015, from http://jalopnik.com/5364740/from-benz-to-bumpers-a-brief-history-of-auto-safety/

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Second article

The Car: Today and Tomorrow The

Evolution in the Automobile Extras

TORONTO STAR | TUESDAY, March 17 2015

Special Edition

The Car: Today and Tomorrow The Evolution

in the Automobile Extras
Since the first automobile models and design was invented in between 1832 and 1839 by
Robert Anderson of Scotland it was so basic in its mechanical component. However, the
automobile extras are continually improving due to constant world technological advances.
Written by Mohamad Qulam Zaki Bin Mohamad Rasidi, the Freelance Science Writer

ack into the past, the driver used basic components to drive a vehicle. They might use maps and

compasses in order to find the right direction to reach the destination. More time are needed and they might
lost due to wrong direction that they chose. The use of radio antenna also play an important role in a data
transmission during driving.
One of the most famous and advanced automobile extra is Global Positioning System devices or GPS
devices. GPS tracking system in an automobile is a device that can calculate any geographical location
precisely by receiving information from 24 GPS satellites that operated. Initially it is funded and controlled
by the United States Department of Defence, but now most GPS receiver are used in automobiles. The used
of GPS in automobile as one of the most advanced extras can provide more precise position, velocity and
time.
The Physics concept behind the GPS tracking system are very interesting. The GPS receiver which
located in the automobile will analyse high-frequency and low-power signals that it received from the GPS
satellites. The signals are needed in order to know the location of at least three satellites above the
automobiles and the distance between the automobiles and each of the satellites. The GPS receiver will
figure out how much time needed by signals to reach the receiver as we know that the radio waves are
electromagnetic energy that travels with speed of light- three hundred thousand kilometres per second.
Therefore, four GPS satellites are needed to give their signals in order to compute correct positions in three
dimensions and the time that had been set up in the receiver timer.
In a current time, the GPS tracking system are using multiple receiver devices that implanted in the
automobiles. The signals receive from the satellite can be computed faster as more GPS receivers working
in the same time. More accuracy of the automobile position can be detected.
In the future, the automobile GPS may be use WiFi hotspot to operate as we know that in current
moment the satellite positioning do not working well indoors. Therefore, the specific position of
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TORONTO STAR | TUESDAY, March 17 2015

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automobiles can be trace by using combination of call phone towers, WiFi hotspot and the drivers cell
phone. The phone will receive the electromagnetic energy in the waves form from the hotspots which it
gather the information from the satellites.

Figure 1: The GPS tracking system in the automobile;

current method and the use of WiFi hotspots

Figure 2: The body integrated spiral antenna in

the future

Source: http://www.bluvalue.com/tracking-how.html

Source: P Chiaberge, 2011

Another automobile extra is radio antenna. Radio antenna that used in the automobile is an electrical
device that convert electric power into radio waves, or in the other way. The antenna will work together
with transmitter and receiver. The magnetic field around the antenna will produce as the current enters it.
An electric field also will be produced in other wire placed near the transmitter as there are any magnetic
field. The electromagnetic fields in the space will induce each other at the speed of light and they will travel
away from antenna.
In a current time, the automobile use a whip type radio antenna which it consist a straight and flexible
wire and connected with the radio receiver or radio transmitter. They are designed to be flexible and do not
break off easily.
In the future, the body integrated spiral antennas might be uses in an automobile. The researchers
from Germany had found that the possibility for a cavity-backed spiral antenna to be moulted in a car trunk
lid. This type of antenna is more advanced as it have spiral support that can be in dual modes of radiation
and it operates depend on signals that feeding into the antennas body. The first mode is a coplanar
waveguide which generates a radiation pattern that is most suitable for terrestrial services. The second mode
is a couple of slot line which creates a circular polarised radiator and it is suitable for satellite services.
In a conclusion, the extras component in the automobile are kept advancing from day to day. There
are lots of research and improvement had been taken by scientists and automobile developers to develop
future automobile that have more advanced technology compared from today. Therefore, as a huge
community of the world, we should give full support on that research and advancement.
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TORONTO STAR | TUESDAY, March 17 2015

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References:
1. Advancements in Automotive Antennas. (2011). In P Chiaberge (Ed.), New trends and
developments in automotive system engineering (pp. 513-538). S.l., Rijeka: Intech.
2. Binkovitz, L. (2013, April 17). Q A: What Is the Future of GPS? Are We Too Dependent?
Retrieved

March

21,

2015,

from

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-

institution/qa-what-is-the-future-of-gps-are-we-too-dependent-24955693/?no-ist
3. Brain, M. (2000, December 7). Antenna: Real-life Examples - How Radio Works. Retrieved
March 21, 2015, from http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/radio11.htm
4. Bertagna, P. (2010, October 26). How does a GPS tracking system work? | EE Times.
Retrieved March 16, 2015, from http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1278363
5. Harris, T., & Brain, M. (2008, September 25). 2-D Trilateration - HowStuffWorks. Retrieved
March 21, 2015, from http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/travel/gps1.htm
6. H. Dana, P. (n.d.). The Global Positioning System. Retrieved March 21, 2015, from
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gps_f.html
7. How does GPS work?| Explore | physics.org. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2015, from
http://www.physics.org/article-questions.asp?id=55
8. Ronca, D. (2009, March 9). Which is a better navigator -- compass or GPS? - HowStuffWorks.
Retrieved

March

21,

2015,

from

http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-

activities/hiking/compass-or-gps.htm
9. GPS Future and Evolutions. (2015, January 19). Retrieved March 21, 2015, from
http://www.navipedia.net/index.php/GPS_Future_and_Evolutions
10. GPS Tracking System and Monitoring Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2015, from
http://www.bluvalue.com/tracking-how.html

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Third article
The Car: Today and Tomorrow The
Evolution in the Automobile Motion

TORONTO STAR | WEDNESDAY, March 18 2015

Special Edition

The Car: Today and Tomorrow The Evolution

in the Automobile Motion
In the early days of the automobile industry in 15th century, the cars were designed without
regard to acceleration, handling or aerodynamics features that we take for granted nowadays.
Since there the engineers worked harder to make lots of improvement in the automobile
motions.
Written by Mohamad Qulam Zaki Bin Mohamad Rasidi, the Freelance Science Writer

tart from the first moment of the first automobile was invented, most of the things that we encounter for

its motion are not included. The automobile engineers had made many changes to improve acceleration,
handling and aerodynamics of the automobile. Nowadays, we can see most of the automobile are affordable,
safer and enjoyable for owners as there are lots of advance in automobile motion technologies.
The automobile acceleration is one of the components that we will look into and take account if we want
to buy a new vehicle. If we talk about the vehicle performance, the speed, drag force and horsepower will come
out immediately. These three subcomponents are contributed to the automobile acceleration. The speed of the
automobiles are depend on their drag force and horsepower they produce. The automobile need more speed in
order to accelerate based on the formula, a= , where a is acceleration, v is speed and t is time.
In a current time, in order to increase the automobile speed, the engineers built the bigger engine. By
building a bigger engine such as the engine of 2000 Lamborghini with its 576 horsepower, it will make the
automobile move faster. However, the main problem is, what about drag force? A drag force of the automobile
also give a huge impact in its acceleration. In a drag force equation, R= CAv2 , where R is drag force, is an
air density, C is a coefficient of drag, A is area and v is speed, the air density and drag coefficient are constant
but not automobile speed. Therefore, this is a moment where an aerodynamic of the automobile function.
An aerodynamic of the automobile is a combination of interesting Physics concept that had been
implanted in the automobile blueprint by the engineers. An aerodynamic is the study of any forces and their
result due to the air resistance. For example, in order to reduce drag force, the engineers will lower the rooflines,
and make the body surface angles away from the oncoming forces. In the future, in order to channel air
movement in way that it can flow around the automobile with least resistance, the automobiles are designed and
shaped to be more rounded. Moreover, new technology had been introduced so that air can be move smoothly
across the underside of the automobile. The developers also make research on using a spoiler or known as a rear
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TORONTO STAR | WEDNESDAY, March 18 2015

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wing to reduce the air from lifting the automobiles wheel and making them unstable during the high speeds
and acceleration. In a current moment, the rear wing are just a decoration part in the automobile. However, in
the future, it is one of the important components in the aerodynamic aspects of automobiles.

Figure 1: The automobile aerodynamic shape that

reduce the drag forces
Source: http://www.hitechcae.com/blog/designelements-that-contribute-to-the-aerodynamics-ofa-car-body/

Figure 2: The centripetal forces that acting on the car that

contributed to the more advancement technology to
enhance automobile handling
Source:http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/hbase/cf.html

The automobile motion also contributed by its handling. What is the automobile handling? The
automobile handling refer to the way of a vehicle responds when it perform transverse to their direction of
motion, or turns at higher speeds particularly during cornering and swerving.
One of the best configuration in order to have a good handling is placement of the engine at the middle
of the automobile. It is called as mid-engined where the automobile engine will place near the centre of its
body. This engine placement in an automobile can make the handling more easier as the forces will act at the
centre of the vehicle during cornering or swerving. A mid-engined automobile cause it less likely to slide in a
corner during the centripetal forces acting on it, making a more stable and safe automobile. For an example,
during the turning of an automobile around the curve, there are several forces that will act on it such as
centripetal forces and keep it moving in a circle, while the momentum is trying to make it move in a straight
line. Therefore, when the mid-engined is used, the momentum are needed to oppose the centripetal forces for
four tyres and this will minimize the probability for the automobile to slide. There are many other new
technologies that had been used to make handling of an automobile easier and this is one of the easiest example
I can give to you.
In a conclusion, a motion of the automobile are kept advancing from day to day as there are many new
innovations that had been made and will be discover soon. The motion of the automobile gets more smooth due
to their dynamical and efficiency of the design.

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TORONTO STAR | WEDNESDAY, March 18 2015

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References:
1. Aerodynamic Drag. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://physics.info/drag/
2. Aaron, G. (n.d.). All About Handling. Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://www.vroomgirls.com/allabout-handling/
3. Centripetal

Force.

(n.d.).

Retrieved

March

22,

2015,

from

http://hyperphysics.phy-

astr.gsu.edu/hbase/cf.html
4. E. George, P. (2009, March 17). The Science of Aerodynamics - HowStuffWorks. Retrieved March 22,
2015, from http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-economy/aerodynamics1.htm
5. Hussain, K., Rahnejat, H., & Hegazy, S. (2007). Transient vehicle handling analysis with aerodynamic
interactions. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part K: Journal of Multi-body
Dynamics, 221(1), 21-32.
6. Patel, M. (2014, June 2). Design Elements that Contribute to the Aerodynamics of a Car Body. Retrieved
March

22,

2015,

from

http://www.hitechcae.com/blog/design-elements-that-contribute-to-the-

aerodynamics-of-a-car-body/
7. Sill, M. (n.d.). Physics in the Automotive Industry. Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://ffden2.phys.uaf.edu/211.web.stuff/sill/

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Fourth article
The Car: Today and Tomorrow The
Evolution in the Automobile Source of
Power

TORONTO STAR | THURSDAY, March 19 2015

Special Edition

The Car: Today and Tomorrow The Evolution in

the Automobile Source of Power
Since the first design of automobile was proposed in the 15th century, the main source of fuels are
petroleum which emitted various dangerous gases till today. However, only 5% of car energy are
used to move the passengers, meanwhile the other 95% goes toward moving the automobile.
Therefore, the engineers give high commitment to find new sources of automobiles energy in the
future.
Written by Mohamad Qulam Zaki Bin Mohamad Rasidi, the Freelance Science Writer

The engineers and scientists are helping each other to locate more new alternative energy based on the modern
technologies that can be used by the modern automobile in order to optimize the performance, reduce the bad effect
and in the same time lower the cost. Several advanced energy sources are manipulation of hydrocarbon fuels, the light
energy from the sun, electricity and batteries, fuel cells and hydrogen.
The first source of automobile power is hydrocarbon fuels. Hydrocarbon fuels are the fossil fuels that composed
of hydrogen and carbon element. The example of hydrocarbon fuels are petroleum and coal. In a current time, the
hydrocarbon fuels give lots of disadvantages compared to its advantages. The hydrocarbon fuels are highly polluted
the environment by emission of greenhouse gas and they are kept limiting in amount. Therefore, in the future, the new
face of hydrocarbon fuels named Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will be used. The LPG fuels are significantly
produce lower amount of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide to the surrounding and they are less expensive than
other natural gases. Therefore, based on the Europe statistic website, http://ec.europa.eu, the uses of LPG in the world
are kept increasing.
The sun energy or known as solar energy is the second source of automobile power. The solar powered
automobile is an electric automobile that take solar energy directly from the sun to move. The solar panels such as
photovoltaic (PV) cells that attached to the automobile convert the sun energy directly into the electric energy. In a
current moment, the design of the solar car are limited due to limited of energy input into the car. The automobile that
uses sun energy as their primary energy will face the limited consumption of energy and power due to the limited
solar panel surface implanted on the automobile surface area. As we know that the automobile surface area are not so
big thus making it is impossible to produce enough power in a short time without other sources of power. In the future,
the engineers may develop a battery-powered electric automobile that use a sun energy array to recharge.
The electricity also used as the source of automobile power. The electric automobile is using one or more
electric motors that operated by the electrical energy stored in the form of rechargeable batteries. By using the
electricity as the power source of the automobile, it can provide a strong and smooth acceleration. There are also
reduction in the sound produced by the engine as it can reduce the sound pollution on the road. The automobile that
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TORONTO STAR | THURSDAY, March 19 2015

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used electricity as the power source usually have the electric motor, the motors controller either AC or DC and the
batteries. Therefore, the automobile with the electricity power source also need the batteries. The automobile that
used batteries as the component in their power source is known as a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). In this system,
the internal combustion engines (ICEs) are not used for propulsion.
In a current time, the electric automobile that usually used is called as a Plug-In Electric vehicle which it need
to be charge regularly. The normal batteries used is Lithium-Ion batteries which has a high power-to-weight ratio,
most efficient, most perform in a high-temperature and low self-discharge. However, there are still low availability
of recharging infrastructure provide across the countries. Moreover, the batteries and the ownership are cost a higher
amount. In the future, the developers may construct more re-charging stations for the owner and the used of more
high quality and longer life batteries to support the automobile ability on the road. The scientists had found that a pure
lithium anode in the batteries can store about five to six times more energy compared to the traditional graphite anode.

Figure 1: The electric source automobile power engine

that used AC power

Figure 2: The Lithium-Ion batteries in Plug-In Electric

vehicle

Source: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-car2.htm

Source: electronicdesign.com

Do you know that fuel cells are one of the sources of automobile power? Actually the fuel cell is a device that
can generate electricity from the conversion of chemical energy through the chemical reaction with oxidizing agent,
normally hydrogen and oxygen. Each of the fuel cells have two electrodes which each of them are positively charge
and negatively charge called anode and cathode. The energy source programme called as Hydrogen Fuel Initiative
(HFI) had been announced by President Bush in 2003 during his State of the Union Address. In a current time, the
fuel cell will convert hydrogen into electricity and give off some heat and water as the residues. However, the used
of hydrogen is so expensive if compared to other power sources. In the future, the engineers are developing the simple
electrochemical cell to break down water to produce most efficient supplies of hydrogen in fuel cells.
In a conclusion, the use of various renewable automobile power sources in the future can develop a new
healthy environment by reducing the bad effects of traditional fossil fuels that had been used long time ago. There
are lots of research and improvement had been made by the engineers in a current moment. Therefore, the
most efficient and safe power sources can be implanted in the future automobile industries.
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References:
1. Davis, S. (2008, January 17). Electric Vehicles Zero In On Improved Power Management. Retrieved March
23, 2015, from http://electronicdesign.com/energy/electric-vehicles-zero-improved-power-management
2. Batteries for Hybrid and Plug-In Electric Vehicles. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_batteries.html
3. Michael, A. (2013, May 1). Future Battery for the Electric Car. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from
https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/automotive/future-battery-the-electric-car
4. Marshall, B. (2002, March 27). Inside an Electric Car - HowStuffWorks. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-car2.htm
5. Christopher, L. (2009, April 9). Hydrogen Car Setbacks - HowStuffWorks. Retrieved March 23, 2015, from
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/hybrid-technology/hydrogen-cars3.htm
6. Advantages and Disadvantages Of Hydrogen Energy. (2013, January 19). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_Disadvantages_HydrogenEnergy.php
7. Jonathan, S., & Nice, K. (2000, September 18). Types of Fuel Cells - How Fuel Cells Work. Retrieved March
23, 2015, from http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/fuel-cell1.htm
8. Hydrogen. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hydrogen.shtml
9. A Basic Overview of Fuel Cell Technology. (2008, January 1). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from
http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/basics.htm
10. How do Fuel Cells Work? - Fuel Cell Energy. (2013, January 1). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from
http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/why-fuelcell-energy/how-do-fuel-cells-work/
11. Energy from renewable sources. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statisticsexplained/index.php/Energy_from_renewable_sources#
12. Michael, B. (2012, December 13). Car Almanac | Statistics about Pollution, Energy Use, and Danger.
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Fifth article
The Car: Today and Tomorrow The
Evolution in the Automobile Materials

TORONTO STAR | FRIDAY, March 20 2015

Special Edition

The Car: Today and Tomorrow The Evolution in

the Automobile Materials
In year between 1832 and 1839, the first automobile had been invented by Robert Anderson
from Scotland by using various basic materials such as wood, iron, brass and leather. However,
the materials used in the automobile design are continually improving from day to day, till the
first modern car was invented in Germany in 1886 by Karl Benz.
Written by Mohamad Qulam Zaki Bin Mohamad Rasidi, the Freelance Science Writer

T he main materials use in automobile production are metals and plastics. By year 2004, about 11 % of the
automobile materials in Europe are plastics and about 63% are metals (Michael Schirber, 2009). However, there
are lots of pros and cons of plastics and metals used in production of automobile. One of the pros metals used as
an automobile materials is the crumple zone can be made. The mixer of various steel with copper, nickel, tin and
other will make the structure stronger and more flexible. Therefore, the crumple zone can be made in front of the
automobile. The crumple zone can make the time impact shorter during the collision and this will reduce the force
acting toward the automobile. Cons of the used of metals is it will make the automobile increase in mass. Based
on formula F=ma, the mass is inversely proportional to the acceleration of an object. Therefore, the increasing in
mass will slower the automobile. In the same time, plastics are much cheaper but they are not as strong and
flexible as mixer metals. However, they will minimize the mass of the automobile and will help in accelerating
the automobile. The example component in automobile that used plastics are dashboard and airbags. In the future,
more composite materials such as the mixer of wood with plastic can be used to create the crumple zone.
Besides, there are another small component in automobiles that used plastics such as several important
parts in engine. The used of irradiated plastics in the automobile engine such as the oil dipstick handle is very
important. The irradiated plastics had encounter the electron beam irradiation and made them dimensionally more
stable under the influence of heat, chemical resistant, solvents and extreme temperature.
In a current time, metals and the mixer of some plastics are used as the components in the exhaust system
for automobile. However in the future, the full manufactured automobile exhaust will be used. One of the exhaust
manufacture company, DuPont Zytel in Germany state that the used of nylon, which is fully synthetic plastic can
boost heat performance and it have ability to withstand most of chemical environment. The irradiated plastic in
exhaust are corrosion resistance, thus making them last longer. They also can be moulded easily to better fit with
modern automobile and they also weight less compared to current metal exhaust. In the fuel consumption for the
automobile to move, the used of plastic in exhaust can cut fuel consumption and it allow the gas to flow with less
resistance. Therefore, the engine management can be optimise and reduce the fuel used by the automobile, thereby

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TORONTO STAR | FRIDAY, March 20 2015

Special Edition

reducing the emission of Carbon Dioxide. In the future, the engineers are trying to make the possibilities for
plastics to enhance automobile horsepower and reduce more Carbon Dioxide emission.

Figure 1: The increasing in the amount of plastics used in

manufactured of automobile in the future

Figure 2: The convex mirror in the rear view

and side mirror of the automobile

Source: http://www.atkearney.com

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curved_mirror

In the manufacture of automobile windshield, rear and side-view mirror, the glass materials had been
used. The windshield was invented to protect a driver from a wind resistance during the driving. However, the
glass may be broken down into the small pieces during the car crash which will harm the driver. Therefore, the
engineers had developed a laminated glass. The engineers used glass that consists of a thin layer of polyvinyl
butyral (PVB) that inserted between the two layers of glasses can optimize the safety and protect the occupants
from projectile during the accident. The PVB will absorb the energy during the huge impact of crash. In the
Physics concept, the PVB will slower the time impact and reduce the force on the windshield glass and this will
give a glass resistance to penetration from occupant projectiles. Moreover, the PVB glass also will deflect the
ultraviolet about 95% and make the drivers more focus on their drive which it use the concept of polarization of
glass which it will confine the ultraviolet wave to one direction. For rear and side-view mirrors of the automobile,
they are not a flat mirror- the front glass surface is at the angle to the back and they will have wedge-shaped with
thicker edge at the top, commonly named as convex mirror. The convex rear and side-view mirror will reflect the
light off the front surface and make the images dimmer so that they images do not hurt the drivers eyes. The
images produced also bigger than the normal flat mirror. The light reflection in the convex mirror can be seen in
Figure 2.
In a conclusion, the materials used in the automobile manufacture are kept advancing from day to day.
There are lots of research and improvement had been made by the engineers in a current moment. Therefore, the
most efficient and safe materials can be implanted in the future automobile industries.

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TORONTO STAR | FRIDAY, March 20 2015

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References:
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