Innovative vehicle technologies on track – with regional analysis

What have a range extender, switchable security systems, lightweight plastic structures and a regional science laboratory got in common? They are all research items of the Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences ZuFOR project and are examples of innovative aspects in the further development of vehicle technologies.

Over the next four years, interdisciplinary teams of scientists will be undertaking research in cooperation with companies, organisations and regional stakeholders, in the context of the funding initiative Niedersächsisches Vorab [Lower Saxony at the Fore].

"Network structure with a right of way" – Ostfalia as a catalyst for regional innovations
In the three technical sub-projects – in cooperation and in exchange with partners in the region – the following aspects of the vehicle are being researched: Vehicle 4.0 for autonomous driving; vehicle systems for active and integral safety/security; and innovative processes in plastic technology for lightweight automotive construction purposes. These research topics relate to an area that has special significance in this region, and they impact on both SMEs, larger enterprises and – in Volkswagen – the major player in the automotive industry.

Vehicle 4.0 for autonomous driving (Prof Dr Xiaobo Liu-Henke): The current difficulties around consumption and emissions show that fuel consumption and pollutant emissions from motor vehicles are subject to very minimal possible future reductions as a result of optimising internal combustion engines and power trains. On the other hand, low-emission electric vehicles – a key technology due to the low energy-density electrochemical storage units involved – currently do not have sufficiently large ranges, such that there is a lack of customer acceptance. The joint use of chemical and electrical energy as power sources in hybrid vehicles provides a solution to this current conflict. The aim of the project is the conception of autonomous, predictive and energy-optimal hybrid vehicles, using intelligent electronic vehicle systems which combine innovative technology to optimise energy consumption, reduce pollution and increase the range, and despite – or maybe as a result of – the function-driven nature of the vehicle concept, meet the needs of the customer and thus ensure a high degree of applicative use. Another focus of the sub-project is on the digitisation and networking of these intelligent vehicles in cyber-physical-transport systems, such that a variety of innovative features can be developed.

In the field of material sciences, the Institute for Recycling, under the leadership of Prof Dr Achim Schmiemann is also working on the theme of "Polymer membranes in redox flow batteries". The vanadium-based redox flow battery, essentially allows the intermediate storage of (even) large quantities of fluctuating electrical energy. There are pilot projects all around the world. Membranes impact on the lifespan, energy efficiency and the performance of a battery cell and are to be further examined in the context of the project. In addition, Prof Schmiemann's team are investigating innovative plastic-technology processes for lightweight automotive construction: approximately 36% of the CO2 emitted by (conventionally powered) vehicles is dependent on its weight. The range extenders and battery technology used in the vehicles with alternative drives will, due to their mass, give a further negative contribution to CO2 emissions. As a result, lightweight construction – involving extremely light materials – is being promoted from all sides. The time-consuming processing, i.e. a lack of suitability for series production, is often a stumbling block in this respect. In close cooperation with companies from the region, a plastics processing technique involving injection moulding is used, with proven suitability for large-scale production.

Vehicle systems for active and integral safety (Prof Dr Harald Bachem): Alongside the move away from fossil fuels, the reduction in the number of traffic accident victims despite the ever denser traffic and increasing urbanisation is a topic of particular social relevance in Europe. In its "Vision Zero", the European Union has set itself the goal of halving the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents within 10 years (from 2010 to 2020). Following an increase in traffic deaths after the publication of "Vision Zero", the number of road accident victims stagnated for a long period, such that new systems are required, in particular for individual transport and road freight, not least in order to reach the objective of halving the number of road deaths.  A central role in this is ascribed to the development of driver assistance systems, vehicle networking (Car2X) and of semi-autonomous and autonomous driving functions. However, of particular importance for the next decades will be integral vehicle safety systems which combine active and passive safety, so that, in particular, the immediate pre-accident phase is more effectively used. The data are from real accidents and simulations in the form of computer animations are used to readjust the scenarios. By integrating ideal sensor models, possible capabilities are being investigated and the possible measures determined. In considering the results from the animations, the impact of the variation of physical properties, and of the type of the other party involved in the accident, was studied. Using the modelling option provided by the simulation programs used, a statement on occupant behaviour and the consequences of the accident is made, and the associated options for the use of integral systems derived. Based on these studies, novel solutions for integrated systems arise, such solutions being evaluated using analyses carried out previously.

Creating and analysing open network structures: this is the focal point of the fourth sub-project, based at the Ostfalia's Centre for Social Innovations in Salzgitter (Prof Dr Andreas Jain). The technical sub-projects are active elements of the Open Region Lab (ORL), within the framework of which the project results will be presented, and discussed on an interdisciplinary level. The ORL aims to act as an incubator in the regional innovation system. The research aim of the integrative cross-sectional project is to determine the extent to which the establishment of an ORL strengthens the power of innovation in the region, and what requirements the companies have of the innovation process. This research sub-project also deals with how acceptance of the ORL is developing, and the formats offered in the course of the project. The organisation and coordination of the ORL is done in close coordination with Ostfalia's Knowledge and Technology Transfer department, which reports directly to the Vice President for Research, Development and Technology Transfer, Prof Dr Gert Bikker.

Please contact Gabriele Stiller for more information.

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