Avionics engineer Matt Materia who features in the Smiths chapter of Cool Mavericks and played a leading role in the British instrument company’s foray into mobile air conditioning in Australia,died in Melbourne on 24 October, 2024. He was 94 years of age. Cool Mavericks co-author Ken Newton interviewed Matt after research uncovered his role in … Continue reading Vale Matthew Materia, the Smiths pioneer
We often talk about the fear of the unknown, and rarely are such fears more unfounded than when an ARCtick licence holder is preparing for an audit, especially their first audit. Officially these audits are called permit condition checks, and their purpose is to ensure that holders of a Refrigerant Trading Authorisation (RTA) are complying … Continue reading ARC Insights: Don’t fear the audit!
Lancia, the iconic Italian car-maker known for its rich rallying history, is making a significant return to motorsport with the introduction of the Ypsilon Rally 4 HF. This marks the first factory-built Lancia rally car in 32 years and includes the brand’s legendary Martini livery as per the 037 and Delta Integrale models from the … Continue reading Lancia to go rallying (and electric)
View from NZ with VASA New Zealand Director Catherine Tocker As the cost of living crisis puts pressure on household budgets in New Zealand, independent automotive repair shops are pushing for changes that could save customers money on vehicle maintenance and repairs. However, gaining fair access to vital technical information from manufacturers faces challenges due … Continue reading Choice of Repairer progresses in NZ
Mercedes-Benz CTO Markus Schäfer says developments in lithium-ion batteries could potentially mean that solid-state batteries “may not be necessary” because “so many people have worked on the conventional cells, making them so much better”. While the majority of electric vehicles currently utilise lithium-ion batteries with a liquid electrolyte, the industry has been shifting its focus … Continue reading Solid state batteries? No need: Mercedes
German compressor manufacturer Secop has unveiled the BD Nano, a cutting-edge silent compressor designed for battery-driven applications such as motorhomes and electric vehicles. Secop anticipates that the BD Nano will boost the performance of in-car compressor refrigerators, such as those found in electric vehicles like the Kia EV5, which has a four-litre capacity, and the … Continue reading New onboard fridge compressor for EVs
Nanofilm membrane technology could significantly reduce the energy required for automotive window demisting if proven successful in commercial and residential air-conditioning and dehumidification systems. Evelyn Allen, co-founder and CEO of Evercloak, a Canadian spin-out company from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, says the firm’s nanofilms “disrupt traditional energy cooling systems by dehumidifying air more … Continue reading Innovation reduces AC energy consumption
Researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK are working on a patent-pending microwave-based thermochemical HVAC system that could enhance the battery range of electric vehicles by up to 70 per cent. Conceived by research lead Professor Yongliang Li in pursuit of zero-carbon technologies, the e-Thermal bank system combines a chemical heat pump with … Continue reading Uni claims microwave HVAC teck can boost EV range
The 2025 Ramcharger represents the first series hybrid from Stellantis or, as the global automotive conglomerate dubs it, a Range-Extended Electric Truck. It is designed to addresses three major concerns among electric ute owners: Range anxiety, towing and hauling practicality, and charging when away from base. Continue reading Is Ram’s 2025 Ramcharger the revol-ute-ion we’ve been waiting for?
In the rapidly evolving world of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the need for innovative materials is growing due to the unique challenges faced in thermal, electromagnetic and acoustic shielding. Chemical companies are busy developing new grades of specialised plastics to capture these opportunities. Continue reading Advancements in plastics pivotal to transport electrification
