MT Magazine July/August 2023

MANUFACTURING MATTERS

JULY/AUGUST 2023

9

Manufacturing Matters Check in for the highlights, headlines, and hijinks that matter to manufacturing. These lean news items keep you updated on the latest developments.

TECHNOLOGY

Lightweight Is the Future of Transportation Material science is the path to get there. The need for more powerful and efficient vehicles continues to grow as external factors such as population growth, fossil fuel supply, and global warming force change. Integrated computation materials engineering (ICME) will pave the way for new, more robust, lighter, and application-specific materials. ICME depends on several underlying technologies, such as artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and simulations, to drive previously unsolvable solutions. Artificial intelligence has enabled the process to bypass trial-and-error design techniques. Simulations validate the form, material, and process of the specific applications. The advances in computing power drive both of these technologies. Movement is life, and lighter solutions enable freedom of movement.

INTELLIGENCE

Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines: Porsche’s Sustainable Alternative Thanks to Porsche’s strides in developing hydrogen internal combustion engines, the technology is now positioned as an alternative to gasoline engines, matching V-8 performance while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The global hydrogen combustion engine market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.78%, reaching a value of $46.31 billion by 2033. Hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles offer sustainability advantages over full-electric vehicles, emitting only water vapor and enabling production with renewable energy sources. They also provide faster refueling times and longer driving ranges. Porsche’s dedication to hydrogen technology demonstrates their commitment to innovation and sustainable mobility. This investment not only establishes them as a pioneer in sustainable transportation but also highlights hydrogen internal combustion engines as a cleaner and viable alternative to full-electric vehicles.

SMARTFORCE

Navigating the EV Workforce If consumer demand, government policies, and automaker commitments are driving the EV market, is there a workforce to take the wheel? Public-private partnerships are answering the call for a skilled talent pool to manufacture, maintain, and repair electric vehicles and their components. Here are some examples. • The American Association of Community Colleges will use an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to create EV apprenticeships with partners such as Tesla, Panasonic, and Truckee Meadows Community College in Nevada. • In North Carolina, Siemens is partnering with Wake Technical Community College to offer a four-year apprenticeship that prepares high school and college students for EV careers in affiliation with its nearby e-mobility manufacturing hub. • Alongside 15 employer partners, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced the $350,000 Michigander EV Scholars Program to fund scholarships for up to 350 students, which marks the nation’s largest recruitment effort.