University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies The Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies

University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies Vision of the CAVT Promote the development of efficient, safe, secure, economical, durable, comfortable, user- friendly and environmentally-conscious vehicles for meeting the transportation needs of America through discovery, research and education.

University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies CAVT Technical Thrusts Fuel cells NVH and controls Materials Manufacturing processes Hydrogen vehicle safety IC engines- emissions, fuels, novel combustion Hybrid electric vehicles (IC engine/electric motor) Award winning Ballard/UA/ Freightliner APU project

University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies Partnering & Research Initiation CAVT supports vehicle engineering research needs for Alabama manufacturers and the Southeast- we’ll travel! Mercedes M-Class, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Odyssey- made in Alabama!

University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies Fuel Cell PEMFCSOFC 1.Hydrogen Production 2.N-Based Energy Systems 3.Electrolyte Membrane 4.Catalyst & Electrode 5.Bipolar/End Plates 6.Heat Transfer 7.Vibration Analysis 1.Electrode Materials 2.Electrolyte Material 3.Interconnects Modeling and System Integration DOT/CAVT, DOE/EPSCoR Argonne, Ballard, Honda UA Departments Chemical Eng. Metallurgical Eng. Mechanical Eng. Chemistry EPA/GCHSRC, NSF Fuel Cell Research

University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies IC Engines Research Venerable IC engines program- focus is emissions, alternative fuels and diesel engines. Current research focuses on alternative fuels, hybrid electric vehicles, cold start emissions, and engine optimization for hybrid electric vehicles.

University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies Structural Acoustics Lab Ballard/UA/Freightliner award- winning fuel cell APU project Detailed spatial vibration measurements Vibration isolation, structural damping Source location, directivity, and other acoustic characterizations Active control analysis, implementation Structural vibration and acoustic radiation modeling

University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies Fuel Cell Safety & Failure Modes in Light Duty Vehicles Fuel Cell Power Unit Lumped Parameter Modeling Subcomponents Vehicle Frame FCPU Finite ElementFinite Element Identify CriticalIdentify Critical Components Components Hydrogen Leakage IssuesHydrogen Leakage Issues ID Failure ModesID Failure Modes Critical Loads, Paths, and Response Levels and Response Levels H2H2 Simulations ExperimentalEfforts 023 Crash Impulse Road Response Goals Examine crashworthiness and operational safety issues of fuel cells in light duty vehicle applications through modeling and component testing. Benefits A better understanding of the safety issues and failure modes of light duty vehicles incorporating fuel cells will provide information critical to public policy for transportation.

University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies Hydrogen Tank Integrity Studies (a) 45 MPa (b) 45 MPa (c) Operating Pressure 35 MPa w/ Pre-stress (d) Operating Pressure 35 MPa w/o Pre-stress

University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies H 2 Dispersion / Ignition in Enclosures Dispersion behavior of H 2 in a horizontal channel increasing leak strength Objectives Characterize H 2 dispersion behavior in production vehicle enclosures Identify hydrogen ignition conditions and characterize ignition behavior Examine mitigate methods Motivation Small leaks in H 2 delivery systems may ignite, endangering vehicle occupants Need to understand dispersion & ignition behavior Methods Computational Fluid Dynamics Experimental Measurements of Hydrogen Concentrations & Ignition Behavior Computational Grid to model automobile interior