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Self-lubricating brakes could be in your future

Researchers from Canada and Iran have found that mixing carbon fibers into polymer-based brakes is a way to create "self-lubricating" brakes. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers reported that this new development is "very important for the automotive and railroad industries,"...

Mar 20, 2019

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Innovative braking systems being tested for fastest new bullet train

Bullet trains have already set the bar higher for rail travel. Now Japan is testing the newest version, the ALFA-X Shinkansen, a train that can reach speeds of almost 225 miles per hour - the fastest in the world. Although its speed is the most noteworthy accomplishment, the braking systems will also...

Mar 15, 2019

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40 countries requiring automatic braking starting in 2020

Japan and the European Union are leading the way in a 40-nation effort to build safer cars by requiring automated braking systems, according to a February 12 announcement by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).The only countries that have not signed on to this agreement are...

Mar 11, 2019

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Lime scooter braking problems trigger warnings

Lime, a major international electric scooter manufacturer, is warning riders to exercise extra caution when operating its two-wheeled devices. According to The Washington Post, the warning came about after testing revealed "sudden, excessive braking," which could result in injuries to users.Accidents...

Mar 07, 2019

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Insurance Institute begins testing SUV automatic braking systems

How effective are the new automatic braking systems being offered on small-size, luxury crossover SUVs? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) decided to put them to a test and came up with some surprising results.Nine of the 11 vehicles evaluated succeeded at automatically applying the brakes...

Feb 26, 2019

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3D-printed brakes: How close are they?

Auto manufacturers have long been familiar with 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, due to its use in prototyping. Companies have been turning three-dimensional blueprints into physical items for decades, using this fast method of creation to compare different iterations of essential parts...

Jan 16, 2019

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Where are regenerative brakes headed?

As vehicles become more energy-efficient and eco-friendly, new braking systems receive updates to keep up. One such system that's been improved since its introduction is regenerative braking, which can recover 5 to 20 percent of transmitted energy to be reused in the car battery or stored as...

Dec 27, 2018

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Government miscalculates benefit of train brake rule

In early June, 2016, a train carrying fuel derailed near the Columbia River in Oregon. Twelve cars went off the tracks in the accident, and the result was an oil spill and fire that lasted 14 hours.The accident was one of 26 similar incidents involving oil-transporting trains since 2006 in the United...

Dec 27, 2018

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How much do brakes contribute to microplastic pollution?

New studies show that plastics from vehicle brakes and tires contribute greatly to microplastics pollution globally. A team of researches studied hundreds of particles near roadways to discover that an alarming amount of waste comes from cars. Here's a look at the findings and what experts are...

Dec 18, 2018

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Ford announces use of 3D printed brake parts

3D printing is an increasingly popular technology that saves both time and money for companies worldwide. So how is the automotive industry responding?Ford has just unveiled its new manufacturing center outside of Detroit, which includes several new technologies the brand plans to use to make vehicle...

Dec 06, 2018

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