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Packaging constrictions in new vehicles dominate the positioning and organization of components within the engine compartment. With less space and more temperature sensitive components, (plastics for lightweighting, infotainment, and electrical components) thermal management becomes an increasingly critical aspect of vehicle design. Component hot spots can lead to safety, durability, and warranty issues. Careful consideration of component placement and heat shields is mandatory to avoid costly late-stage fixes....

Understanding the thermal behavior of underbody components can help an engineer balance the priorities and tightening restrictions for vehicle design. The underbody of a vehicle experiences some of the most thermally dramatic scenarios for which there is no simple solution. By using a method that provides accurate thermal predictions, engineers can assess a variety of design options early in the product development cycle. These predictions will provide a better understanding of the thermal behavior the vehicle will undergo under both extreme and common scenarios....

Thermal modeling can be particularly challenging because setting up your thermal simulation can be different every time. Meanwhile, you seek to balance competing priorities within your design. "It should be lightweight! Durable! Affordable!" the list of hopeful attributes is extensive so some compromise will have to occur. You can better decide where those accommodations can be made with an accurate thermal model. ...

Wearables are being incorporated into our daily routines more and more. From fitness trackers to augmented reality glasses, we wear these devices on our wrists, neck, face, etc. These technologies were created to seamlessly assist us in our activities, functioning as personal assistants, fitness coaches, or sources of entertainment. But these devices are only noted for their truly unique features when they get the basics right....

It's a hot August day. You're in the car on the way to a wedding. You have the air conditioning blasting. But as the sun beats down through the windshield, sweat collects on your spine as you lean into the seat....