Institution news
Mike Bassett returns to this year’s seminar to provide a technical overview and advantages of MAHLE's passive jet ignition system.
Q: Please can you briefly explain your role and involvement with powertrain technologies.
Mike Bassett (MB): I lead MAHLE Powertrain’s research activities. Historically, our main focus has been gasoline engine development, especially in terms of high-specific output engines and downsizing. Our current activities also focus on hybridisation (mild and plug-in) and also full electric drivetrains, vehicle cooling and ancillaries. In terms of IC engine research we are currently focussing on pre-chamber based combustion systems. For electrification, we see rapid battery charging as a key technology to bring about wider acceptance and adoption.
Q: What are the most exciting developments in your field at the moment, either within your organisation or in the industry in general?
MB: There are some very interesting developments happening in the field of IC engines – considerable efficiency improvements are being realised through the various dilute (lean or EGR) combustion systems that are being developed. I think there will be big strides made in bio and renewable fuels; the benefits offered by these technologies are that they could give immediate benefits, in terms of CO2 reduction, for the existing fleet, without the reliance of waiting for fleet replacement. These fuels are also quite suited to extremely downsized engines – allowing greater levels of specific output and reduced emissions too!
In terms of electric vehicles, the key breakthrough is needed in battery cell technology. Increased energy storage density is desired, but I think the crucial technology step would be to enable the battery to be recharged in a matter of minutes; that would be the real game changer.
Q: What is the most important factor that powertrain engineers should be focusing on and why?
MB: The main industry focus over the coming years will be finding economically viable ways to meet fleet CO2 targets. Currently legislation favours increased electrification (off-board electricity counts as zero CO2). Increasing fleet electrification in a way that provides consumers with a desirable product, at an acceptable price is part of the challenge. The other aspect we must ensure is that the technological changes that we promoting with new legislative targets is delivering truly environmentally beneficial, and sustainable, products. Ultimately a holistic view needs to be adopted based on complete life-cycle analysis.
Q: Where do you see the future of these assets in the next 5 – 10 years?
MB: Powertrain technology, and the legislative landscape, is changing very quickly at the moment, making the prediction of future powertrain technology very challenging and interesting. Mild-hybridisation offers very good fuel consumption reductions for modest increases in hardware costs and are likely to be adopted across almost all conventionally powered vehicles. I believe that renewable fuels and plug-in hybridisation will have a large role to play over the next two decades. In the long term, the legislative targets drive the majority of passenger cars to be fully electric.
Q: Why do you feel it is important for all engineers and professionals involved in these technologies to join the seminar?
MB: The seminar contains a good mix of presentations covering key topics and I hope that there will be a lively discussion around the challenges facing the industry currently.
High Performance Powertrains 2020, 25 November 2020, Online
Taking place every two years, this seminar provides engineering with the a perfect opportunity to find out how market leaders are tackling common challenges and to understand what the future of high performance powertrains looks like. Mike from MAHLE Powertrain will be joined by his peers at Audi Motorsport, Advanced Engine Research, Cosworth, Williams Advanced Engineering and Ricardo Motorsport, with an opening keynote with Pat Symonds, Chief Technical Officer at Formula One.
For more information, full programme and to book your place to get involved, please visit www.imeche.org/hpp2020.