Chrysler 2010 Annual Report Download - page 49

48 REPORT ON
OPERATIONS
RESEARCH
AND INNOVATION
presence throughout Italy have also led to its participation in many public-private partnerships (PPPs) set up to
focus public and private research on areas of common interest and on industrial applications both in Italy and
at the European level (Green Car Initiative, Factories of the Future). CRF has also developed a global network
of more than 160 universities and research centers, and over 1,500 industrial partners around the world. This
network strengthens the center’s global innovation strategies and facilitates local implementation of specific
projects, as well as ensuring creation of know-how and continuous monitoring to enhance competitiveness
and further development in areas such as vehicles and vehicle components, energy, safe and ecological
mobility, telematics, innovative materials and related technologies, mechatronics and optics, together with
innovation in the area of engine technologies, alternative propulsion systems and transmissions (through the
Powertrain Research and Technology unit).
Further information is available at www.crf.it.
Focus
Particularly active in the field of mobility, CRF applies a systematic, 360 degree approach to the study of
innovative solutions: the winning strategy is to be flexible in employing the best resources available to achieve
mobility that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. Indeed, no single solution is relied upon,
but rather a constant commitment to optimizing vehicles and engines, both through research into solutions
that improve the efficiency of conventional engines (the TwinAir engine and Twin Clutch system were launched
in 2010) and the use of alternative propulsion systems and fuels, as well as increasing energy efficiency,
searching for new materials and increasing the percentage of end-of-life recycling. On the product front,
key innovations include solutions for climate control systems that lower consumption and reduce the direct
greenhouse effect (refrigerant gas emissions). CRF also has a series of projects related to auxiliary systems
and, more generally, to vehicle energy recovery and management systems (electrical, thermal and hydraulic
energy) aimed at improving efficiency and achieving new energy saving standards. Iveco Glider, the concept
vehicle presented by Iveco in 2010 and developed in collaboration with CRF, represents a synthesis of the
search for new solutions for sustainable mobility that brings together innovative concepts in energy efficiency,
aerodynamics, ergonomics, infomobility and comfort.
As with product-focused research, the objective for manufacturing processes is to design, build and adapt
systems, processes or plants using energy saving criteria and low environmental impact technologies, based
on an eco-efficient manufacturing model.
CRF’s activities are focused in the following areas.
Powertrain Research and Technology
The principal objective is the development and application of innovative technologies that improve powerplant
performance, cut engine and vehicle emissions and improve fuel economy. Major achievements in 2010
include:
After-treatment technologies for Euro 6 diesel engines. In 2014, new and much stricter emissions
limits for passenger cars (Euro 6) will come into effect in Europe. Currently, in most diesel engines, nitrogen
oxides (NOx) are treated during the combustion phase and the principal technology used is Exhaust
Gas Recirculation (EGR). In the future, where the use of NOx after-treatment is necessary, the preferred
technology for small and medium segment vehicles will be the NOx Storage Catalytic Converter (NSC).
During normal operation of the engine, this catalyzer traps the NOx emissions and, when it has reached its
storage capacity, it regenerates within a few seconds, releasing the NOx particles and reducing them to N2.
This solution, which in 2010 underwent significant development and fine-tuning, has the two-fold advantage
of being particularly cost effective and not requiring modifications to the exhaust configuration.