Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

MIT develops self-transforming materials that behave 'like robots without robots'

A cross-disciplinary research lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a suite of programmable materials, including carbon fiber, printed wood grain, textile composites, rubbers and plastics, that self-transform when exposed to an external stimulus. Director of the Self-Assembly Lab, Skylar Tibbits, presented a TED talk on 4D printing in 2013, where he demonstrated how a flat sheet of material could effectively build itself when exposed to water, like a robot without a robot. Following positive feedback from industries including aviation, automotive and manufacturing, his lab has been working on developing materials that change according to different activation sources, including heat, light, and air pressure, in addition to water – all of which have automotive relevance.

Jaguar F-Type to get V8 engine option

The Jaguar F-Type will get a V8 powerplant in addition to a supercharged V6 when it launches in 2013, Autoweek has learned. The much-anticipated two-seat sports car was confirmed in April at the New York auto show. Jaguar then elaborated weeks later at the Beijing motor show that the F-Type would get a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 pushing out 380 hp.

Volvo asks: Can science measure how car design makes you feel?

Can science measure how car design makes you feel? That's the question Volvo designers and neuroscientists have been trying to answer using Electroencephalographic (EEG) machines to measure the emotional response to the Volvo Concept Coupé's design, amongst other things. The results will be revealed tomorrow during a Google Hangout featuring Volvo's exterior design chief Maximilian Missoni and neuropsychologist Dr.