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.

Richard Madeley – Guest Car Reviewer

Richard Madeley joins Cars UK as a guest reviewer So we thought it might be fun to get some well-known faces to spend a bit of time with an interesting car and get their feedback. A sort of ‘Stars Test Cars’ occasional feature. So we set to work – pulled some strings and begged some favours – and the first of our ‘Stars Test Cars’ writers is broadcaster and journalist Richard Madeley.

Ferrari designer Sergio Scaglietti dies at 91

Sergio Scaglietti, the man responsible for the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, the 500 Mondial, the 750 Monza and other great cars, died on Nov. 20. He was 91 years old.