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.

Government To Call Time On Tax Disc

THE HUMBLE tax disc is set to become a thing of the past, with Chancellor George Osborne planning to shake up the way we tax our vehicles as part of his Autumn Statement announcement. After more than 90 years affixed to British motorists' cars, the tax disc is to be scrapped and replaced with a modern electronic system. For the first time motorists will also be able to pay for their vehicle excise duty (VED) by monthly direct debit, although this will cost an extra 5%.

Toyota RAV4 EV hits California roads this summer at $49,800

Toyota RAV4 EV The Toyota RAV4 EV – the electric version of the RAV4 – will hit the road in California in the summer. Costs $49,800. After a bit of confusion last year when spokesman for Toyota claimed the RAV4 EV wouldn’t be sold to the general public – a statement quickly corrected by Toyota – the Toyota RAV4 EV is now going on sale.