Category Archives: Useful Information

R1234yf MAC refrigerant consist of highly toxic carbonyl fluoride

R1234yf MAC refrigerant consist of highly toxic carbonyl fluoride

Chemists at Ludwig Maximilians Universität München report that 20% of the gases produced by the combustion of R1234yf—the approved low global warming potential refrigerant for mobile air conditioning (MAC) systems, the adoption of which has met with resistance from German automakers —consist of the highly toxic chemical carbonyl fluoride.Carbonyl fluoride is structurally related to phosgene (which contains chlorine in place of fluorine), which was used as a chemical weapon during the First World War. Kornath and his co-workers have just published the results of their investigation in the journal Zeitschrift für Naturforschung B.

First “MotorBrain” lightweight electric motor system prototype shown

MotorBrain prototype. Integrated unit is on the left, the motor core is at the right.

The four partners in the European research project ”MotorBrain”—Infineon Technologies, Siemens, the Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology at the Technische Universität (Technical University) Dresden and ZF Friedrichshafen—are presenting their first prototype of a lightweight electric motor system that requires no rare earth metals.

FEV showcasing plug-in hybrid transmission at SAE World Congress

FEV showcasing plug-in hybrid transmission at SAE World Congress

FEV North America, Inc. is showcasing its most recent transmission design at the SAE World Congress in Detroit, Mich.

Toyota recalls 6.4 million cars for safety checks – 810,000 in Europe

Toyota recalls 6.4 million cars for safety checks - 810,000 in Europe

Toyota has announced safety recalls for RAV4, Hilux, Yaris and Urban Cruiser models. The recall will affect 6.4 million vehicles globally and affect 35,124 UK-registered vehicles.

Tesla launches business leasing program

Tesla launches business leasing program

Tesla  has launched a new business leasing program for the Model S.