Car seats could save energy

The range of electric vehicles needs improvement, with “energy guzzlers” such as air conditioning and interior heating systems operating from the power supply. Scientists at the Hohenstein Institute in Germany are studying heat transfer in car seats to create a model of the processes involved and implement it in the design of improved seating. The researchers are concentrating on using appropriate materials and combining them to provide passive climate control. They can then calculate the combinations of materials and structural designs that would have the best effect on both heating and cooling behavior. This knowledge will help small- and medium-sized automotive suppliers secure a competitive advantage in the future by increasing comfort levels, saving energy and reducing development costs.