Automotive electrical energy

In addition, the copper industry s market development activities have resulted in appHcations such as clad ship hulls, sheathing for offshore platforms, automotive electrical systems including electric vehicles, improved automobde radiators, solar energy, fire sprinkler systems, parts for fusion reactors, semiconductor lead frames, shape memory alloys, and superconducting ceramics (qv) containing copper oxides. 

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert the chemical energy of the fuels directly into electrical energy, and are considered to be the key technology for power generation in stationary, automotive, portable and even microscale systems. Among all kinds of fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells have really exhibited the potential to replace current portable power sources and micropower sources in the market (Yao et al., 2006). 

Ultrasonic welding, used increasingly in the aerospace, automotive, electrical, and electronics industries. The process requires simpler surface preparation and less energy and allows welding of thinner sheets to thicker structural members. 

A more detailed description of different types of batteries and other electric energy storage systems for electric vehicles can be found in Sect. 5.3, while a description of the main characteristics and properties of fuel cells for automotive application is given here, starting from some basic concepts of electrochemistry and thermodynamic, and focusing the attention on the operative parameters to be regulated to obtain the best performance in the specific application. 

The preparation of the market for the introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles on the road has to be promoted synergistically with all involved stakeholders (automotive OEMs, energy-/oil-companies, infrastructure companies, authorities and governments) within a pubhc-private partnership activity. The automotive OEMs proved via the design of numerous research vehicles and prototypes, that the technology is ready for the market. The reliability and the technical cmicept have been demonstrated by several automotive OEMs, as for example by Mercedes-Benz... 

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