Automotive – Science and Technology Blog

Auto Racing Safety

by JustinFebruary 9, 2014July 24, 2015Automotive / SportsLeave a Comment

Every race fan loves to see photos posted on their favorite team’s profiles, from Danika Patrick to Sebastian Vettel. Doctors and other medical professionals have a different reaction to this dangerous sport. While there is some truth to the adage that some fans go to the races in hopes of witnessing an accident, the vast majority admire racers ability to handle these state of the art vehicles while racing against tough competitors. While there will likely always be accidents — and possibly even deaths — the race industry continues to take steps to make it safer for drivers to compete at higher and higher speeds.

HANS device

The development of the Head And Neck Support (HANS) device in the late 20th century was a major breakthrough for the sport. By bracing the helmet and diverting the flow of energy to the driver’s torso and chest, the device provides additional protection for the head and neck during a crash. It keeps the head from whipping forward during a crash without adding undue stress to the neck. This greatly reduces neck injuries like whiplash.

Suits & Seats

Fire retardant racing suits, gloves and shoes that protect drivers during a fire seem like a no-brainer (and most racers also wear fire retardant underwear). What most people don’t know is that the seats within the cars are designed for safety. Most racing seats actually wrap around the driver’s rib cage and even the shoulders. These support the driver by spreading the g-forces of high speeds around more of the body, instead of concentrating it in small areas. In addition, the carbon fiber construction absorbs far more impact energy in a crash than earlier seat designs. Lastly, each seat includes an elaborate harness system of 5 or 6 points that secures the driver at the shoulders, waist, and legs.

Car Design

Race car design varies depending on the style of racing and type of car. However, most race cars have window nets and roll cages to protect drivers during a crash. They may also have roof flaps, special glass and additional steel support for the driver’s door. Future cars may have more head room to decrease head impact and smaller fuel cells to reduce the chance of fire.

Track Features

Many race tracks around the world have installed safety barriers to help reduce crashes. The SAFER barrier was designed to replace concrete walls and they absorb the energy of a crash significantly better than their predecessors. Speedways also enforce strict pit stop safety precautions to protect both the drivers and the pit crew from accidents.

Safety will continue to be a priority for racers, leagues, and car designers as long as the sport exists. New designs for suits and helmets are being developed with input from medical professionals as well as the drivers themselves. Cutting edge race teams keep an eye on protecting their racers, not just thrilling their fans.

Hans device demo

The Cutting Edge for Ambulances

by JustinApril 10, 2013March 21, 2014AutomotiveLeave a Comment

Every day that goes by sees more innovations in automotive technology. Cars are getting more comfortable, faster, more fuel efficient, and better overall. But one place where all of the new technology is helping is where we would hardly even look: in ambulances. New technology has brought ambulances from simple people carriers to full on, traffic skirting, mobile life saving devices.

Life Saving Equipment

Modern ambulances have most of the things that can save your life in an emergency. A lot of the equipment has mobile and fixed units, so paramedics can bring stuff with them, stabilize a person on the scene, and bring them back to the van. Having your community’s ambulances in good repair and at peak performance is essential to the health of each resident, and the community as a whole. Ambulances and their crews are like a first response team for whenever somebody is seriously injured. If they can get around fast, reliably, and with the equipment they need, then they will be able to save that many more lives, and keep the community together.

There is a ton of different equipment. There are suction devices to clear blocked airways, oxygen tanks, defibrillators, all manner of life saving drugs, and even a pacemaker! In addition to all of that, they carry various immobilization devices, which sound more sinister than they really are. In reality they are there to make sure that patients can’t injure themselves trying to move, or get further hurt from the movements of the ambulance.

Vehicle Design

But what a modern ambulance carries is only half of the good stuff. New models come equipped with excellent anti-lock brakes, large V8 engines with lots of torque for quick acceleration and a high carrying capacity, tires that can handle a lot of weight and a lot of G forces, and all manner of other cool tech. They are constantly being redesigned, making the sirens more noticeable, the cabs more comfortable, and the vehicle just better overall.

It’s a good thing, too. Ambulance drivers have a tough job. Getting from place to place in a hurry can be tough by itself, but throw in that a life is on the line, that you have to run red lights and break traffic laws, and are responsible for the lives of your coworkers, and it gets stressful—and that isn’t even considering taking an injured person back to the hospital. Every second counts, so it’s essential to have an ambulance in good repair and performing as best it can.

Lewis Nelson blogs frequently about traveling, cars, and racing and covers specifics such as leather seats and Moto Metal Wheels amongst other automotive topics.

Tagged : ambulances / medical equipment

Reducing Stress Series – Buying a New Car

by JustinApril 9, 2013January 7, 2014AutomotiveLeave a Comment

When you are new to the car buying market it pays to use a beginner’s guide in order to get the most car or truck for your budget. Whether you are out of school with your first job or just leaving home to embark into the world on your own, no doubt about it, the financial world is a little scary.

Of course, your primary objective is to provide yourself with reliable transportation. While it sounds simple, achieving this is not as easy at you may think.

1. Do Your Research
Take a look at car manuals, magazines,books and search online to get a feel for prices and styles of vehicles. There are a lot of cars out there and twice as many dealerships; small and large. If you have your eyes on a gas drinker ask yourself if you can afford to supply gas for a gas drinking monster. Look at your budget realistically before leaping into debt.

2. Think About Your Financial State Ahead of Time
Most people want to talk about the car. First, decide where you are going to get the money to make this purchase. How much are you willing to pay for the privilege of borrowing it? A cash payment would be fantastic, and there would be no reason to worry about a credit score or finding a lender. Check to make sure your credit score is over 600. Keep in mind the more lenders you visit, the lower your score will go. If you have no credit wait a while, purchase an item you want to buy, on credit; pay for it on time, then return to the car buying market.

3. Be Leery of All Deals at First
Buying a car is moving around in shark infested water. There are good deals and reputable dealers with top interest rates. But, there are the sharks who will sell you a lemon and have you in years of terrible debt with ridiculous interest rates. Search for money from a source you choose. The payments will be better and interest rates will be lower. This will help you work with a budget while you are car shopping. Consider how much money you want to spend. While you are thinking of buying a car you will still need to eat, buy food, buy gas, and pay another bunch of living expenses. There is little point in having a new car when you find yourself sleeping in it. Think about what kind of car you want and if the price and payment options are good for you. At least $1600 in earnings is required and a six month working history. Time and financial diligence will get you what you want.

Emily is the proud owner of a used Honda Civic and she also is a contributing writer for CashForTrucks, a company that helps people learn how to receive cash for cars and also how to sell you car so that you can buy a new (or at least new to you) vehicle!

5 Hollywood Truckers That May Inspire You to Get a CDL

by JustinMarch 15, 2011August 7, 2013AutomotiveLeave a Comment

If you are in search of a new career, or experiencing unemployment due to the current state of the economy, you may want to consider a career in trucking. There are several benefits associated with a trucking career, like traveling the country and meeting new people, as well as taking in lots of beautiful new sights. And while we make no promises, you could even land that highly sought after acting job as a result, which is what actor Sean Connery was able to do early in his career.

Yes, Sir Sean Connery of James Bond fame, landed his very first acting gig because of his ability to drive a rig. But on the serious side even if a Hollywood career doesn’t take off for you, you will make a pretty decent income driving a truck. If you have a pickup truck but have always wanted to go for the glory of the big rig you may want to say to yourself, “though it may be tough I am ready to sell my truck.” But if Hollywood is still on your mind, let’s continue on with the list of five famous truckers…

1. Sean Connery
As mentioned before, Sean Connery started out as a driver for a an over the road milk company in Scotland, and also did some OTR driving for European companies as well.

2. Vitto Morgansen
Vitto Morgansen of ” Lord of the Rings” fame, worked as a trucker, hauling containers at Jersey Ports and drove long distance in his home in Denmark.

3. Elvis Presley
Another well known name on the list, is none other than Elvis Presley, yes Lisa Marie’s father, also known affectionately as “Elvis the Pelvis,” for his groundbreaking dance moves.

4. James Cameron
To further dispel the myth that a career in trucking could possibly lead to nowhere, let me add, James Cameron, the producer and director of the movies “Titanic”, and “Avatar.”

5. Jesse Gregory James
Jesse Gregory James is also added to the list and his credentials include but are not limited to, his TV shows and documentaries, as well as his expertise in assembling and modifying monster vehicles.

So, if you are an adventurous person who can withstand driving for long periods of time, and who doesn’t mind potentially prolonged separations from friends and family, then trucking may be the job for you. Entering into career in trucking with superior skills, such as the ability to repair your vehicle due to an unexpected mishap, will always be a plus. If you have already completed training and received your CDL, then the next step is to research the many trucking companies thoroughly to find one that will suite your needs. One of the best ways to do so is to read reviews regarding individual companies and look into your commercial truck financing. Get ready for a life on the road!

Mark is a contributing writer for TruckertoTrucker.com, a site dedicated to all aspects of the trucking industry from the love of the road, to the practical aspects of trucking.

Tagged : sell my truck

Regular Repairs Make a Happy, Healthy Car

by JustinJuly 20, 2010March 21, 2014AutomotiveLeave a Comment

Keeping your car running well is essential for all the things that are made easier by owning one. Your car probably gets you to work and to friends houses. However, most people neglect their cars most of the time and don’t keep them working regularly. Of course the kind of car you have will determine how you fix some of the common problems and for that you need to get the proper repair manuals, such as a Chevrolet Malibu repair manual if that is the kind of car you drive. Other than the things you will find in there, here are a few things that will help extend the life of your car.

Get the oil changed regularly. This little thing can make a huge difference. It will make the engine run better and it makes the car handle better.

Get it in for regular check ups. Tell them you just want a check up on the car. You haven’t seen anything wrong with it yet, but you are trying to catch anything before it is too late. If you know a little something about cars, or if you are interested in learning, you can grab a Nissan Repair manual with a Auto Repair checklist in it and go over all the possible problems and perform the check up yourself. If you catch stuff before it has gone wrong, you can usually save a lot of money in emergency auto repairs.

Tagged : auto repair checklist