Auto Repair Tempe

Yes, you heard that right...the two companies are looking into using tomato fibers for making automobile parts! They're testing the durability of this idea in relation to car wiring brackets and storage containers. Something like this is obviously very bio-friendly, as it employs tomato skins. "We're exploring whether this food processing byproduct makes sense for an automotive application," said Ellen Lee, plastics research technical specialist for Ford. "Our goal is to develop a strong, lightweight material that meets our vehicle requirements, while at the same time reducing our overall environmental impact." "We are delighted that the technology has been validated," said Vidhu Nagpal, a Heinz packaging director. "Although we are in the very early stages, and many questions remain, we are excited about the possibilities this could produce and the advancement of sustainable 100% plant-based plastics." This is the first time the auto industry and plants have crossed paths ... read more

Drivers falling asleep at the wheel present serious dangers not only to themselves but everyone else on the road with them at the time. Nottingham Trent University has a team of researchers currently working on a clever new solution to eliminate this all too common dangerous situation. They're approach is using electronic sensors in the driver's seat back, which monitors the driver's heart rate. When a dangerous pattern is detected it can automatically warn the driver. One of the most unique aspects of their proposed system is that the sensors would not be external on the seat. They would actually be part of the seat fabric itself. Once a dangerous situation is identified a warning is presented to the driver and it's recommended they pull off of the road. It can even be programmed to react if the driver doesn't heed the warning. For instance, it could take control by engaging the cruise control and lane departure systems to automatically take the car to safety. As more sma ... read more

No doubt there's been a few times you've looked under the hood of your car to discover all the road grime and collected grease. While it's easier to close the hood and pretend you never saw the mess to begin with, others may want to make the engine bay as clean as possible, whether it's for personal reasons or they want to make it more appealing to potential buyers. So what do you do? The engine bay is a complicated mess of engineering and electrical components that would have most consumers running away with their tails tucked between their legs. But cleaning the engine bay doesn't have to be complicated or even scary. In fact, you don't even need that much time or tools to begin this seemingly scary project. Let's get started! Supplies You'll Need: A degreaser. Doesn't have to be a specialized engine degreaser. In fact, you can stop by your local Walmart and pick up the ever popular "Purple Power" sold in commercial sized jugs. No, it won't cost you a fortune either. A ... read more