The U.S. economy is the envy of the world, and the key to its success is technological innovation. In this fascinating and in-depth account reported from three continents, Robert Buderi turns the spotlight on corporate research and the management of innovation that is helping drive the economy's robust growth. Here are firsthand communiqués from inside the labs of a reborn IBM, resurgent GE and Lucent, research upstarts Intel and Microsoft, and other leading American firms -- as well as top European and Japanese competitors. It was only a few years ago that competitiveness experts -- U.S. well-wishers and naysayers alike -- concluded that America had lost its business and technological edge. The nation's companies, they asserted, couldn't match the development and manufacturing efficiency of overseas rivals. Yet now the nation is humming along, riding an unparalleled wave of innovation. Buderi tells us this turnaround has come on many fronts -- in marketing, sales, manufacturing, and the creation of start-up companies. But Engines of Tomorrow deals with a central element that has gone largely unexamined: corporate research. It's the research process that provides the technologies that spur growth. Research is behind the renaissance of IBM, the stunning growth of Lucent, and much of the steamrolling American recovery. Focusing on the fast-moving communications-computer-electronics sector, Buderi profiles some of the world's leading thinkers on innovation, talks with top inventors, and describes the exciting technologies coming down the pike -- from information appliances to electronic security and quantum computing. In the process, he examines the vital strategic issues in which central labs play a determining role, including: How IBM's eight labs around the world figure in Lou Gerstner's plans to achieve consistent double-digit growth -- and to join GE as a $100 billion concern. Why Xerox's famed Palo Alto Research Center is vying to resuscitate its company's lagging fortunes by sending anthropologists into the field to study the hidden ways people really work. What Hewlett-Packard will do without its original instrument business, recently spun off as Agilent Technologies. The business was central to HP Labs' MC2 philosophy of merging research expertise in measurement, computation, and communication -- and its departure removed a lot that was unique about HP. How the November 1999 federal court finding that Microsoft operates a monopoly hinders the Seattle giant's acquisition plans and makes it increasingly vital for nine-year-old Microsoft Research to lead the way in innovating from within. Could this be the next great lab for the twenty-first century? With authority and undaunted optimism about the underlying vitality of the research process, Buderi discusses these issues and reveals the future of some of the world's best and most powerful companies.

Describes the structure and life cycle of the wildflower known as the jack-in-the-pulpit.

This book describes in extensive detail the new technologies that are currently in use or under development, which are designed to provide high-quality fuels and ensure their optimal use in the engines used to power automobiles, trucks, aircraft, and ships. All types of fuels are covered: gasolines, diesel fuels, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, biofuels, jet fuels, heavy fuels, and fuels for special uses. The evaluation criteria include vehicle performance and driveability, reduction in fossil fuel consumption, and environmental protection. The specific situations encountered in each region of the world (including the United States, Europe, Japan and the developing countries) are analyzed and compared, with a focus on energy, economics and politics. This book is a scientific work, yet easy to read; it is objective, yet actively involved. It is thus an excellent reference work for those seeking pertinent, reliable and comprehensive information on the the subject of fuels and engines.Volume 1Contents: 1. Physical properties and chemical characteristics of fuels. 2. Refining technologies. 3. Gasoline. 4. Diesel fuelVolume 2Contents: 5. Fuels, fuel consumption and environmental protection. 6. Alternatice fuels. 7. Special Fuels. 8. The Fuels and engines of tomorrow.

Artificial Intelligence and Data Driven Optimization of Internal Combustion Engines summarizes recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) and data driven optimization and calibration techniques for internal combustion engines. The book covers AI/ML and data driven methods to optimize fuel formulations and engine combustion systems, predict cycle to cycle variations, and optimize after-treatment systems and experimental engine calibration. It contains all the details of the latest optimization techniques along with their application to ICE, making it ideal for automotive engineers, mechanical engineers, OEMs and R&D centers involved in engine design. - Provides AI/ML and data driven optimization techniques in combination with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to optimize engine combustion systems - Features a comprehensive overview of how AI/ML techniques are used in conjunction with simulations and experiments - Discusses data driven optimization techniques for fuel formulations and vehicle control calibration

In October 1975, while the United States was still acutely feeling the aftermath of the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo, the General Motors Research Laboratories held its nineteenth annual symposium. The proceedings of this timely symposium on "Future Automotive Fuels - Prospects, Performance, and Perspective" are reported in this book. We hope that it will serve not only as a permanent record of the papers and discussions, but also as a stimulus and inspiration for ideas, research, and development in the vital field of automotive fuels. The economy of the United States and the lifestyle of her people are woven together with energy into a unique fabric. Reducing the energy content of this fabric weakens it and can even destroy it. The Oil Embargo stunningly demonstrated how easy it is to attack this fabric, and exposed for all to see its greatest weaknes- reliance on imported petroleum. Since petroleum is the only current source of automotive fuels, and cars and trucks consume about 43 percent of the petroleum used in the United States, the Oil Embargo had its most profound and dramatic on automotive transportation: First there were long lines at service stations, impact and then idle lines in car assembly plants and long lines at unemployment offices. Against this grim setting, we planned the symposium on automotive fuels for the future.

This book explores the potential of hydrogen combustion in thermal engines and serves as a foundation for future research. Hydrogen, a well-established energy carrier, has been used in internal combustion engines for centuries, but despite progress and industry interest, hydrogen engines have yet to reach mass production. In light of recent efforts to combat climate change with clean energy and environmentally-friendly technologies, the use of hydrogen in thermal engines is gaining momentum. This book examines the unique challenges of hydrogen combustion due to its wide flammability limits, high auto-ignition temperature, and high diffusivity. It reviews current knowledge on the fundamental and practical aspects of hydrogen combustion and considers current developments and potential future advancement.

Discusses the present internal combustion engine and surveys the research now being done to produce an engine that will not be as much of a pollutant.