3D Printed Cars

3D Printed Cars

By Dr Peter Harrop, Chairman, IDTechEx

 

At the start, there was no generic name. The simple glass of the car windshield started to incorporate printed antennas and heaters. It was what we now know as "structural electronics" - one structure performing mechanical, electrical and other functions. The dumb material is no longer needed.

 

Fast forward to 2015 and the world's first car with the load-bearing structure and body being integrally 3D printed is the Strati. It has been developed by US start up Local Motors. In 2014, the company undertook a challenge to build a 3D car live on the internet. In late 2015, the first street legal versions are expected to be delivered to customers.

 

Clearly future models could benefit from the structural supercapacitor bodywork for cars being developed by Imperial College London, Volvo Geely of China, Vanderbilt University in the USA and Queensland University of Technology in Australia. It could use load-bearing supercapacitor printed circuit boards from Cambridge University in the UK and in-mold control and lighting electronics from T-Ink in the USA and others.

 

No moving parts to go wrong; just weather and impact-proof intelligent structures. Little or no dumb bodywork anymore, whether it is a car, truck, boat or a plane. Many structural electronics capabilities will converge in the lighter, more affordable, more capable vehicle of the future. For example, buses are already losing their "ladder chassis" and becoming "integral" often with in-wheel motors in electric versions, on the way to being complemented with structural electronic bodywork. See the IDTechEx reports, "Structural Electronics 2015-2025" www.idtechex.com/structural and "Electric Buses 2015-2025" www.idtechex.com/evbuses for more.

 

Meanwhile, the Strati is made from 212 layers of ABS plastic reinforced with carbon fibre. The printing process currently takes 44 hours, but the company should get it down to 24 hours. Some of the electrical and electronic parts will be printed into the car as it is built up by the 3D printing process. Components such as the battery, motor and wiring that cannot yet be printed currently come from a Renault Twizy electric microEV.

 

Instead of vehicles manufactured in a huge central factory, Local Motors plans 100 microfactories in the next 10 years. Your garage perhaps?

 

夕陽紅站三月七日推出“四季情韻”

劍橋中國文化中心夕陽紅活動站將於三月七日（週六）下午二至四點，在波士頓華埠的昆士小學禮堂，舉辦“四季情韻”演出會，慶祝羊年新春。

            夕陽紅活動站會長方慧表示，該會成立於2001年3月。十多年來，他們不僅把大波士頓地區的許多華裔長者，聯絡，組織了起來，還開展了各項有益於老年人身心健康的活動，開辦了專項學習班，也聚集出一批有才藝的人，排練文藝節目，自娛自樂之餘，還在節假日期間，到各地社區演出，既弘揚中華文化，也增進中美人民友誼。

            為壯大演出陣容，當天除了夕陽紅活動站本身的表演，他們還特別邀請了波士頓地區具專業水平的藝術精英和負盛名的文藝團隊，聯袂登台，以《四季情韻》為名，推出一場精彩表演。

            表演場地已訂在波士頓華埠的昆市小學禮堂（885 Washington St. Boston, MA 02111），演出門票$10元/張，非會員老人$5元/張。會員免費。支票抬頭：Cambridge Center for Chinese Culture (夕陽紅) 可簡寫為： CCCC (夕陽紅)。購票可洽趙蔚蘭，617-682-2521 yefamily@gmail.com。

關麗莎這方龍岡親義公所迎新春 讀祖訓 談忠義

紐英崙龍岡親義公所的雙胞案法律訴訟，目前仍在法院審理中。堅持不下的兩方，去年已分別辦理選舉，今年再繼續各辦各的春宴。二月廿一日晚，關麗莎這方的龍岡，在帝苑大酒樓先迎羊年。

            關麗莎這方的紐英崙龍岡親義公所去年底在兩名元老趙羨藻，張國華，顧問劉承德，張國深，趙英才等人出席見證中辦理了選舉。原任主席劉碧枝升任監察長，關麗莎接掌主席，趙啟超副主席，中文書記趙珍慈，英文書記張錦龍，財政劉素嬋，康樂關榮康，公關關醒棠，和樹趙暢棠，總務劉成佐。

            二月廿二日晚，關麗莎表示，包括僑團，宗親，朋友，約有三十九桌人出席支持，讓他們感謝，感激。

            慶祝會由洪清體育會的祥獅獻瑞拉開序幕，元老，主席等人恭讀“勉之，勉之，勿以惡小而為之，勿以善小而不為，惟德惟賢，可以服人”的組訓。

            當晚道賀嘉賓，包括紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦，麻州眾議員黃子安，劍橋市議員張禮能，波士頓市議員吳弭，經文處副處長陳銘俊，波士頓僑務委員馬滌凡等人。經文處處長賴銘琪，波士頓僑教中心主任郭大文，因須趕場，打了招呼。

            出人意料之外的一名嘉賓是應邀到會的孫必發。關麗莎表示，龍岡元老趙羨藻透露，孫必發是國父孫中山哥哥的孫子，目前住在麻州牛頓市。

            關麗莎指出，紐約龍岡親義公所原訂有九人代表團來賀，但廿一日晚風雪威脅太大，改由公所秘書長趙大偉夫婦代表致賀。

            關麗莎當晚致詞時回顧世界龍岡親義公所成立於1962年的歷史，指出劉關張趙四姓合組公所，就為追隨這四姓的當年桃園結義，講究忠義仁勇精神，其後世界龍岡親義公所還選定四月四日為世界龍岡日，也為寓意四海一家，四姓宗親無論在天涯海角哪一方，都要互助扶持。1970年代，龍岡公所還敦請了本地宗親張秀眉姨丈戚關照祺，創作龍岡之歌。香港的龍岡公所也在這時期開辦了多所中學，小學，作育英才，令人為身為龍崗子弟感到驕傲。

            紐英崙本地的龍岡，也有辭世元老張金泉創作的會歌。

            關麗莎這方的紐英崙龍岡親義公所計劃今年十月到台灣，參加三年一次的世界龍岡懇親大會。

            至於龍岡親義公所的雙胞案法律訴訟，目前已跨入聽證期，估計必須在2016年五月前進入審訊，否則又將重來一次訴訟。

圖片說明：

            紐英崙龍岡親義公所幹部與嘉賓合影。（圖由紐英崙龍岡親義公所提供）

左起，紐英崙龍岡親義公所主席關麗莎，顧問劉承德，元老趙羡藻，經文處副處長陳銘俊，孫必發，以及當晚司儀，劉真明，劉碧枝，趙娟，趙珍慈。（圖由紐英崙龍岡親義公所提供）

梁氏宗親會慶新春 每桌十樣禮品

紐英崙梁氏宗親會二月廿二日晚在喜臨門大酒樓席開四十餘桌，以每桌都有十份禮物的隆重，與宗親，僑社同慶羊年新春。

            紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦，中國駐紐約總領事館僑務組長馬翠宏，麻州眾議員黃子安，麥家威，薩福克郡治安官湯普金斯（Steven W. Tompkins），波士頓市議員米高法拉提（Michael Flaherty）等嘉賓當晚到賀，送上祝福。

            梁氏宗親會主席梁添光開心表示，今年的農曆新春慶祝是節目好，食品多，人情味豐富，出席者個個賓至如歸，歡喜非常。他感謝僑社對梁氏宗親的支持，指出大波士頓大雪頻仍，出門不易，但廿二日這天，氣溫回暖，雪也停了，有如“天助我也”。

            梁添光現年已三十歲的孫女梁宇儀，當晚再度出任中文司儀。梁添光表示，要求孫女做司儀，以中文主持儀式，是為強調栽培下一代。看著已進業界擔任工程師的孫女能說流利中文，他非常高興。

            當晚的表演節目，由梁氏另一名主席梁小玲統籌，不但安排有胡清白鶴派舞獅，採青，獻瑞，她和劉莉，陳飛，曾兆漢新近成立的風鈴組合還演唱多首歌曲，另有符鈺釗彈古箏，李照原獨唱，鄉土舞蹈團跳舞。去年九月接任中華僑立學校校長的劉紅，朗誦毛澤東詩詞，卜算子中的“咏梅”。

當天的出席者中，例如來自新疆的陝西富平人師子軒，有些人是最近這兩年才來波士頓的新僑，更多人是在大波士頓已居住廿，三十年的老僑，聽到這首毛澤東的“詠梅”詩，“風雪送春歸，飛雪迎春到，已是懸崖百丈冰，猶有花枝俏。俏也不爭春，只把春來報，待到山花爛漫時，她在叢中笑，感受各不相同。

            梁添光的兒子，藝美印社總經理梁衛民指出，在大波士頓僑團支持下，該會當晚每桌送上十份禮品，包括興盛/桃園餅家餅券，美東燒臘禮券，囍臨門餐券，梁添光主席捐出的金羊一只，梁小玲主席捐的全家福禮糖，梁衛民捐的紅酒一枝，梁氏地產捐的一桶金，金花生，金元寶，賀年禮餅，另外還有小桃園餐踢捐出的餐券一百元，分成五十元兩張，是當晚的特別獎。

            梁氏宗親中，也有不少生意人。開辦風華巴士公司的梁慶琦，梁沛霖兩父子，當晚很高興的和同桌友人分享好消息，風華巴士已獲官方批准，一旦覓得適當的停車場地，聘得足夠人數的司機後，將重新開業。

            梁氏宗親會設址於波士頓華埠的6 Johnny Court, Boston MA 02111。

圖片說明：

            梁氏宗親會成員與嘉賓合影。（黃定國攝）

            梁氏宗親會主席梁添光邀嘉賓一起發紅包給瑞獅。（黃定國攝）

            右起，曾兆漢，劉莉，梁小玲，陳飛的風鈴組合演唱。（菊子攝）

            都曾擔任梁氏宗親會主席的梁慶琦（左），梁沛霖（右）父子，高興透露，風華巴士就要復業了。（菊子攝）

            梁氏宗親會主席梁添光在台上發禮品，引得出席者興高采烈的要上台領獎。（菊子攝）

Baker-Polito Administration Names Washington, D.C. Director

Baker-Polito Administration Names Washington, D.C. Director

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced Tiffany Watkins Ahern as the Director of the Governor’s Washington, D.C. Office.

“We are very pleased to welcome Tiffany into the administration,” said Ryan Coleman, legislative director. “She brings a wealth of experience both at the federal and state level, and I know that she will be a great addition to the Governor’s staff.”

“I’m proud to join Governor Baker’s team in Washington to keep a pulse on federal and congressional initiatives that support this administration’s agenda to make Massachusetts a better place to work, live and go to school for families across the Commonwealth,” said Tiffany Watkins Ahern.

About Tiffany Watkins Ahern:

Tiffany Watkins Ahern was the Northeast Regional Political Director for the Republican National Committee. Prior to that, she served as Director of Government Affairs for the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. She has previously held positions with Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate, Orr Associates, the U.S. Department of Education, Jim Talent for U.S. Senate, the Bush-Cheney Re-Election Campaign, the White House Office of Public Liaison, and Merrill Lynch.  Tiffany graduated with a BA in History from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an avid runner and has participated in more than 20 events that benefit charities.

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES REVISED JOINDER AGREEMENT FOR BOSTON'S OLYMPIC BID

MAYOR WALSH RELEASES REVISED JOINDER AGREEMENT FOR BOSTON'S OLYMPIC BID

BOSTON - February 24, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today a critical revision to the Joinder Agreement between the City of Boston and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) that removes any language that had the potential to discourage city employees from speaking openly regarding Boston's bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games. The original agreement contained boilerplate language that all cities have historically signed regarding city employees and their participation in the Olympic process. 

"This revised agreement is the result of positive negotiations with the United States Olympic Committee to reach a consensus that accurately represents how Boston is moving forward with our Olympic bid," Mayor Walsh said. "I want to thank those who have already offered their thoughts on Boston's bid and I continue to encourage all residents, including city employees, to share their opinions over the coming months. My top priority is to ensure an open and transparent process, and it is important that any proposal is shaped by the input and ideas of people from every neighborhood in order to offer the greatest benefit to our city."

"Today's announcement is indicative of the true spirit of partnership and cooperation among the City of Boston, the USOC, and Boston 2024 in advancing the shared goal of bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Boston," Boston 2024 Chief Executive Officer Rich Davey said. "Boston 2024 applauds Mayor Walsh and the USOC for signing this new agreement and we believe it will strengthen Boston’s efforts to work with communities to build a stronger Olympic bid and a lasting legacy for the Commonwealth."

The next citywide Olympic discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Condon School Cafeteria in South Boston. Additional citywide meetings include:

• March 31, 6:30 p.m. - Harvard Business School 
• April 28, 6:30 p.m. - Roxbury Community College
• May 19, 6:30 p.m. - Cleveland Community Center
• June 30, 6:30 p.m. - English High School
• July 28, 6:30 p.m. - Mildred School
• August 25, 6:30 p.m. - Ohrenberger School
• September 29, 6:30 p.m. – East Boston High School

To be included on future updates on Boston's bid, please text your e-mail address to 617-431-4100. Any questions can be e-mailed to Olympics@boston.gov.

The revised Joinder Agreement is attached. 

MassDOT Encourages Drivers to Report Potholes: Call 857-DOT-INFO

MassDOT Encourages Drivers to Report Potholes: Call 857-DOT-INFO

BOSTON- Tuesday, February 24, 2015- For a second year, MassDOT is enlisting the public’s help this winter season in reporting pothole locations on state roads, allowing repairs to be made as quickly as possible.

To report a pothole, drivers are encouraged to call MassDOT’s Pothole Hotline at 857-DOT-INFO (857-368-4636). 

Potholes are formed by the freeze-thaw cycle, where water seeps into cracks, freezes and expands, and increases the size of the crack, until they become potholes.  While the incidence of potholes tends to increase in the spring, the recent fluctuation in temperatures has led to the formation of more potholes around the state.

“While the winter is not yet over, we want to make a proactive effort to reach out to drivers and ask them for their help,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Frank DePaola.  “While we have crews out routinely patching potholes, we were able to expedite the scheduling of repairs with the public’s assistance.” 

Crews make two types of repairs depending on temperature and road conditions.  A temporary "cold patch" is used at lower temperatures during winter; hot mix asphalt is applied at higher temperatures as a long-term fix.

MassDOT works closely with public safety officials and city and town officials to monitor potholes and also appreciates reports from drivers.

When reporting a pothole, it is helpful to be as precise as possible in providing the location along the state highway.  In addition to calling 857-DOT-INFO, pot holes can also be reported by calling Toll Free at 877-MA-DOT-GOV (877-623-6846), or visit our online contact information web page to send us an e-mail.  

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES SECOND HUBHACKS EVENT

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES SECOND HUBHACKS EVENT

BOSTON - February 24, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today the City of Boston will hold the second HubHacks event on Saturday, March 14, 2015, inviting the community to work together to create data visualizations that will track the City's progress in achieving a thriving, healthy and innovative Boston. The challenge will conclude on April 4, 2015. 

The first HubHacks event, held in August 2014, focused on improving the City's online permitting experience and resulted in the launch of the innovative tool Permit Finder.

“Across Boston, government, private companies, and civic organizations are generating enormous amounts of data on what is happening in the city,” Mayor Walsh said. “I want to tap Boston’s creative talent to create workable tools that help guide City policy and operation toward a thriving, healthy and innovative city.”

Participants, including technologists, visualization enthusiasts, policy thinkers and community members, will join into teams to create insightful tools that help monitor progress toward the City's goals using data sets from the City and other partners. The City will release several new data sets through the Open Data Portal to help aid participants in their efforts.

The winning participant will have their work incorporated directly into the Mayor's Data Dashboard and featured throughout City Hall and online. 

“HubHacks will bring technologists, engaged citizens, and our creative community together in partnership with the City of Boston, and we are excited to offer them data they have never had access to before such as entertainment permits, emergency information and historical parking data.” Chief Information Officer Jascha Franklin-Hodge said. “Data visualization is a powerful tool to tell our shared story, and this event will help tap the talent and perspective of many parts of our community.”

Full details of the event, including registration instructions, can be found at http://www.cityofboston.gov/hubhacks andhttp://bit.ly/HubHacks2. Updates on prizes, submissions and the data sets will be provided through City social media profiles and the Challenge Post website. Register and follow @doitboston on Twitter for the most up-to-date information.