The 2008 Diesel Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) Conference is coming to Dearborn, Michigan.       

The 14th annual DEER Conference is fast approaching.  On August 4th the United States Department of Energy (DOE) is hosting another get together and inviting all the major industrial players. Who's going to be there?
Allison transmissions
BAE systems
Caterpillar
Cummins Engine
Daimler Chrysler
Detroit Diesel Corporation
Eaton
Freightliner
Honeywell International
International Truck and Engine
Mack Trucks
Nova BUS
Oshkosh Trucks
PACCAR
Volvo Trucks North America
and of course another deer that is John Deere.

Some technologies which were discussed in the past conferences include:

e-Turbos: In 2004 Honeywell was working on a turbo/electric motor combination for SUVs and light trucks. These units featured no turbo lag (70% gain in torque between 1000-1500 rpm, >60% total engine efficiency, generator capacity, and  10-30% smaller engines (producing more power than non e-Turbo engines).

Air-Power-Assist Engine: Last year Mack and Volvo teamed up and created a diesel engine with an air tank. The air tank stores compressed air created by the engine during breaking. When acceleration is needed the air goes from the tank into the combustion cylinders.  A 15% fuel economy improvement was the result. 

Variable Compression Ratio Engine: Envera LLC is developing an engine where the crankshaft can be moved up or down in less than a second. The result is 50% better fuel economy and more power from a dramatically smaller engine. 

Diesel Power will be there to fill you in on the latest developments from Michigan. 

Random Question: What would hurt more getting trampled by a herd of deer or a stampede of bulls?