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Horse Powertrain Desires To Hybridize Your Electrical Automotive

Green Technology

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21 April 2025

Horse Powertrain Desires To Hybridize Your Electrical Automotive

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Are you sitting down, CleanTechnica readers? The supposed slowdown within the EV revolution has already brought about many producers to reassess their electrical automotive technique and take into consideration constructing plug-in hybrids as a substitute. Now a brand new firm known as Horse Powertrain is touting a whole PHEV retrofit bundle it says is a drop-in alternative for front-wheel-drive EVs.

You may assume Horse Powertrain is a one-car-garage startup, however in actual fact it’s a collaboration between Renault, Geely, and Aramco that calls itself “an unbiased new powertrain options enterprise with over 125 years of heritage from Renault and Geely.” It claims to have “a effectively established international manufacturing footprint with 17 crops and 5 R&D facilities on 3 continents.” The corporate’s Future Hybrid Idea might be on show at Auto Shanghai, which takes place between April 23 and Might 2, 2025.

Horse claims that its future hybrid system will permit producers to construct an EV and a hybrid on the identical meeting line, which can cut back complexity considerably. The unit bolts on to the automobile’s subframe and minimal modifications are required to make it work with the prevailing electrical structure. After all, there are a couple of different items wanted to finish the method, like a gasoline tank and an exhaust system. Hmmm … maybe Elon Musk is perhaps a candidate for this new know-how, which guarantees the interior combustion engine can run on something that can burn, from gasoline and diesel, to biofuels and artificial fuels.

The powertrain can work as a spread extender for the high-voltage battery already in an electrical automotive, whereas the built-in transmission can work by itself, offering energy to the entrance wheels, or along with the electrically powered rear axle for an all-wheel-drive configuration. Mounted crosswise within the entrance engine compartment, the built-in energy unit comes with all the required energy electronics techniques wanted for a hybrid powertrain, together with a controller, inverter, DC-to-DC converter, and onboard charger.

InsideEVs speculates that automobiles just like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Porsche Taycan could possibly be retrofitted with Horse Future Hybrid system. Though, why anybody would wish to bastardize a wonderfully advantageous electrical automotive is just about a thriller. Nevertheless, smaller automakers with restricted sources might flip to Horse Powertrain for help in remodeling their upcoming inexpensive electrical automobiles into hybrids, presumably to calm the jitters of first time EV drivers who fear they may should cease each 300 miles to cost their batteries.

“Horse Powertrain is concentrated on fixing the most important issues dealing with automotive OEMs,” mentioned Matias Giannini, the corporate’s CEO. “For over a decade, it appeared like battery electrical autos had been the one path to web zero, and OEMs deliberate accordingly. Nevertheless, we’re now shifting in direction of a technology-neutral world, with totally different markets and functions every pursuing their very own sustainable mobility journey.”

“Our Future Hybrid Idea helps OEMs remedy this downside. By way of our innovation, we are able to ship a full hybrid powertrain system that seamlessly integrates onto a battery electrical automobile platform. This compact, built-in powertrain idea permits OEMs to supply powertrain range with minimal disruption to the manufacturing course of and useful resource expenditure,” he mentioned. The Horse Powertrain drop-in hybrid system is anticipated to start out being fitted to manufacturing autos in 2028. The cynics amongst us assume by then the demand for plug-in hybrids might be falling as enhancements to public dealing with Stage 2 and Stage 3 charger infrastructure happen.

All Issues To All Folks

In a press launch, Renault and Geely mentioned they consider a mixture of varied powertrain applied sciences is critical, together with extremely environment friendly inside combustion engines, decrease carbon e-fuels, and hydrogen, to attain a profitable decarbonization in a world the place greater than half of autos produced are anticipated to nonetheless depend on combustion engines by 2040. Horse Powertrain sees itself as a brand new participant that can disrupt the sport and pave the best way for ultra-low emission hybrid and combustion applied sciences.

The corporate will design, develop, produce, and promote hybrid and combustion powertrains with cutting-edge applied sciences, together with engines, transmissions, hybrid techniques, and batteries. Each Renault and Geely anticipate to profit from an instantaneous scale impact and elevated market penetration. Supported by the switch of mental property (IP) from Renault Group and Geely, Horse Powertrain is creating future powertrain applied sciences that tackle all buyer expectations, significantly within the area of different fuels comparable to inexperienced methanol, ethanol, and hydrogen. The corporate’s product portfolio and regional footprint might provide options for 80 % of the rising international hybrid and combustion powertrain market.

Horse Powertrain will provide a number of industrial clients — together with Renault Group, Geely Auto, Volvo Automobiles, Proton, Nissan, and Mitsubishi. The corporate is able to interact with clients and companions world wide to assist them with end-to-end options in powertrain applied sciences and welcome companions who will additional strengthen the worth chain. “We consider there is no such thing as a one measurement suits all resolution to sustainable mobility, so we’re investing in new applied sciences which can assist the automotive trade and different sectors requiring energy era, of their transition to a extra sustainable future,” says Patrice Haettel, CEO of Horse Powertrain.

Horse Powertrain Marine Division

Horse Powertrain is about greater than plug-in hybrids. It’s also ready to provide conventional delicate hybrid powertrains together with each handbook and automated transmissions. It has solid a partnership with Brazil’s Hybdor to create the world’s first flex-fuel marine PHEV for Class 2 vessels between 26 and 40 toes in size. It will likely be one of many world’s first industrial marine engines able to operating on ethanol gas.

The Hybdor Duotech 200E makes use of a pioneering plug-in hybrid powertrain designed to be used in yachts. Horse Powertrain will provide its 1.3-liter 4 cylinder Turbo Flex Gasoline HR13 engine. Like PHEV powertrains for land autos, the Hybdor Duotech 200E might be able to working in each pure combustion and pure electrical modes. It would additionally characteristic a “increase” mode that mixes each combustion and electrical energy to supply elevated steady energy. The powertrain’s battery can be charged whereas transferring in combustion mode, together with being charged by plugging into an influence outlet. When plugged in, the PHEV could be absolutely charged in simply 90 minutes.

Produced domestically on the Horse Powertrain manufacturing facility in Curitiba, HR13 can ship peak energy of 163 PS (160 hp) and a most of 250 Nm of torque at 1,600 rpm. The electrical motor will add one other 25 PS (34 hp) peak energy and 60 Nm of most torque. The engine is optimized to run on gasoline and ethanol flex fuels which are normal within the Brazilian market. This makes it one of many world’s first industrial marine powertrains designed to function with flex fuels whereas additionally supporting pure-ethanol combustion.

There is no such thing as a doubt that Horse Powertrain has all of the bases lined. No matter an organization’s wants are for powertrains, Horse has an answer out there. There definitely is a window of alternative right here for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and flex-fuel powertrains. The one query is, how lengthy will that window stay open?

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Comau to amass warehousing automation agency Automha in strategic enlargement

Robotics

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21 April 2025

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Comau to amass warehousing automation agency Automha in strategic enlargement

Automha manufactures quite a lot of warehouse automation gear. | Credit score: Automha

Italian robotics producer Comau has introduced a binding settlement to amass Automha, an Italian firm specializing in warehousing and intralogistics automation. Automha is presently owned by Trasma. The acquisition alerts a major transfer for Comau into the rising logistics sector and reinforces its dedication to its Italian roots.

Comau expects to shut the transaction within the second quarter of 2025, however it’s topic to customary regulatory approvals. Beneath the phrases of the settlement, the firm will purchase 100% of Automha’s shares. This strategic acquisition is anticipated to unlock new avenues for progress inside the increasing warehousing and logistics market, additional solidifying the creation of an Italian industrial automation hub poised for innovation and world competitiveness.

“Increasing our attain, know-how and know-how portfolio by the acquisition of revolutionary corporations equivalent to Automha is an important step in Comau’s progress technique, as outlined once we grew to become a stand-alone firm and carried out instantly after the closing part,” mentioned Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Comau. “Along with capitalizing on the sturdy progress potential of warehousing and intralogistics markets, the combination of Automha inside Comau will enable us to leverage our mixed experience and sources, to speed up innovation and progress throughout a variety of worldwide industrial sectors.”

Comau has emphasised that Automha will keep its present operational construction, administration staff, and strategic path, underscoring a dedication to its individuals, high quality, and innovation. Franco Togni will proceed to function the firm‘s CEO. Moreover, Gianni Togni and Roberta Togni will retain their present roles and also will be a part of Comau’s Govt Committee, contributing their experience to the longer term growth of each entities.

“In Comau, we’ve got discovered a accomplice who shares our values of high quality, innovation, and dedication to buyer success,” added Togni. “This new chapter represents not solely a second of progress for Automha but additionally a continuation of the journey that started in 1979. I stay up for the longer term that lies forward, realizing that along with Comau, we’ll proceed to construct excellence, increase our world affect and to succeed in a correct dimension to maintain a number one place in a market that’s rising competitiveness and mission dimensions.”

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This acquisition aligns with Comau’s broader strategic imaginative and prescient following a latest shift in its shareholder construction, which noticed One Fairness Companions, a world personal fairness agency, purchase a majority stake, enabling Comau to function as a standalone firm. The transfer to amass Automha underscores Comau’s dedication to strengthening its Italian operations and enhancing its world choices and worldwide presence.

For Automha, the acquisition presents a possibility for scale-up and additional enterprise growth by leveraging Comau’s in depth geographical attain and inside technological capabilities. The complementary nature of each corporations is anticipated to foster a stronger mutual portfolio of tasks, creating synergistic advantages for each organizations. This strategic alignment positions the mixed entity for enhanced innovation and a extra aggressive stance within the world automation panorama.

“Once we invested in Comau, we noticed a transparent path ahead to assist the corporate increase strategically and achieve scale. M&A is a major driver for this, and we recognized warehouse, logistics and dealing with automation techniques as a major alternative for this enterprise,” mentioned Ante Kusurin, Associate at One Fairness Companions. “The acquisition of Automha is a transfer towards diversification of Comau’s operations and additional faucets the corporate into industrial automation tendencies bettering productiveness throughout many industries. We’re excited for the chance forward of us as these two complementary corporations be a part of forces.”

ios – Share Extension to open containing app

iOS Development

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21 April 2025

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How a Share Extension Opens Its Host App

The query is how a share extension, launched from a share sheet in a “international” app, i.e. an app that’s not the extension host app, could be made to summon its host app to the entrance.

The quick reply is that it might’t. That is not what a share extension is for. Nonetheless, many apps do the truth is have share extensions that do that; and the query is: how do they do it?

So let’s begin with a disclaimer: don’t really do what I am about to explain! It is unlawful and Apple does not need you to do it.

Half One: The Invisible Share Extension

The primary drawback is {that a} share extension has an interface, which goes to be introduced within the “international” app the place the share sheet launches the share extension. However we do not need this to occur, as a result of our share extension goes to modify to the host app as a substitute; the interface the consumer will see just isn’t a mere view controller’s view in entrance of the “international” app, however the precise host app.

The key to fixing this drawback is to acknowledge that, though we can not stop the share extension from presenting an interface, we can make that interface invisible. There are two components to doing this:

First, make the share extension’s interface consist solely of a view controller with a transparent, empty view. That approach, when the view is introduced in entrance of the share sheet within the “international” app, it will likely be invisible.
Second, within the share extension’s Information.plist, within the NSExtensionAttributes dictionary, add the NSExtensionActionWantsFullScreenPresentation key and set its worth, a Boolean, to YES. That approach, when the invisible view is introduced in entrance of the share sheet, the “international” app displaying the share sheet will not “shrink” to accomodate the introduced view as a “sheet”; the presentation can be .fullScreen and so the “international” app will stay full sized.

Half Two: The Customized Scheme

Our extension goes to run inside a “international” app, successfully as if it had been a part of the “international” app. How can a “international” app summon our app to the entrance? One answer is that our app can have a customized URL scheme, which the “international” app will inform the runtime to open.

So, within the app’s Information.plist, we’ll outline a customized URL scheme. (Apple has a doc, Defining a customized URL scheme to your app, that describes how to do that.)

Let’s faux that your customized scheme is mycustomscheme.

Half Three: The Extension Opens the Scheme

So as to summon the host app, the code in your extension’s view controller should open the host app’s customized scheme. Or, extra particularly, it should inform the host app’s shared UIApplication occasion to open the host app’s customized scheme, by calling this UIApplication occasion methodology:

func open(
    _ url: URL,
    choices: [UIApplication.OpenExternalURLOptionsKey : Any] = [:],
    completionHandler completion: (@MainActor @Sendable (Bool) -> Void)? = nil
)

However an extension can not communicate of UIApplication.shared — the compiler prevents it. Due to this fact we should (illegally) work round this restriction. A lot of the different solutions on this web page describe how to do that, though a few of them are additionally loaded with pointless cruft. It’s ample to have, in your share extension’s view controller, a way like this:

func openURL(_ url: URL?) {
    guard let url else { return }
    var responder: UIResponder? = self
    whereas responder != nil {
        if let software = responder as? UIApplication {
            software.open(url, choices: [:], completionHandler: nil)
            return
        }
        responder = responder?.subsequent
    }
}

Within the share extension’s view controller, you will name that methodology, with the URL akin to your customized scheme, i.e. URL(string: "mycustomscheme:").

Closing Remarks: Timing is The whole lot

I depart to you the query of how you will talk info from the share extension to the host app. Sometimes, your host app and share extension can have the identical app group, and the share extension will drop info, as a file or information, in that app group’s containerURL listing, the place the host app will look forward to finding it.

Your host app will then wish to reply when the customized scheme URL arrives, by trying the app group’s containerURL and retrieving the knowledge. The Apple doc that I already linked to tells you the best way to detect that your app has been despatched its customized scheme URL; in a contemporary, scene-based app, you’ll want to implement each scene(_:willConnectTo:choices:) and scene(_:openURLContexts:) within the scene delegate.

Returning, lastly, to your share extension, understand that the share extension view controller has obligations to meet. An excellent strategy is likely to be to implement beginRequest(with:) to save lots of off the NSExtensionContext in property, and to deposit the extension context’s connected info into the app group’s containerURL listing; after which implement viewWillAppear to name our openURL methodology (see above) and name the extension context’s completeRequest:

override func viewWillAppear(_ animated: Bool) {
    tremendous.viewWillAppear(animated)
    context?.completeRequest(returningItems: nil) { [weak self] _ in
        self?.openURL(URL(string: "mycustomscheme:"))
    }
}

The explanation for this association is that our openURL relies upon upon the view controller being within the view controller hierarchy, in order that it’s a part of the UIResponder chain and we will work our approach up the chain to search out the shared UIApplication occasion. viewWillAppear is the earliest second we will assure this.

Easy methods to Conquer Floor Mount Photo voltaic Design Challenges — Coming Webinar

Green Technology

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20 April 2025

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Easy methods to Conquer Floor Mount Photo voltaic Design Challenges — Coming Webinar

Join CleanTechnica’s Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott’s in-depth analyses and excessive stage summaries, join our day by day e-newsletter, and/or comply with us on Google Information!

With the help of PVcase, CleanTechnica might be internet hosting a webinar on Could 29 about how one can conquer floor mount photo voltaic design challenges.

Man Atherton spent 18 years putting in photo voltaic panels in a wide selection of areas, on all types of constructions. He labored for big photo voltaic corporations BayWa Photo voltaic Tasks and Solarcentury (now Statkraft) in that point. Now he’s working at PVcase to information improvement of PVcase Floor Mount, a cornerstone of PVcase options. We’re keen to collect insights from him and share them with you.

PVcase notes that Man “brings his experience to repeatedly search modern methods to enhance design high quality, realism, and effectivity for PV engineers.”

Whether or not you’re a photo voltaic engineer, photo voltaic mission developer, EPC, or only a curious and international citizen, this webinar ought to present one thing to consider, and hopefully assist advance and develop solar energy deployment.

Extra particularly, listed here are among the issues the webinar will cowl:

The Evolving Photo voltaic Panorama: Technological developments, regulatory adjustments, and sustainability calls for impacting floor mount photo voltaic design.
Key Challenges: Web site constraints, information compatibility, electrical design complexity, PV space optimization, and Civil Evaluation.
Sensible Options: Utilizing PVcase software program to beat these challenges, together with options for website evaluation, constraint administration, environment friendly structure design, and optimized electrical design.

So, be part of us on Could 29 in an effort to get pleasure from and be taught from high insights on overcoming challenges posed with floor mount photo voltaic PV methods. Additionally, please share the occasion with mates!

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Researchers Reveal 3D Construction of Key Eye Protein – NanoApps Medical – Official web site

Nanotechnology

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20 April 2025

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Researchers Reveal 3D Construction of Key Eye Protein – NanoApps Medical – Official web site

Researchers have uncovered the 3D construction of RBP3, a key protein in imaginative and prescient, revealing the way it transports retinoids and fatty acids and the way its dysfunction could result in retinal ailments.

Proteins play a important position within the human physique, performing as important structural and practical parts of cells, tissues, and organs. They’re concerned in a variety of organic processes, from basic mobile features equivalent to DNA replication to extra advanced physiological actions, together with those who allow imaginative and prescient.

Throughout the visible system, proteins are indispensable for detecting gentle, synthesizing photopigments in photoreceptor cells, and transmitting indicators inside these cells. Any disruption, whether or not by means of genetic mutation or protein malfunction, can impair regular imaginative and prescient and result in a spread of visible issues.

Not too long ago, scientists on the Institute of Bodily Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the Worldwide Centre for Translational Eye Analysis (ICTER) supplied new structural insights into the RBP3 protein. Their findings have superior our understanding of the visible cycle and its hyperlink to retinal ailments.

A Pure Optical Detector

The human eye, our pure optical sensor, is a remarkably advanced organ that allows us to understand the world. Its operate is determined by the coordinated exercise of quite a few molecules. Imaginative and prescient begins within the retina, a skinny layer of tissue lining the again of the attention, the place light-sensitive cells generally known as photoreceptors (rods and cones) are positioned.

These photoreceptors detect gentle and convert it into electrical indicators that are then transmitted to the mind through the optic nerve, permitting us to kind visible photos. A key molecule on this course of is 11-cis-retinal (11cRAL), a light-sensitive compound that binds to opsin proteins equivalent to rhodopsin. This interplay triggers the conversion of sunshine into {an electrical} sign, initiating the visible course of.

When photons are absorbed, a cascade of chemical reactions, together with the isomerization of 11-cis-retinal (11cRAL) to all-trans-retinal, initiates imaginative and prescient. To allow continued imaginative and prescient, the 11cRAL should be repeatedly regenerated by means of a course of known as the visible cycle. Right here the story begins…

Enter RBP3: The Retinoid Transporter

That is the place one other molecule enters the image. That’s Retinol-binding protein 3 (RBP3), a particular protein positioned within the intercellular matrix that maintains the right functioning of the visible cycle. RBP3 works as a transporter of retinoids between photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium cells and can be identified to bind some necessary fatty acids. It shuttles essential molecules forwards and backwards from the photoreceptors making the visible pigments prepared for the a number of reactions below the photons triggering.

The severity of diabetic retinopathy, a watch illness related to diabetes, is related to decreased ranges of RBP3, and results in progressive imaginative and prescient loss.

As RBP3 interacts with receptors just like the glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and vascular endothelial progress issue (VEGF), been concerned in blood vessel progress and mobile signaling within the eye. Disrupted RBP3 causes accumulation of retinal “waste merchandise”, equivalent to lipofuscin, which can trigger oxidative injury to the RPE and photoreceptor cells. Moreover diabetic retinopathy, RBP3 stage disruption also can result in retinitis pigmentosa, pan-retinal degeneration, and myopia.

Uncovering RBP3’s Construction

Though the RBP3 reference to these ailments is well-known, the mechanisms of the binding to retinoids to move them are nonetheless not satisfactorily described. This thriller intrigued the worldwide crew of researchers led by Dr. Humberto Fernandes from the Institute of Bodily Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences – Worldwide Centre for Translational Eye Analysis (ICTER) to unravel that thriller. They centered on the perception into the detailed construction of the RBP3 when it binds totally different retinoids and fatty acids.

The primary intention of their investigations was to beat the dearth of an experimental structural mannequin for the native type of RBP3. To attain this, the authors purified the porcine RBP3 (pRBP3) and analyzed its construction utilizing cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM), the place knowledge was collected below cryogenic circumstances, and after that knowledge was refined by a number of steps and software program to get the ultimate 3D construction/mannequin of the protein.

Moreover, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to offer knowledge on the conformation adjustments relying on the cargo molecules. Apparently, the construction of the RBP3 will be elongated, or bent, suggesting the dynamic adjustments within the construction whereas docking its cargo.

“Primarily based on earlier information of RBP3 properties and simple strategies for isolation of the porcine variant of RBP3, we purified porcine RBP3, and obtained a protein with Förster resonance power switch behaviour analogous to different RBP3s. By means of evaluation of cryoEM knowledge, we decided a construction at 3.67 Å decision of the porcine RBP3 protein and noticed conformational adjustments upon ligand binding,” says Dr. Humberto Fernandes

Insights into RBP3 Operate

Experimental outcomes enabled the willpower of the 3D construction and revealed conformational adjustments upon binding to its ligand as a step ahead within the perception into the RBP3 practical mechanisms throughout the visible cycle.

RBP3 as a big molecule consisting of 4 retinoid-binding modules, has lengthy misplaced its authentic catalytic performance, and it advanced to be a cargo transporter interacting with a wide range of molecules and delivering retinoids and fatty acids within the eye.

Analysis findings present the protein adjustments using its form throughout the binding of various molecules, which pertains to the effectiveness of the interplay with the opposite molecules within the cargo and signaling. Because of this, the conformational adjustments could play a major position within the regulation of the sunshine conversion into the visible indicators.

Dr. Fernandes remarks, “In all measured parameters, the porcine variant mimics the extra utterly characterised bovine variant. The capability of RBP3 to load totally different retinoids and fatty acids, the flexibility of the latter to displace the previous, and the conformational adjustments depending on ligand identification is perhaps the premise for the loading and unloading of retinoids (and probably DHA) to the supposed cell sorts bordering the IPM intercellular matrix. Thus, RBP3 complexes advantage additional investigation.”

Understanding the proteins, together with genetic mutations that have an effect on the protein’s behaviour, like RBP3, is essential to explain the mechanisms of the processes that seem in retinal ailments. Revealing the detailed construction of this bioactive molecule is a milestone within the research on the interactions with totally different proteins.

The offered findings convey the brilliant gentle into probably simpler and quicker diagnostics, the place the RBP3 molecule would work as an early-stage retinal illness growth biomarker. What’s extra, it could possibly assist in the regulation of the RBP3 exercise to develop remedies for the disruption of the visible course of.

Reference: “CryoEM construction and small-angle X-ray scattering analyses of porcine retinol-binding protein 3” by Vineeta Kaushik, Luca Gessa, Nelam Kumar, Matyáš Pinkas, Mariusz Czarnocki-Cieciura, Krzysztof Palczewski, Jiří Nováček and Humberto Fernandes, 1 January 2025, Open Biology.
DOI: 10.1098/rsob.240180