Famous....Again!

After a brief round of media attention about a year ago, some of the research that I participate in is back in the news. The New York Times recently ran this slightly related story on sweating, and included photos of me and ADAM, the thermal manikin.

As usual the media missed the point of our research when they stated "Adam was devised to help reduce automobile fuel consumption by evaluating ways to limit air-conditioner use." Our main goal is to reduce fuel consumption, but not merely be reducing AC use. Anyone can reduce fuel use by not turning on the AC. Unfortunately this would be uncomfortable.

The idea of the research is reduce the size of the AC compressor needed to maintain equivalent passenger comfort. A smaller compressor means better fuel economy. Accomplishing this requires multiple approaches: 1) reduce the heat load in the car (passive ventilation, solar reflective glazing), 2) improve delivery of conditioned air to the passengers, 3) augment air conditioning with passive or low powered ventilated seating. Savings of 7% were shown to be readily achievable and would save billions of gallons of gas per year. Something for everyone to worry about next time you turn up the AC.