Together for a climate-neutral future
The Research Association of Automotive Internal Combustion Engines (AICE) celebrated its 10th anniversary. It was founded in Tokyo in 2014, based on the FVV model, and is now a central technology platform for cooperation between industry, academia and government in Japan.
The two sister organisations FVV and AICE have been working hand in hand on common research issues since the beginning. This close co-operation in basic and applied research facilitates the international transfer of knowledge and brings research on modern energy conversion systems and their components to a global level.
In view of the increasing internationalisation of the research landscape, the co-operation with AICE in Japan is particularly pioneering for the FVV. AICE brings together Japanese car manufacturers and their suppliers with scientific institutions, providing a platform for the pre-competitive exchange of knowledge that brings new ideas to research projects. Together, the two research associations have made significant progress, from collective projects to events that Japanese and German experts use to deepen their dialogue. Examples include the regular lectures of Japanese speakers at FVV Transfer + Networking events and the participation of European representatives from the FVV Innovation + Transfer Network at scientific congresses in Japan.
In 10 years of close cooperation, AICE and FVV have carried out a number of successful research projects with the support of international funding programmes.
Members of the FVV Innovation + Transfer Network can find further information on the research projects mentioned below on the THEMIS knowledge platform via the FVV project number :
We would like to thank our members, research partners and, above all, the European COllective Research Networking CORNET, the German funding programme IGF and the Japanese development organisation NEDO for their support.
Multi-path strategy for a carbon-neutral future
In the AICE session at the last FVV Transfer + Networking Event in Würzburg, Dr Takaaki Kitamura presented the common multi-path strategy of the Japanese government and industry. A transformation strategy that the FVV fully supports: Openness to technology and a wide variety of solutions are crucial to mastering the challenges of decarbonisation. With its carbon neutrality (CN) strategy, the Japanese government is pursuing the goal of reducing CO2 emissions to net zero by 2050 without focussing exclusively on 100% electromobility. Science, industry and politics join forces to emphasise the need for a broad spectrum of technologies, including the advanced development of combustion engines to run on carbon-neutral fuels.
Cutting-edge projects – a top priority of AICE's research work
Since the research association was founded, AICE has been involved in several ground-breaking projects, including those funded by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to advance CI engine technology and to create a simulation platform for the development of ›next-generation vehicles‹. Currently, AICE is heavily involved in the development of energy conversion systems and powertrains to run on carbon-neutral fuels, which are critical to the future efficiency of hybrid vehicles. These projects demonstrate how AICE is contributing not only to Japan's technological but also to its economic competitiveness.
Progress through international co-operation
The cooperation between AICE and FVV is an impressive example of how international collaboration and the exchange of research results can drive progress in the development of sustainable powertrain technologies.
Together, we are working towards a future that is not only open in terms of technology, but also promotes the knowledge that is necessary to thoroughly educate the next generations of engineers and scientists.
