Nature meets AI for an EV deployment

By Gary S. Vasilash

Is this some sort of artwork in the style of Louise Nevelson?

No.

It is a section of a fan-blade developed by automotive supplier MAHLE for fuel cell and electric commercial vehicles.

About the design of the “bionic fan blade,” Dr. Uli Christian Blessing, Head of Thermal Management Development at MAHLE, said:

“We learn from nature, it inspires us in many areas! . . . With the help of AI, we analyzed the peculiarities of bats, swordfish and many other ideas from nature and finally ended up with the owl, the silent hunter, as the main template for our new fan.”

The fan is said to provide a 4 dB(A) reduction in noise compared with a conventional fan. That’s a cut of about 50%.

In addition, it is 10% more efficient and 10% lighter than a typical fan.

The company plans to extend the fan deployment to passenger cars.

Apparently one of the times when the noise abatement is key is during charging. MAHLE says the quieter operation “increases comfort for drivers and residents alike.”

As well as people taking a stroll through the Walmart parking lot, where plenty of charging occurs.