F1 innovation: The formula helping you every day

SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 23: (EDITORS NOTE: THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN CREATED WITH THE USE OF DIGITAL FILTERS) Kevin Magnussen of Denmark and McLaren drives during qualifying ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 23, 2014 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Over the years, many state-of-the-art technologies used in Formula One have trickled down to the technology we use every day. Everything, from the use of carbon fiber to Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC), was first used on the F1 circuits, before it made its way into our lives. Here is a look at some Formula One innovations that that have made our lives easier, better and safer.

MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 27: Andrea de Cesaris #8 McLaren MP4-1 01/Ford Cosworth drives anlongside Jean-Pierre Jarier #32 Osella FA1C 001/Ford Cosworth during the 1981 Canadian Grand Prix on September 27, 1981, at the Circuit �?le Notre-Dame in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bob Harmeyer/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Carbon fiber

The unique structural composition of carbon fiber imparts high durability, low weight and high chemical resistance, making it suitable for use in aerospace, civil engineering, military and motorsports. In 1981, the McLaren MP4/1 (pictured right) designed by John Barnard was the first Formula One car to make use of a carbon fiber composite monocoque.

interior cockpit of an expensive sports car lined in leather and carbon fiber.

These days carbon fiber is increasingly being used to make objects that are superior in strength and lighter in weight. Because it’s expensive to make and work with, it tends to be confined to higher-end cars when used in actual bodywork, but it also appears as trim on dashboards, instrument panels and other cosmetic features.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany is attended to by his crew during a pit stop during the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo November 24, 2013. REUTERS/Nelson Almeida/Pool (BRAZIL - Tags: SPORT MOTORSPORT F1)

Seamless operations of F1 pit crew

Formula One pit crews are known for fast, efficient and seamless operations. On Nov. 18, 2013, team Red Bull created a record when they registered the fastest pit stop ever, clocking just 1.923 seconds.

Doctors of Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, England have sought the help of Ferrari and McLaren F1 pit crews to teach them the tricks of tighter, more efficient organization inside operating rooms and intensive care units.

Tires

Formula One tires are meant to last for less than one race distance as opposed to 50,000 miles (80,000 km) for regular road tires. While there’s hardly any similarity between F1 and road tires, a large part of current tire technology has been adopted from the ones used in F1 cars.

The idea of having grooved tires was borrowed from F1 circuits. Earlier, F1 used grooved tires as an effective way to prevent cars from slipping. Today, the same technology is being incorporated to make non-slip boots. The idea was also used in making fishing-lines with star-shaped cross-sections, which results in reduced drag.

Sensor-based technology

From measuring temperature to pressure, electronic sensors have become an integral part of any automobile in the last one decade. An F1 car is equipped with over 150 sensors that supply real-time information within fractions of a second to the pit crew and engineers based in faraway locations to enable quick decision making and strategizing. (Pictured) Temperature-based sensors installed on tires during 2008 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix.

Almost every car these days makes use of sensors of all kinds for efficient functioning and monitoring. The technology has found usage in other sporting events such as rugby, football and the Olympics. It also has medical applications: people with some serious medical conditions can be fitted with devices that monitor their health, allowing doctors to take decisions within seconds of them suffering an attack. (Pictured) A self-driving, sensor-equipped Nissan car.

Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC)

A double overhead camshaft permits less restricted airflow at higher engine speed and optimal placement of the spark plug, resulting in improved combustion efficiency. In 1912, Peugeot was the first car to use DOHC at the French Grand Prix at Dieppe (pictured).

In the mid-1960s, Fiat became the first car manufacturer to use DOHC technology-based engines across their complete product lines. Today, every major automobile brand makes use of this technology to improve fuel efficiency and performance.

Paddle shifters, semi-automatic transmission

The system makes use of electronic sensors, processors and actuators to shift gears without the need to operate the clutch. Team Lotus was the first team to attempt clutch-less gear shifting in the 1970s, but it wasn’t until 1989 that Ferrari engineer John Barnard and designer Harvey Postlethwaite designed an automated gearbox for the Ferrari 640 single-seater. By 1995, all F1 cars were making use of the semi-automatic system using paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

Today, a large number of high-end cars come equipped with paddle shift technology to change gears. The paddle shifter incorporates both the features of manual and automatic transmission and allows the driver to exercise better control on turns and slopes.

Active suspension

An active suspension system controls the vertical movement of the wheels relative to the chassis with the help of an on-board computer system. In 1992, team Williams made use of on-board computers to change a car’s suspension settings for every corner.

These days, cars are making using of the same technology and offering the drivers the option of “comfort” or “sports” settings. Then there are some that automatically adjust the settings based on driver’s style. Cars such as the Infiniti M from Nissan use active suspension for safety purposes — stiffening the suspension during emergency braking.

Fuel efficiency

Contrary to the popular perception of an F1 car as a gas guzzling machine, fuel efficiency is at the core of any F1 car’s design. Since new regulations banning the re-fueling of cars were put in place, teams are finding new ways to minimize fuel consumption, like making use of engine oil additives to minimize wear-and-tear.

Following F1’s example, additives are being used along with engine-oil to pull out iron and magnetite particles with the help of magnets. A similar technology is being used inside the boilers and filters of other automobiles to increase their fuel efficiency.

Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)

KERS utilizes the energy wasted during braking and stores it inside a mechanical flywheel or a battery pack for later use. A Formula One car uses two electric generators — which re-cycle the kinetic energy from the braking system and heat energy from the exhaust back into the system, thereby providing extra boost to the driver and smoothing the power delivery system.

Though the technology is yet to be fully incorporated into commercial cars, Volvo has recently built a KERS-equipped S60 T5 prototype. The new Mazda 6 is making use of a system called i-ELOOP which makes use of the same technology. Jaguar plans to introduce KERS into its next XJ series.

Traction Control System

Traction Control measures the wheel rotation to help optimize the grip and stability of the car during acceleration. In 2008, after an intense debate around traction control, the system was finally barred because it was perceived as a driver aid and went against the core ideology of Formula One racing which intends to test the skills of the driver.

Traction control has been used in commercial cars since the early 1970s. However, the TCS system we see in today’s cars is derived from the technological advances made in the Formula One cars of the 1980s. Today, every major car brand, from Acura to Volkswagen, uses the technology.

Nanoslide technology

Mercedes F1 team uses its Nanoslide technology to coat cylinder bore surfaces of their engines to reduce friction, which helps increase power output, fuel efficiency and reduce wear-and-tear. A modified form of this has trickled down to their road cars. In order to keep up, other automotive manufacturers are in the process of creating their own versions of this technology as well.

A modified form of this has trickled down to Mercedes’ road cars, such as the diesel Mercedes-Benz Sprinter passenger van (pictured). In order to keep up, other automotive manufacturers are in the process of creating their own versions of this technology as well.

‘Halo’ cockpit protection device

Even though this safety device to protect the driver’s head is still in the testing stage, F1 is likely to introduce it in some form for all cars from 2018. It involves a sloped center-line fin with a roll bar situated above the driver’s head and will offer protection from flying debris.

Although this system may not be required in cars with a roof, it could potentially be used in convertibles and open-top racers.

courtesy msn.com