Innovation

The innovation is the world's first pressure sensor built into diesel engine fuel injectors, also known as i-ART. It measures the fluctuation of fuel pressure and temperature in each injector in order to harness optimal control over the timing and quantity of fuel injected. This greatly increases the fuel efficiency of diesel engines and provides cleaner exhaust emissions. The sensor can monitor fuel injection with 1/100,000th-of-a-second accuracy. With this new innovation, DENSO is also able to fuel engines that run on alternatives such as biofuel derived from microalgae. This device is already being used by big names such as Volvo and Toyota.

The Project Leader of i-ART Development, Koji Ishizuka, came up with the idea whilst looking at a sensor on a common rail injector for diesel engines. He asked himself, “Why not place a sensor inside the injector to monitor injection activity?” This is what led to the development of the i-ART diesel fuel injector.

Koji Ishizuka and his team of engineers were involved with this creation, although DENSO claims to be the inventor of the product. The team of engineers essentially figured out a way to measure fuel injection pressure and embedded a pressure sensor into the fuel injector. As Koji stated, “The biofuel extracted from microalgae is probably the most promising idea DENSO is pursuing right now, just because I think there will be such a huge market for it in the next few years. The fuel injectors with the built-in sensor (i-ART) is another promising innovation just because this tech can be used with biofuel.”

https://www.denso.com/global/en/innovation/story/i-art/

Inspiration

In recent years, many people have become a lot more interested in creating and bringing new technologies to market, to help both save energy and protect the environment. i-ART is a breakthrough in DENSO technology that helps maximize performance and reduce energy consumption, yielding a more sustainable environment and driving the next stage of diesel evolution.

Koji said, ”I honestly feel like my contribution to the company carries more weight, ethically speaking. The standard for work ethic here is competitive because of that, but I am enjoying it more than the past few jobs I’ve worked, definitely. It is rewarding work, if you just, every once in awhile, step back and really look at the big picture.”

Overall impact

DENSO created a state-of-the-art diesel engine (i-ART) that has enabled an opportunity for DENSO to lead the movement for diesel engines. Diesel, being a declining industry, has very few players entering the market and working on innovations. By creating a brand new type of engine, DENSO has successfully created a name for themselves for upcoming diesel innovations.

With i-ART, diesel engines use less diesel fuel overall, making them more efficient. This means that cars, trucks, and trains are able to gain more mileage out of their fuel when using the i-ART engine.

Diesel fuel is known for its harmful effects on the environment, as it burns fuel to create its energy, releasing high amounts of sulfur into the air. The i-ART goal is to make a more fuel-efficient engine that uses less diesel in order to operate vehicles/machinery. This results in a reduction in the air pollution caused by using diesel fuel, helping the environment by having cleaner air.

Currently i-ART is being promoted and implemented into Volvo’s new engine models, which boast high output and fuel efficiency. Furthermore, Toyota is using the i-ART engine in its Hilux model in Brazil in hopes of bringing cleaner air to Brazil.

Business benefit

The diesel injector innovation set DENSO’s standards above those of many other companies. DENSO was the first company to make this innovation, which means that if companies wanted to purchase these fuel injectors they would have to purchase them from the only supplier at the start, which is a great benefit.

In the future, DENSO will be using microalgae to make biofuel, which will benefit the business’ appearance. If one looks at DENSO and understands their future goals, one can see that instead of just being eco-friendly in the present, they are taking steps for the future to develop a green image. They are implementing a plan that will benefit the environment at a higher cost to shareholders in order to prevent environmental externalities and lower the overall cost to society.

Social and environmental benefit

The sustainable i-ART technology is beneficial to the environment, as it helps the traditional fuel injector to work more efficiently. It creates a truly intelligent diesel engine that provides clean energy, thus preserving the environment. Diesel produces less greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline. However, it still contributes to the environmental pollution of air, water, and soil. With i-ART technology, diesel engines can create less emissions and help DENSO to be more environmentally responsible. Also, the i-ART technology helps DENSO’s current goal to produce microalgae-derived biofuel by the year 2020.

Society has benefited from i-ART because the innovation is used in a variety of areas, not only in passenger cars but also for trucks and the agricultural industry. It grants all social groups access to efficient and clean energy. Diesel engines are more cost effective with i-ART, and fuel can be more accurately exhausted. This ultimately saves resources for future usage.

Interview

Hasib Kaker, Task Force