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2012 PACE Awards finalists and winners

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Innovation at auto suppliers is enjoying a renaissance as automakers rely on suppliers to control costs, improve fuel economy and boost quality.
Here are summaries of 32 finalists and 14 winners of the 2012 Automotive News PACE Awards, which honor commercialized innovations in products, processes and information technology.

WINNER: Solid-state junction box saves weight

Lear Corp.
• What: Solid-state junction box to replace fuse and relay boxes
• Innovation: Lear replaced the traditional combination junction box and fuse box with solid-state electronics. The solid-state box eliminates relays and cuts weight 70 percent. Placement is flexible because drivers need not access it, eliminating human tampering. The solid-state single board can be easily reconfigured for changes in electronic systems on various models.
• First customer: Fisker Automotive, for the Fisker Karma, 2011
• Web site: lear.com

WINNER: Testing finds flaws in piston heads
WINNER: Testing finds flaws in piston heads
WINNER: Tiny crimp connects slender wire
WINNER: Tiny crimp connects slender wire
WINNER: Special grinding eliminates plastic part
WINNER: Special grinding eliminates plastic part
Clutch actuator cuts weight, cost
Clutch actuator cuts weight, cost
WINNER: Wiper blades deliver fluid
WINNER: Wiper blades deliver fluid
WINNER: Low-friction turbo boosts torque, power
WINNER: Low-friction turbo boosts torque, power
WINNER: Folded-tube process speeds manufacturing
WINNER: Folded-tube process speeds manufacturing
Heat exchanger boosts fuel economy
Heat exchanger boosts fuel economy
WINNER: Axle replacement absorbs impacts
WINNER: Axle replacement absorbs impacts
WINNER: System adds power, cuts emissions
WINNER: System adds power, cuts emissions
WINNER: Solid-state junction box saves weight
WINNER: Solid-state junction box saves weight
Technology helps dealerships boost collision parts
Technology helps dealerships boost collision parts
WINNER: Technology enables MyFord Touch
WINNER: Technology enables MyFord Touch
Laser-welded differential cuts weight
Laser-welded differential cuts weight
China gets low-cost Internet connection
China gets low-cost Internet connection
Simulator replaces physical wire testing
Simulator replaces physical wire testing
Advanced oil sensor is compact, inexpensive
Advanced oil sensor is compact, inexpensive
Injectors switch between gasoline, liquefied gas
Injectors switch between gasoline, liquefied gas
WINNER: Automated wheel balancing
WINNER: Automated wheel balancing
Fuel line hose reduces emissions
Fuel line hose reduces emissions
Channels removed excess coatings from fasteners
Channels removed excess coatings from fasteners
WINNER: Process eliminates primer booth
WINNER: Process eliminates primer booth
Fuel pump cuts gasoline direct-injection noise
Fuel pump cuts gasoline direct-injection noise
Exhaust gas cooler reduces emissions
Exhaust gas cooler reduces emissions
Bimetal camshaft improves contact
Bimetal camshaft improves contact
Efficient headlamp cuts energy use 30%
Efficient headlamp cuts energy use 30%
Engine wrap cuts emissions
Engine wrap cuts emissions
Stiffer cylinder liner cuts oil use
Stiffer cylinder liner cuts oil use
Van seats stow easily with one push
Van seats stow easily with one push
WINNER: Process replaces formaldehyde with starch
WINNER: Process replaces formaldehyde with starch
Metal fitting cuts refrigerant leakage
Metal fitting cuts refrigerant leakage
WINNER: Coating prolongs life of turbo blade
WINNER: Coating prolongs life of turbo blade