Author Topic: Not diesel related but maybe of interest as alternative fuel (Read 6225 times)

clbanman · « **on:** January 16, 2008, 06:29:52 am »

http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/20071/?nlid=809

Still have to use some type of energy to compress all that air.

jimfoo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2008, 06:36:04 am »

Oh boy, a "green" car that will suck more than a Prius.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2008, 07:38:19 am »

I hate that "emission free" bull***. It takes energy to compress air and energy isn't free

Wouldn't want to get in an accident with one, that'd be one big explosion :shock:

Turbinepowered · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2008, 08:59:24 am »

Supposedly the accident angle is why they're going for carbon fiber tanks... instead of rupturing and exploding in an accident, they'd fracture and split to release pressure.

Or that's what a press release (I think?) said.

Oh, and this:

Quote

The ultralight bodies of the vehicles would be made of glued-together fiberglass and injected foam, and the aluminum chassis would also be glued, not welded, to simplify manufacturing.

Scares me. :shock:

burn_your_money · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2008, 09:07:58 am »

apparently glue is the next big thing from what I've read

Turbinepowered · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2008, 09:10:09 am »

Quote from: "burn_your_money"

apparently glue is the next big thing from what I've read

For plastics and resins... but for aluminum? What could be freaking stronger than melting the metal pieces together into a single unit? :shock:

Of course... we all know why you seek ever simpler manufacturing methods...

So you can employ no-talent unskilled sweatshop labor and squeeze your profits higher, rather than paying for the training and skill of someone who actually knows what they're doing.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2008, 09:23:28 am »

throw away cars is what it's coming to, just like everything else in this world. If stuff is made to last, people don't make money, which is why fuel economy is low, pollution is high and people are getting shot in the streets

clbanman · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2008, 09:35:02 am »

If I remember correctly, either Audi or Porsche are already using adhesives to hold together aluminum frames. I can't quite wrap my head around the potential destruction that could be unleashed by 4000+ psi being released in the event of an accident. (Web site refers to energy output at 300 bar.) On the interesting side is the articulated connecting rod being used - "retention of the piston at top dead centre during 70º of the rotation of the crankshaft."