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An MIT-led team has designed an airplane that is estimated to use 70% less fuel than current planes while also reducing noise and emission of NO x. The design was one of two that the team, led by faculty from the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, presented to NASA last month as part of a $2.1 million research contract to develop environmental and performance concepts that will help guide the agency’s aeronautics research over the next 25 years.
The smartest scientists on the face of the planet, the ones studying climate change and global warming, are mad as hell and they’re not going to take it any more. They’re really pissed because some of the dumbest people on the face of the earth have been successfully keeping us from taking the steps we needed to take if we were going to save our children from a future existence we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemies.
Another Leaf-note: It’ll be iPhone friendly. Read more in the article: Nissan Leaf electric car gets iPhone control. From the article: “All Nissan Leafs (Leaves?) will come with a cellular data radio built in. While the vehicle is at a charging station, it’ll be able to send updates to your phone, telling you when it’s finished suckling go-juice.&#.
Concept of the subsea oil recovery system. Not to scale. Click to enlarge. BP is working to deploy a subsea oil recovery system over the largest leak source in the Transocean Deepwater Horizon Rig that it hopes will capture up to 85% of the oil rising from the sea floor following the sinking of Deepwater Horizon on 22 April. This will mark the first time such a system will be used at this water depth (5,000 feet / 1,524 m).
Fuel-cycle SO 2 emissions of EVs compared to those of gasoline ICEVs and HEVs in China, current (left) and future (right). Credit: ACS, Huo et al. Click to enlarge. A new study by researchers from Tsinghua University (China) and Argonne National Laboratory (US) concludes that the mass use of electric vehicles in China could result in multiple environmental issues, including higher emissions of CO 2 and criteria pollutants than from conventional and hybrid gasoline vehicles, because electricity i
Carbon steel coupons after 60 days of exposure to Key West seawater and biodiesel under anaerobic conditions. (b, c, and d) Coupons in biodiesel, at the biodiesel/seawater interface, and in seawater, respectively. Corresponding micrographs (e-g) indicate pitting after acid cleaning. Credit: ACS, Aktas et al. Click to enlarge. A study by researchers from the University of Oklahoma and the US Naval Research Laboratory has found that biodiesel is easily susceptible to biological degradation by anae
The “Gasser” CNG Hot Rod. Click to enlarge. The WJ Daytech/AFVTech CNG Hot Rod made its debut at the recent Alternative Fuels and Vehicles ( AF&V 2010 ) show in Las Vegas. ( Earlier post.) Based on a 1933 Ford Roadster, this Hot Rod is intended to showcase the possibilities and the performance of using natural gas in a fun and unique way. Featuring a naturally aspirated CNG-fueled LS-7 GM Crate Engine built by Bob Santinoli with Riolo Racing engines and a 6-speed automatic transmission by TC
The “Gasser” CNG Hot Rod. Click to enlarge. The WJ Daytech/AFVTech CNG Hot Rod made its debut at the recent Alternative Fuels and Vehicles ( AF&V 2010 ) show in Las Vegas. ( Earlier post.) Based on a 1933 Ford Roadster, this Hot Rod is intended to showcase the possibilities and the performance of using natural gas in a fun and unique way. Featuring a naturally aspirated CNG-fueled LS-7 GM Crate Engine built by Bob Santinoli with Riolo Racing engines and a 6-speed automatic transmission by TC
The NZN concept relies on high energy density storage systems incorporated into the local grid, as well as efficient photovoltaic generation. NZN can integrate with the centralized grid. Source: Gil Weigand. Click to enlarge. In a special presentation yesterday at the “ Beyond Lithium Ion: Computational Perspectives ” conference held at Argonne National Laboratory, Dr.
A Rotrex supercharger. Source: Rotrex. Click to enlarge. UK-based variable drive specialist Torotrak has formed a 50-50 joint venture with Denmark-based centrifugal supercharger firm Rotrex. The new venture, which will be called “Rotrak”, will add Torotrak’s variable speed traction drive to Rotrex’ supercharging technology to address the automotive industry’s need for affordable, effective engine downsizing technologies.
In the past year, Ford Motor Company has increased its use of paper from recycled content instead of virgin sources for all its high-volume, consumer and employee printing projects. The results is a reduction in the use of paper made exclusively from virgin sources by 6,000 tons—the equivalent of a loaded freight train with two locomotives and 100 cars.
Tesla Motors, Inc. and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) intend to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support. The two companies intend to form a team of specialists to further those efforts. TMC has agreed to purchase $50 million of Tesla’s common stock issued in a private placement to close immediately subsequent to the closing of Tesla’s currently planned initial public offering.
The Evolution Seat. Click to enlarge. Lear has developed a technologically advanced seating system it calls The Evolution Seat that integrates seven patented technologies that reduce seat weight up to 25 pounds (11.3 kg) compared to conventional seats without sacrificing strength and safety. The Evolution Seat is expected to launch in the Asian market by 2011.
Top : Mechanism of the photocatalytic-electrolysis system. Bottom : New high-performance photocatalyst (inset) and overall model of the system. Source: AIST. Click to enlarge. Researchers at Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) have developed a tungsten oxide (WO 3 ) photocatalyst that provides a significantly higher quantum yield under visible light than conventional photocatalysts.
At the ceremonial launching of Germany’s “National Electric Mobility Platform” (NEMP) in Berlin, Volkswagen presented the Golf blue-e-motion electric vehicle concept to German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel. NEMP is a German government initiative to develop Germany into a leading market for electric mobility, with about 1 million electric vehicles on its streets by 2020.
Walmart has selected Inflation Solutions Group ( ISG ) to provide nitrogen tire inflation systems for its fleet. ( Earlier post.). ISG nitrogen tire inflation system. Click to enlarge. As of April, ISG said in a press release, 28 of Walmart’s 54 fleet service centers are using the ISG nitrogen system, with installation of the system due to be complete and the remaining centers by the end of this year.
New Ford C-MAX and new Ford Grand C-MAX 2010. Click to enlarge. Ford’s Valencia plant in Spain will build the company’s first hybrid models for European customers with two advanced technology derivatives of the new Ford C-MAX compact multi-activity model to be launched in 2013: a full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), and a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).
Ford plans to survey 35 top global suppliers on their energy use and estimated greenhouse gas emissions as part of a broader effort to reduce carbon emissions within the auto industry. The suppliers in the initial request include companies that make commodities such as seats, steering systems, tires and metal components, which require more energy to produce and thus have a larger carbon footprint.
A Fixed Pitch Continuously Variable Transmission (FPCVT) assembly with two FPCVT units connected in series. Source: Ken Hawthorn. Click to enlarge. Independent inventor Ken Hawthorn has been issued a US patent (Patent# 7,713,154) on a Fixed Pitch Continuously Variable Transmission (FPCVT) designed for higher torque applications. The FPCVT is the first positively engaging sprocket that uses standard roller chain that can change diameters while engaged, Hawthorn says.
Universal Cars Ltd. (UCL), Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)’s importer and distributor for Hong Kong, will begin sales tomorrow of the i-MiEV electric vehicle to individuals in Hong Kong. Mass-production i-MiEVs have already been delivered to the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (HKSAR) and some companies; however this announcement marks the first time sales to individuals will be commenced in Hong Kong, and also marks the first time
The US Department of Energy has selected 13 projects for investment of up to $62 million over five years to research, develop, and demonstrate Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems capable of providing low-cost electrical power. CSP technologies concentrate the sun’s energy and capture that energy as heat, which then drives an engine or turbine to produce electrical power.
BP and the government team involved in the response have deemed the top kill operation attempting to stop the flow of oil from the MC252 well in the Gulf of Mexico ( earlier post ) unsuccessful. BP is proceeding with the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) Cap option. BP started the top kill operations to stop the flow at 1300 CDT on 26 May. The procedure was intended to stem the flow of oil and gas and ultimately kill the well by injecting heavy drilling fluids through the blow-out preventer on t
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation is increasing its production capacity of lithium-ion battery cathode materials some 3.7 times, from 600 tons per year to 2,200 tons per year. Mitsubishi is manufacturing nickel-cobalt-manganese materials with a lower cobalt ratio (about 10%) than typical (usually about Ni:Mn:Co = 1:1:1, or about 33% cobalt content). Mitsubishi Chemical makes all four of the major components of a lithium-ion battery: cathode, anode, separator and electrolyte.
Strengthening the fuel economy of medium- and heavy-duty trucks could create as many as 124,000 jobs in the US by 2030, with all 50 states experiencing net job growth, according to a new report by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and CALSTART. Efficiency improvements could save class 8 fleet truck owners more than $120,000 per tractor-trailer over eight years and owner-operators more than $80,000 per tractor over 10 to 15 years, assuming an average $3.50 per gallon fuel price.
Blade compressor prototype. Click to enlarge. The UK Technology Board has awarded a consortium comprising UK start-up Lontra , Ricardo, and Ford Motor Company funding to demonstrate Lontra’s Blade Supercharger. The team will integrate the novel technology with a downsized engine to create a Ford vehicle demonstrator. The Blade Supercharger is a novel variable flow compressor with the ability to meet the boosting requirements of heavily downsized engines, both gasoline and diesel.
Factors contributing to the 7% drop in emissions in 2009. Source: EIA. Click to enlarge. In 2009, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in the United States saw their largest absolute and percentage annual decline (405 million metric tons or 7.0%) since the start of US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) comprehensive record of annual energy data that begins in 1949.
Ford Motor Company and Azure Dynamics Corporation have signed a collaborative agreement to begin delivering a pure battery electric version of the Ford Transit Connect van to customers in Europe beginning in late summer 2011. Michigan-based Azure began work on its collaborative agreement to deliver the pure battery-electric powertrain for the Transit Connect in the US and Canada in October 2009 following the end of Ford’s partnership with Smith Electric Vehicles US on that project ( earlier post
Life-cycle GHG emissions from fossil and alternative sources of electricity. Credit: ACS, Kharecha et al. Click to enlarge. CO 2 emissions from US coal-fired power plant could be phased out entirely by 2030 using existing technologies or ones that could be commercially competitive with coal within about a decade, according to a paper published online 30 April in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Axial Vector Energy Corporation (AVEC) has developed a new hybrid electric drive train comprising a small axial-type, multi-fuel AVEC engine ( earlier post ), an AVEC generator/motor and an all new electric clutch. The electric clutch is composed of AVEC permanent magnets and coils and is engaged when the two come in proximity. The new clutch is more than 80% efficient with less than 1% slip.
Australia-based MBD Energy Limited has become Origin Oil’s first algae-producing customer. Anglo American, one of the world’s largest mining companies, is a cornerstone investor in MBD Energy. The parties recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a multi-phase commercialization program under which OriginOil will supply MBD Energy with its Quantum Fracturing and Single-Step Extraction systems. ( Earlier post.).
Boeing Research & Technology and the Chinese Academy of Science’s Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) have agreed to expand their collaboration to include other research institutions and aviation supply chain entities as part of their efforts on algae-based aviation biofuel development. Boeing and QIBEBT previously announced the establishment of a joint research and development laboratory focused on algal growth, harvesting and processing technologies.
The Swedish National Audit Office (Riksrevisionen) has begun a review of the tax exemption for biofuels, with the results to be published in 2011. Sweden has striven to increase the share of biofuels in transport, and liquid biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel are currently exempt from energy and carbon tax. The main purpose of the exemption for biofuels was to encourage the continued introduction of these fuels.
OnStar is working with Google’s Android and Maps technologies to enhance the navigation capabilities of the Volt mobile app. Click to enlarge. OnStar is leveraging Google technology to develop a number of new mobile application features to provide Volt customers with the most connected vehicle experience possible. OnStar will debut and demonstrate new functionalities it is developing for the Chevrolet Volt mobile application leveraging the Android platform at the Google I/O conference in San Fra
the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has certified the Ford 2011 Fiesta with a 40 mpg highway, 29 mpg city rating. Achieved with Ford’s new six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, the 40 mpg is 5 mpg better than the Honda Fit and 4 mpg better than the Toyota Yaris. The Fiesta achieves its fuel figures due to a number of fuel-saving technologies not normally seen at this price level.
The riser insertion tube. Source: BP. Click to enlarge. The Unified Area Command for the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill reported on Sunday that the Riser Insertion Tube Tool—one of several subsea options BP is developing—was successfully tested and inserted into the leaking riser Saturday night, capturing some amounts of oil and gas.
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