Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Ethanol

This information will not come as a shock to our readers, but I thought that I would go ahead and share the story with you anyway. As you are well aware, turbocharging an internal combustion engine can lead to higher power output by adding additional oxygen into the engine. This has been used to great effect on street and race cars for a long time now. I'm sure you are also aware that raising the compression of an engine also has the effect of raising the engine's power output. One hardship to overcome with turbocharging an engine that already has a high compression is the octane level of the gasoline. As the power output of the engine increases, and additional gasoline and air (fuel) are burned, the heat generated raises as well. In extreme cases, the fuel will ignite before intended, causing what many refer to as knocking. Pretty normal stuff here, I know. Anyway, by using what is known as direct injection, the chances of knocking are reduced. Audi and Volkswagen have been doing this as of late on their gasoline engines. Diesel engines have also been making use of this technology.

Here is where the information gets a bit more interesting. Regular readers may remember some of our past articles related to the performance potential of ethanol. Because ethanol burns cooler than gasoline, the compression of an engine designed to run solely on ethanol can be raised. By combining this characteristic with direct injection and turbocharging, researchers at MIT have been able to vastly increase the power output of small engines. The engines use gasoline through standard fuel injection, with a separate direct injection system for the ethanol. The benefits include saved weight over a comparably powerful, less advanced engine, and possibly lower cost. Check the article out here for more information.

Overall, the concepts introduced in this article are not new. Combining them into a single working engine may be, however. I can't specifically recall the use of direct ethanol injection into an engine running on normal gasoline. If you are aware of anything similar, why not let us know about it in the comments?

[Source: Technology Review via Edmunds Inside Line]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Chrysler, Dodge

A while back, we posted that Dodge had officially chosen Chery as the company to manufacture their Hornet small car concept. Is that still true? It's a little hard to say at this point.

Chery and Chrysler/Dodge have issued conflicting press releases these last few days. When Chery does actually start to make vehicles for Chrysler, will they be like the Hornet concept, or will they be more like rebadged Chery's? Again, hard telling. Chery says it will be the A1, as pictured above, while Chrysler has said both we don't know which car it will be, and we know, but we have not announced it yet. So, that clears things up, right? No? I didn't think so. Wait and see!

[Source: Autoblog]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Biodiesel, Diesel, Etc., Hybrid

Wal-Mart has made its intentions very clear to reduce the fuel bill of its massive truck fleet by improving efficiency. We've talked a couple of times about their plans and the latest news is that advanced hybrid technologies jointly developed by Peterbilt Motors Company and Eaton Corporation have been combined with a modern aerodynamic design to produce a heavy-duty truck with superior fuel efficiency. The heavy-duty hybrid electric power system should be available in 2009.

Testing has shown that the Eaton Hybrid Power System typically returns a 5-7 percent fuel savings versus comparable, non-hybrid models. The heavy-duty hybrid electric power system features an electric motor/generator between the clutch and the transmission to offer regenerative breaking and improved performance.

Analysis: Via their "Sustainability 360" program, Wal-Mart is aggressively promoting environmental stewardship among customers, suppliers and associates through a number of global innovation projects. Hybrid technology offers huge fuel savings for long-haul trucks even when efficiency is only slightly better than non-hybrid systems due to the huge distances covered each year. Ultimately the trucks must move into urban areas as well to deliver their goods and that's where the hybrid component really shines. Emissions and pollution fall dramatically when hybrid technology is further combined with clean diesel systems and biodiesel.

Related:

• DOE & USDA study proves biodiesel massively reduces dangerous emissions
• Volvo Agrees to Buy Nissan Diesel for $1.1 Billion
• Wal-Mart redesigning its trucks for greater efficiencies

[Source: Peterbilt press release]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Etc., Hydrogen

FirstFuelCells.com, a distributor of practical hydrogen fuel cells for personal and educational use, has teamed up with FIRST Robotics to put on a fuel-cell powered robot competition called the Fuel Cell "Green Machine" Pilot Program. Up to 100 FIRST Robotics teams will compete in the program designed to encourage to young minds to master hydrogen fuel cells and demonstrate their use in robots.

Registered teams are required to develop robots with integrated fuel cell technologies based on a standardized competition kit. Regional competitions are taking place this month with the Championship to be held April 12th in Atlanta, GA.

Analysis: Hydrogen is seen by many to be the fuel source set to take over from petroleum and power our transport into the future. Teaching students today about fuel cells ensures that the next generation of scientists and engineers will get a flying start at making the potential of hydrogen a commercial reality.

Related:

• MIT claims ecomagination Challenge grant
• Shell Eco-marathon returns in April - will anyone beat last year's 6,792 mpg record?
• Clean Snowmobile Challenge draws student teams to develop greener machines

[Source: Fuel Cell Works]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

In Greenland, glaciers appear to be moving more quickly to sea because melting ice has allowed the sheet to slide more easily over the rock and dirt below.

The second report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts massive humanitarian crises.

In the past 18 months, a number of US states, led by California, have taken the lead in drawing up standards for tougher fuel economy standards for vehicles and emissions reductions goals for power utility companies.

In just a few years, the scales that are now finely balanced between new production coming on stream and declines in mature regions may lean more heavily on the side of depletion.

The Honda Civic Hybrid takes the top award for the second year running, winning the overall award as well as the award in its own Small Family Car category.

Mr Rudd says environmental concerns are becoming more prominent for many Australian families in the market for a car.