Ford wants to Replace Sparkplugs with "Lasers"

[chuckm]

Re: halo plugs. No noted difference.

[orange4boy]

Lasers are all cool and stuff but...

What we really need is better batteries, not more expensive gasoline technology. I personally think they are throwing money at a dying technology. I would concentrate on spending the money on battery research. Electric motors are by far the most efficient practical solution for vehicles. The biggest gains from improving the gasoline engine have been made already. Gasoline engine efficiency up to 25% for otto or 35% for Atkinson. (If you drive it sensibly) Electric motor up to 95% efficient and the energy can come from almost any source. As we all know here, Aero improvements and taking loads off the engine give the biggest MPG gains. That's the low hanging fruit the automakers should be taking advantage of.

I realize that the combustion engine is here to stay in some applications but right now we should be getting off the gas ASAP

And don't even get me started on Hydrogen

[chuckm]

Personally, I think money should be spent in getting us away from gas, but not away from combustion. I truly think that biodiesel, especially from engineered algae, has a great potential. From an energy density standpoint, liquid fuels are just plain hard to beat with a battery for the foreseeable future. For that one reason, I continue to like the idea of a well designed series diesel hybrid. Even relatively small capacity battery systems can do a tremendous amount to smooth out variation in power demand, meaning you can optimize engine size and rpm for efficiency.

[Frank Lee]

I think people should ride more bicycles and Songis.

[orange4boy]

Frank,

Where did you get that fantastic quote?

I must know.

[Frank Lee]

How did you miss this?!?

Addictions and the report Orange papers

It's too awesome for words. I think I have found my new spiritual leader.

[orange4boy]

I am bringing in the overture, for aft of the mast is bonkers. Is the finding of fruit longer than the given woo? I know knot.

Awesome! Thanks Frank, you made my day.

At the plastics shop today, I overheard a great one-versation about magnets and free energy and inventors getting visits from dark figures in black limousines. There were even sketches of levitation machines. The most salient point from this sage to his hapless nodder? "Everything we have been told is a lie to keep us ignorant."

Now I can sleep.

[Frank Lee]

I envy you. These things keep me awake until dawn. Every night.