Exploring the future of fuel efficiency technology.

[xbroSoice]

Given the diverse topics discussed here, what emerging technologies or research areas not yet covered do you believe hold the most promise for significantly improving fuel economy in the coming years?

[freebeard]

Plasma.

[Logic]

Generative Design = LOW weight, a new model daily if you like and minimizes metal resource use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdG4gUTowXc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VbOhdxjPyI&t=51s

pgfpro, a member here, is running extremely lean (~30 to 1 IIRC) and extremely high compression (~30 to 1 IIRC)using combustion pre chambers etc, same as formula 1.
Seems to me that F1 was more following him than leading..!?

Edison Motors kinda leaps forward by going back to ease of repair and right to repair series hybrid trucks, using off the shelf parts.

While BYD makes cars with series hybrid most of the time + a direct drive cruising '5th' gear.
Their Engines are knocking on 46% efficiencies IIRC.

DBD looks like it may be a light a practical way to improve aero without weighty boat tails etc. and easy to test.

[freebeard]

DBD looks like it may be a light a practical way to improve aero...

Allow me to expound.

NASA
Plasma, Plasma, Everywhere! - NASA
So it turns out that almost everything in our universe above an atmosphere altitude of about 100 kilometers, is a plasma. Some people estimate that 99.9% of everything in the universe is a plasma.

Fuel is a fluid medium, the ambient environment is a fluid. Ionized fluids can be manipulated. A pulsed DC bias voltage can accelerate the film of air closest to the surface of a vehicle, easing it on down the road.

The fluid air/fuel mixture could be manipulated with annular electrodes around the choke points in the intake. Then there is IGNITION.

Malcom Bendall

Strike Foundation
Strike Open Source Research - STRIKE FOUNDATION GUARANTEE LIMITED
Strike Foundation publishes the notes and diagrams of inventor Malcolm Bendall, who developed a Thunderstorm Generator that produces atomic energy from water. Explore his ideas on Plasmoids, MSAART, Terra Ten, and other technologies.


alchemicalscience.org
Thunderstorm Generator | COMPLETE DIY BUILD GUIDE | Malcolm Bendall's ...
Learn how to build your own Thunderstorm Generator, a device that creates plasmoids based on Malcolm Bendall's invention. Watch the video, download the materials list and follow the instructions from Alchemical Science, a website on open source research.

This technology transmutes elements, producing Oxygen from Carbon and Nitrogen, IIRC; producing breathable air as the exhaust from ICE. Alchemical Science explains how to do it, but there is some fabrication of concentric spheres that may be beyond hobbyist level.

[Ecky]

Electrification. It won't be used in all applications, but partial or full electrification is the obvious (to me) answer. Depending on your grid, you have partial or full reduction of fuel usage.

Probably not the answer you wanted to hear.

[Piotrsko]

I remember Smog so bad in Smell-A that you were in an environment like those of forest fires. Anything that reduces those conditions has to be a somewhat improved condition. Do I resent the government control? Yuppa I do, but you can see the mountains from the beaches nowadays.

[Logic]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Electrification. It won't be used in all applications, but partial or full electrification is the obvious (to me) answer. Depending on your grid, you have partial or full reduction of fuel usage.

Probably not the answer you wanted to hear.

Ye; modding a gearbox to take a high rpm (small, light, efficient) motor; post clutch, but pre gears, looks to be about the easiest to me.

I NB that this is only really worth it if you do a lot of Urban or hilly driving where regen can be gainfully employed, unless you go plugin (cheap charging) with more heavy batteries.

Also easiest control of such a system would entail fitting a torque sensor post engine , but pre motor, so that the desired amount of assistance can be chosen (on the fly) without hacking into the vehicle's canbus/network.

[redpoint5]

Drone deliveries and work from home. The best trip taken is no trip taken.

Most of our trips are out of necessity, not desire. This will change one day.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Drone deliveries and work from home. The best trip taken is no trip taken.

Most of our trips are out of necessity, not desire. This will change one day.

In my case it's walking. I did the thing many young (how much longer can I get away with saying that) people are doing, and moved into a city. I'm lucky if I drive once a week. People are moving from the countryside to the city, and carparks are being converted to bus stops and outdoor seating for restaurants. It gets easier every year to not own a car, or at least to not drive one for anything one needs.

[freebeard]

Two blocks to the grocery store (two grocery bags and a day pack per trip), eight blocks to the Post Office.

I'm holding the Superbeetle against appreciation, and use the XFi for haulage and road trips.

Originally Posted by Echy

Electrification.

What has rekindled my hopes is the ZombieVerter VCU. It's Open Source and goes beyond the VFD motor controller to become a Vehicle Control Unit. With generic inputs and outpput, one could use it to flash the turn signals.