Future Vehicle - realistic? | |||||||||||||||||
Why not a car that fuels itself with multiple sources of energy? Compressed Air: I'm not aware of how compressed air is created, but is it also possible that a car running on compressed air, can also generate compressed air? http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/03/30/spark.air.car/ Solar Energy: Electronic devices will continue shrinking, so perhaps a thin layer of solar-panel-paint will not be too expensive. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/solar-powered_t.php Wind Resistance: Vehicles are nearly in constant motion when in use, so why not prop a giant wind-mill on the roof. Or perhaps a better design, such as a wind tunnel? http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/energy/wind-resistance.html Momentum: Already in use on the Prius, is the capture of energy during braking, and the rotation of the wheels. http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/toyota-prius-1002566.html Magnetic Levitation: Sure, we fantasize about a future of vehicles that hover based on the meisner effect, or flux trapping, but that's a bit too far away. Instead, let's look at the possiblity of lightening the vehicles weight through magnetic levitation. A lighter vehicle == less energy to create motion. We look to begin the repaving of our roadways using magnetic, or superconducting metals, and do the same in the underbelly of our vehicle. http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z4XEQVnIFmQ BackupBattery: And of course a backup battery should be included as an emergency resource.
425LEE, Oct 01 2007
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Copyright © Barry Nalebuff & Ian Ayres
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one reason would be that the mechanism needed to store and reuse of each type of energy or energy source have its cost in money weigt and space - that will prevent you from using multiple sources
Another aspect is that changing from one energy type to another have great cost in lost energy (e.g. from electicity to motion or from compressed air to electricity)
I like your ideas. How bout a gas engine that can also be used as an air motor. Store your air in the bumpers. (no excess weight) Then have a little windmill that folds out on top of the car or something to generate electricity. (You might could plug that back into your house). I like the idea of painted on solar panels!