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Biodegradable Car Parts From Grass

Posted by timothy on from the plant-bamboo-in-your-enemies'-yards dept.

An unnamed reader writes: "The CBC is reporting that scientists from the University of Warwick in England are working to develop biodegradable cars using Elephant grass." Elephant grass, for those unblessed with it, is a quick-growing, low-maintenance woody plant akin to bamboo. The idea of cheaply growing eco-friendly parts to make durable goods certainly appeals.

9 of 25 comments (clear)

  1. Adobe by BobGregg · · Score: 2

    Reminds me of the classic SNL parody - "the little car that's ma-ade out of clay..."

  2. You mean for England. by Christopher+Thomas · · Score: 2

    The environmental Nazis claim the USA is a polluting nation, but with technology like this, we have demonstrated quite clearly how we will dominate the market for 'green' automobiles in the future.

    Um, you do realize that this is an article in *Canada* reporting the development of this technology in *England*?

    IHBT, I know...

  3. Ok, grass car parts, very nice by ackthpt · · Score: 3
    Reminded me of stories I've heard about ceramic engines (ok, where are they, hmmm? And I don't mean the aluminum silicon blocks) and plastic engine parts. All I've seen so far are carbon valve springs.

    I suppose if they adopted this technology, Detroit could get a variation on it's nickname... Mow-town.

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    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  4. Car-rot? by decipher_saint · · Score: 2
    Wouldn't parts made of dead matter attract rot and / or insects? I mean, for parts to be totally biodegradable you couldn't use synthetic varnish or sealant (not being a botanist, I don't know if there are naturally occuring biodegradable sealants, preservatives perhaps). Actually the basic idea of 'biodegradable' means that eventually any item made of this matter would be consumed by bacteria, so much for classic cars eh.

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    crazy dynamite monkey
  5. Henry Ford's HempCar by HempCar · · Score: 2

    haven't you fools ever heard of Henry Ford's Hemp body car? here's a video of somebody swinging a sledgehammer at it and not even denting it.

    http://www.crrh.org/hemptv/misc_ford.html

    fueled by hemp too.

  6. It's not elephant grass, it's miscanthus. by johnhebert · · Score: 2

    Elephant grass is Pennisetum Purpureum. Miscanthus is a different species, Miscanthus x giganteus. They resemble each other, but are sometimes confused. See http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/papers/miscanthus/miscan thus.html for more information.

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    "Classic UFO's ... crafts for kids..." Interpretations from
  7. Re:Oh.. ELEPHANT grass.. by pallex · · Score: 2

    http://www.hempcar.org/

  8. Re:Another first for the USA!! by Rogerborg · · Score: 2

    Er, are you being ironic or moronic?

    This has nothing to do with the US, and in any case, it's hardly a new idea. Ever heard of the Trabant?

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  9. HempCar by The+Queen · · Score: 2

    This is the real deal, sweetie: http://hempcar.org/

    (Shameless plug for my dear Reverend Al.)


    "I'm not a bitch, I just play one on /."

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