Slashdot Mirror
Scientists Claim Major Leap in Engine Design
An anonymous reader writes "Purdue researchers say they have made a major advance in the design of the internal combustion engine, one that could seriously boost fuel efficiency and cut emissions. A key portion involves building intake and exhaust valves that are no longer driven by mechanisms connected to the pistons, a departure from the way car engines have worked since they were commercialized more than a century ago. 'The concept, known as variable valve actuation, would enable significant improvements in conventional gasoline and diesel engines used in cars and trucks and for applications such as generators, he said. The technique also enables the introduction of an advanced method called homogeneous charge compression ignition, or HCCI, which would allow the United States to drastically reduce its dependence on foreign oil and the production of harmful exhaust emissions. The homogeneous charge compression ignition technique would make it possible to improve the efficiency of gasoline engines by 15 percent to 20 percent, making them as efficient as diesel engines while nearly eliminating smog-generating nitrogen oxides, Shaver said.'"
Can someone please mod parent +1 Insightful
It's not going to be Ford or Honda or anyone who scoops up this patent. It will be OPEC. They're the only ones who stand to gain anything by this technology being suppressed.
We figured out a long time ago that it's easier to elect seven judges than to elect 132 legislators.
Or your fat wife, kids and empty McDonalds bags. Not that I'd have any knowledge of that.
"Please, shut up. Just when I think you can't say anything more stupid, you speak again." -Archie Bunker.
Ford Escape gets 35 MPG, you should fit in there. As for the 60 inch chest, that is not healthy, you really should consider liposuction or gastric bypass(Diet and exercise is much better, but I'm sure you've already tried that.)
I can comfortably afford to maintain and pay for one vehicle, not three. How about you?
If you don't insist on only owning new vehicles, this isn't a problem. Used cars are dirt-cheap, esp. for models over 10 years old. For things that you rarely need to do, it makes sense to keep an older vehicle (value: $500-1500) around to do so. Maintenance? If you're not using a vehicle very often, then you don't need to maintain it very often either. Maintenance is proportional to usage. (BTW, you don't need to change your oil every 3 months on a vehicle that gets used once a month. Don't buy into the marketing myths about oil change frequency.)
I'm selling my car. Thankyou for showing me the light. Here i was, all this time, thinking I actually need the extra space and power, and appreciate the extra comfort, when it turns ive been running over kittens and filling my car with puppies.
Thankyou so very, very much.
Shouldn't you also be telling me to quit smoking, quit drinking, that drugs are ok, that Wal Mart is evil (damn them and their cheap prices people can afford!), and that Mac Donalds is the reason the world is coming to an end?
While i appreciate (albeit very mildly) your totally worthless, idiotic statement, do you honestly expect to do anything?
Did it ever occur to you that some people NEED the extra features? You can drive in your Prius all you want - but those seats feel like rocks, and they have virtually no space. Plus, you ever try going up a hill in one of those things? If you live anywhere that isn't flat, you're screwed, or at the very least, using gasoline most of the time anyways.
Breakthroughs are always good. Always. Theres a reason people buy SUV's - its definitley not becuase they walked up to the salesman and said "I want the biggest, most expensive, most wastful car on the lot."
Thats not to say that there arent some people dont buy them just for the TPS (Tiny Penis Syndrome) factor - but thats not like this is a new thing. There have been extravagant cars around for DECADES. Why are suddenly whining about it now?
-Red - Proud owner of a beautiful 2000 Chevy Impala. 24MPG in city. Its called "BALANCE" asshat.
Guns don't kill people, "with glowing hearts" kills people.
It's true I tell you, feller at work's next door neighbour read it in the paper.