MIT's Nano Storage Could Replace Hybrid Batteries

mattnyc99 writes "Last week we discussed Popular Mechanics' reporting from MIT, but missed one of the coolest breakthrough of all, something scientists have been working on quietly as Detroit spends money elsewhere. The Lab for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems has been doing some mega-efficient work with ultracapacitors, which store drastically less energy than a battery but have essentially none of the drawbacks — especially via carbon nanotube arrays. Automotive experts say the new research is enough to start replacing batteries in hybrid cars, and plug-in vehicles might not be far behind. From the scientist who thinks ultracapacitors are potential competitors for the pack in his Toyota Prius: 'I try to contain myself, because it hasn't been proven yet, but it could be a real paradigm change.'"

Comments

Re:Think of this as the Future not as the Present

[UbuntuDupe]

Hi, I'm the self-important liberal who think he's saving the earth by driving a slightly-more fuel-efficient car to his giant home in suburbia.

Hi, I'm the energy company that just bought more oil because the self-important liberals thought they were doing the planet a favor by using less.

Hi, I'm the non-cookie-cutter human who lives in a small apartment, but uses incandescent bulbs and drives a small, non-hybrid car. TERRORIST!

Hi, I'm the Slashdot poster who points out that a simple carbon tax with the proceeds applied to carbon sinking on a competitive bid process would properly align incentives and contain all the externalities of carbon, and that unless these incentives are fundamentally changed, attempts to buy a hybrid car to drive to your mansion or fill it with CFLs are really nothing more than signaling how much you care while not actually accomplish anything. TERRORIST!

(Hey, might as well, since I can't revive this accounts karma, even after I've offered to give in to my mod-stalkers' demands...)