Laser Ignition May Replace the Spark Plug

dusty writes "Laser Focus World has a story on researchers from Ford, GSI, and The University of Liverpool and their success in using near-infrared lasers instead of spark plugs in automobile engines. The laser pulses are delivered to the combustion chamber one of two ways. One, the laser energy is transmitted through free space and into an optical plug. Two, the other more challenging method uses fiber optics. Attempts so far to put the second method into play have met some challenges. The researchers are confident that the fiber-optic laser cables' technical challenges (such as a 20% parasitic loss, and vibration issues) will soon be overcome. Both delivery schemes drastically reduce harmful emissions and increase performance over the use of spark plugs. So the spark plug could soon join the fax machine in the pantheon of antiquated technologies that will never completely disappear. The news release from The University of Liverpool has pictures of the freakin' internal combustion lasers."

Comments

Re:Stupid question

[compro01]

Gasoline will auto-ignite just fine, it's just much trickier to control when it ignites than with spark ignition or diesel ignition.

Mercades has a engine in development called the diesotto that does this.

Re:bs science as usual- and a waste of time/effort

[Bobnova]

I've spent entirely too much time under the hood of a car(21 year auto mechanic), and you are entirely incorrect.
Degrading plug wires either cause a misfire, which is blindingly obvious and kills mileage horribly, or doesn't. There is no middle ground. Plug wire misfires happen maybe once or twice in the 300,000 mile life of a (japanese...) car.
Modern electronic ignition systems are fairly immune to spark plug wear until extreme circumstances, such as missing three tuneups in a row with standard plugs. Then you will sometimes get drivibility issues and lose 1mpg, tops.

Back in the days of points it was different, plug wear and point wear (mostly point wear) had huge effects on mileage between tuneups. These days, the effects are minimal at most.

Re:Stupid question

[confused one]

Those aren't spark plugs, they're glow plugs. different animal altogether. No spark, just a hot wire...

Laser-initiated ordnance systems

[Anonymous Coward]

We used a similar system starting back in the late 1990s for initiating ordnance systems. The primary explosive would be doped with a small amount of carbon black to enhance absorption. One advantage was that specific equipment was required for proper initiation, which (in theory) made it safer.

Dynamite and a laser beam indeed.

Re:Flashing lights

[HTH NE1]

Seems like a good way to get a ticket for impersonating an emergency vehicle.

Indeed. Though it depends on your state, there are restrictions on what lights you can put on a car and in what colors. Many restrict red lights to the back of the car, and some don't allow any light colors than red, white, and yellow on the back of a car (e.g. no neon purple illuminated plate frames). I heard a story from a police officer who pulled someone over just as he left the dealer's lot for having too many high deer lights on his brand new truck; the guy was pissed they'd sold him a car in an illegal configuration.

And just because something is legal in the state in which your car is licensed doesn't mean you won't get ticketed when you cross into another state. Permanent window tinting is another per-state restriction; you may have to drive with your windows open to stay legal, which will suck in states that experience Winter.