H2 PRODUCTION
THE WORD “breakthrough” can get overworked in science news, but Virginia Tech researchers may have a legitimate claim to it. They’ve discovered an efficient way to extract significant quantities of … Continue reading
BUY THE MARQUE, NOT THE CAR
WE ALL love our cars, though personal mobility may be approaching a shift of paradigm. A recent survey of ownership options suggests this. A marketing idea with the Fiat 500e … Continue reading
CLEANER GAS—ALL AROUND
THERE IS recent news that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require cleaner gasoline nationwide (see, for example, http://goo.gl/s5Tc4). As is often the case with such news, it profits from … Continue reading
EV GOOD NEWS
I DISSED the electrified vehicle experience only two days ago (see http://www.wp.me/p2ETap-Uj). However, there are also other EV happenings that suggest a brighter future for battery electrics, hybrids, plug-in hybrids … Continue reading
HYDRAULIC HYBRID
RECENT NEWS concerning Peugeot S.A. and Robert Bosch GmbH makes for technical confusion. The key words are “hydraulic hybrid”—whereas, a better term is “pneumatic hybrid.” Even its developers call the technology Hybrid … Continue reading
48 VOLTS
JOHNSON CONTROLS, a major automaker supplier, has announced it’s developing a 48-volt lithium-ion battery for automobile applications. According to Automotive News, January 21, 2013, an unnamed European automaker (spelled Mercedes-Benz?) … Continue reading
JV CARS
THE “JV” I have in mind is “Joint Venture,” wherein two or more companies share their talents in research, development or production. We’ve seen this big time with Subaru/Toyota and their BRZ/Scion … Continue reading
FUEL CELLS, PEM & SOLID OXIDE
TWO DISTINCT types of fuel cells have been in the news lately. In a sense, both types are known for performing electrolysis in reverse: They take in hydrogen and oxygen … Continue reading
TOYOTA SEMINAR NUGGETS
THIS LAST of five mini-essays on the 2012 Toyota Future Mobility Seminar, held Oct. 16-17 in Denver, collects technological nuggets gleaned there. The price of motor fuels was a recurring … Continue reading
NREL HAPPENINGS
THE NATIONAL Renewable Energy Laboratory hosted attendees of Toyota’s 2012 Future Mobility Seminar at its Golden, Colorado, facilities on Oct. 17. Here are some technical take-aways from a most interesting … Continue reading
