NewNergy

NewNergy discusses the latest inventions, innovations and breakthroughs in the energy & environmental sciences.

Silicon Nanotubes for High Efficient Lithium-ion Batteries

Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 posted by posted by Mak @ 12:33 AM

Researchers from Stanford University and Hanyang University in Ansan, Korea, in collaboration with LG Chem (makers of the Chevy Volt battery), have made a breakthrough that could change the future of electric cars. They have shown that by replacing the conventional graphite electrodes in lithium-ion batteries with silicon nanotube electrodes (silicon nanotubes, not the more common carbon nanotubes), 10 times more charge could be stored. This could not only greatly extend the range of electric cars, but it would also make gasoline-electric hybrids more efficient by allowing them to run in electric mode for longer periods.

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Labels: batteries, efficiency, electric-cars

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DOE Lab Develops Smart Charging for Electric Cars

Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 posted by posted by Mak @ 10:29 PM

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory on Thursday said it has developed a smart charger controller designed specifically for charging cars at off-peak times to get the lowest price and ease strain on the grid.

If millions of drivers charged their electric cars during peak times,utilities could strain to meet the demand. In places where there is time-of-day electricity pricing, the PNNL's Smart Charger Controller uses Zigbee wireless networking to get price information and decide on the lowest price for charging.Using smart charging, a car owner could save $150 a year, said PNNL engineer Michael Kintner-Meyer. GM is preparing smart-charging technology to be part of the Chevy Volt electric car due in showrooms in late 2010.

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Labels: electric-cars, technology

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Hybrid Nanocables To Boost Lithium-Ion Battery Technology

Posted on Monday, February 9, 2009 posted by posted by Mak @ 8:15 PM

A team of researchers at Rice University have discovered a hybrid carbon-nanotube/metal-oxide arrays as electrode material that may improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Rice’s nanotubes are grown to look and act like coaxial conducting lines used in cables.Each tube is made up of a manganese oxide shell and a highly conductive carbon nanotube. The two materials combined can hold lots of power and transmit it efficiently.Electrochemical capacitors and fuel cells would also benefit, the researchers said.

Labels: batteries, efficiency, electric-cars

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Hybrid 4 Technology To Reduce CO2 emissions

Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2009 posted by posted by Mak @ 9:30 PM

First seen as a concept at last years Paris Motorshow – Prologue Hybrid 4 – Peugeot’s new 3008 cross-over vehicle can now be revealed in all its glory.Hybrid 4 Technology describes the hybridisation of a traditional engine with an electric motor, in an original layout in engineering terms that also allows the possibility of four wheel drive.

While the traditional engine is located as usual under the bonnet and drives the front wheels, the electric motor is located under the load area floor adjacent to the rear suspension. This technology not only represents a real breakthrough in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (a reduction of around 35%), but also in terms of four wheel drive.

This technology makes it possible to combine dynamic performance with respect for the environment, while at the same time maintaining the benefits of a spacious vehicle. Another important benefit is that there are no mechanical connections between the front diesel engine and the rear electric motor, everything is controlled electronically “by-wire”. This avoids any architectural constraints affecting the interior space and style of the passenger compartment.

The HYbrid 4 technology, which is still under development, was incorporated into the T84 programme from the very outset, since it is fully consistent with the approach adopted for the vehicle. In accordance with the announcement made at the Paris Motor show, the 3008 will be the Group’s first vehicle to be equipped with Hybrid 4 technology. The commercial launch of this four wheel drive hybrid cross-over is planned between now and 2011.

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Labels: co2, electric-cars

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Low temperature fuel cells: Energy Efficient Technology To power Cars and Mobiles

Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 posted by posted by Mak @ 11:13 PM

A new version of an environmentally friendly, energy efficient technology that could replace combustion engines in cars and batteries in mobile devices such as phones and laptops is being researched by Aberdeen experts.

Academics from the University of Aberdeen are investigating the possibility of a new type of low temperature fuel cell.Fuel cells convert fuels into electricity directly without the need for combustion.Low temperature fuel cells could be used to provide power for vehicles, portable devices and small stationary power in a way that is less damaging to the environment than current powering methods.However making fuel cells as common and widely available as the conventional battery or engine is proving difficult because there are several significant challenges that still need to be overcome - including the high cost of the components and the low tolerance of the fuel cell to carbon.

The innovative electrode design will enable the fuel cell to use either carbon-contaminated hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels such as methanol, biofuels or natural gas without the need for upstream reforming - a costly and cumbersome process whereby hydrogen fuels are "cleaned" prior to use. This makes it a more cost effective option than the low temperature fuel cell systems that are currently on the market. The new low temperature fuel cell will be able to use carbon-containing fuels directly and is expected to drastically accelerate fuel cell technology breakthrough into the current market.

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Labels: electric-cars, fuel-cells

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New green car developed using Quantum Technologies

Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2009 posted by posted by Mak @ 3:00 AM

In 2008 many of the top motor shows were dominated by green cars and this year looks to be no different with Fisker Automotive planning to debut a new vehicle at the event.

The manufacturer, which bills itself as a ‘green American premium sports car company’ will be taking the wraps off the Fisker Karma S, which will be powered by a Q-DRIVE powertrain that has been developed in co-operation with Quantum Technologies.The Q-DRIVE technology will give the vehicle a 50 mile range on a single charge to its lithium-ion battery pack. However, there is no sacrifice of power as the vehicle is capable of up to 403 horsepower from two electric motors.

The company is based in Irvine, California, and has also opened up an engineering centre in Pontiac in an effort to streamline its production process.It promises to be an interesting few weeks for the manufacturer, which will announce details of the Karma S at a news conference in the Cobo Centre on January 12.

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Labels: electric-cars, green-car

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Michelin’s Active Wheel electric cars could revolutionise transportation?

Posted on Sunday, January 4, 2009 posted by posted by Mak @ 8:59 PM

Michelin’s new Active Wheel system has been deemed the ‘holy grail of wheel technology’ and potentially the technology that ‘revolutionises transportation’. According to the hype, the Active Wheel frees designers from the restrictions posed by the need for an engine, transmission, drive shaft and exhaust systems.

Basically there is a 14.4lb in-wheel motor that forms the heart of the Active Wheel. It includes a sophisticated active shock absorption system and with its own dedicated motor and disk braking it brings the wheel to a hefty 95lbs. Together the two front wheels deliver 41 horsepower which can spurt up to 82hp in short sprints. The aim is for the Will to travel from 0-62mph in just 10 seconds with a maximum speed of 87mph.

Lithium-ion batteries will be delivered in three configurations with ranges of 93, 186 and 248 miles. The range can be further extended by regenerative braking.The vehicle is expected to go on sale for between €20,000 and €25,000 with a release to the general public set for 2011. The Active Wheels system is also to be featured in the Venturi Volage, scheduled for release in 2012.

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Labels: electric-cars

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General Motors Research May Yield Chevy Volt Electric Car

Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2008 posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 11:23 AM

General Motors Chairman Rick Wagoner announced Tuesday that his board has given the green light to begin manufacturing the Chevy Volt, an extended-range electric vehicle. He pledged to get the Volt into dealerships by late 2010.That would be earlier than the timetable announced by Nissan Motor CEO Carlos Ghosn, who in mid-May said that Nissan would sell large numbers of electric vehicles to U.S. consumers by 2012 and would offer electric cars for corporate fleets in 2010.

Across GE's production line, work is under way to use new battery technologies to help propel tugboats, power delivery trucks and heavy machinery and even support diesel locomotives.

Lithium-ion batteries, which revolutionized consumer electronics, are being developed to power cars. Not only do they store more energy in smaller spaces, but they also lose their charges slowly. Several carmakers and GE are racing to develop new kinds of lithium-ion batteries for autos.

Full report here -Research may yield an electric car

Labels: autos, electric-cars

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Queensland scientist Peter Rays Claims Super-conduction Breakthrough

Posted on posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 2:03 AM

A retired Queensland scientist says he has developed technology that could fast-track the widespread use of electric cars.

Peter Rays - from Stanthorpe - says he has been able to create super-conduction at room temperature, allowing more electrical current to flow through a substance.

He says the discovery has significant uses in computer and microwave technology and could see electric cars recharged in less than five minutes.

Labels: electric-cars, inventions

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Tesla Roadster: Electric Car Breakthrough?

Posted on posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 2:02 AM

The Tesla Roadster, despite being a 100% electric car, is considered by its makers as a sports car. And yes, the Roadster does have stunning looks that makes it look like a legitimate sports car. But even better is the fact that it is a legitimate sports car. 0-60 mph in just 3.9 and the top speed of a little more than 130 mph. The car is also capable of delivering an amazing 13,000 rpm. All that without burning any fuel.

The car truly gives the best of both worlds. It gives the thrill of speed (its acceleration rate beats the Porsche 911 GT3) without the environmental and monetary side effects of a gas guzzling super car engine. Other benefits include the fact that the Tesla Roadster can travel 220 miles before recharging. The elictrical cost to the owner would be roughly two cents per mile. That is like the equivalent of having a 135 MPG car that can still deliver the way performance oriented sports cars should deliver. It is one truly enticing car.

Full story from here - Tesla Roadster: Electric Car Breakthrough?

Labels: autos, design, electric-cars

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Nissan Says Newer Lithium Batteries Improve Electric Car Range

Posted on posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 1:53 AM

Advances in lithium-ion battery technology will boost the range of electric vehicles to 400 kilometers (248 miles) by 2015, the head of research and development at Nissan Motor Co. said Wednesday.

Mitsuhiko Yamashita, Nissan's executive vice president for research and development, said advances in lithium-ion battery technology will dramatically boost the operating range of electric vehicles, potentially broadening their appeal. The breakthrough will come with so-called fourth-generation lithium-ion batteries that will be ready by 2015, he said.

GM Volt To Be a Game Changing Hybrid?

Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 10:18 PM

Whenone of the world’s mightiest corporations throws everything it’s got at a project, and when it shreds its rule book in the process, the results are likely to be impressive. Still, even for General Motors, the Volt is a reach. If it meets specifications, it will charge up overnight from any standard electrical socket. It will go 40 miles on a charge. Then a small gasoline engine will ignite. The engine’s sole job will be to drive a generator, whose sole job will be to maintain the battery’s charge—not to drive the wheels, which will never see anything but electricity. In generator mode, the car will drive hundreds of miles on a tank of gas, at about 50 miles per gallon. But about three-fourths of Americans commute less than 40 miles a day, so on most days most Volt drivers would use no gas at all.

Because it will have both an electric and a gasoline motor on board, the Volt will be a hybrid. But it will be like no hybrid on the road today. Existing hybrids are gasoline-powered cars, with an electric assist to improve the gas mileage. The Volt will be an electric-powered car, with a gasoline assist to increase the battery’s range.

Source: Electro-Shock Therapy

Labels: autos, electric-cars, electricity, hybrids

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GM 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid's EVT Offers Fuel Economy

Posted on posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 10:13 PM

The 2-Mode Hybrid system uses a new, electrically variable transmission (EVT) that offers the best of both worlds: fuel economy and real SUV capability. The two modes consist of a continuously variable operation, for low-load driving situations and a fixed-gear operation, for high-load conditions such as towing or highway driving.

Drawing on experience gleaned in the development of hybrid bus propulsion systems, GM designed the two-mode EVT to provide the best combination of city and highway fuel economy; it is used in concert with the 6.0L Gen IV V-8 engine with Active Fuel Management. Furthermore, the EVT is designed to bolt directly to the standard four-wheel-drive transfer case found on the gasoline-only models for true four-wheel-drive capability.

The Escalade Hybrid’s drivetrain is made up of components, each of which works together to provide seamless, economical and comfortable operation that goes virtually unnoticed by the driver ...

Source: 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Labels: autos, efficiency, electric-cars, hybrids

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E-Zip 2008 Trailz - The $350 Electric Commuter Bike

Posted on Monday, May 5, 2008 posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 7:55 PM

The E-Zip 2008 Trailz is an electric bike by Currie Technologies. This electric bike is quite inexpensive -- compared with $700 up to $3000 for other bikes.

Using the electric motor on this bike is simple -- once you've started pedaling, you can turn the throttle, and the motor kicks in, giving you an immediate boost. The range of a fully-charged battery is about 10 miles -- and this could be made to something like 30-40 miles with some modifications or depending on the type of activity you use it for.

If you use this bike for a commute that is 20 miles or less, this could be an ideal alternative transport mechanism for you. It was easy to achieve speeds of 25 mph while pedaling lightly.

So while bike is heavy and lithium-ion batteries would be nice, it's certainly an inexpensive way to enter the world of electric biking.

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Labels: electric-cars, electricity

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Lithium batteries ready for the 3rd Gen. Prius

Posted on Monday, May 14, 2007 posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 5:03 AM

Lithium batteries ready for the 3rd Gen. Prius

Toyota's lithium batteries ready to go - May 11, 2007

The biggest issue regarding the third iteration of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive has been the lithium-ion batteries, and how soon those batteries could be available...
A Toyota executive recently announced today that Toyota's lithium-ion battery, under development with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., was technically ready to be mounted on hybrid cars "any time"...

Read the full report from here @ Hybrid Car Blog

Labels: batteries, electric-cars, hybrids, inventions

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China’s Automakers, With Beijing’s Prodding, Show Alternative-Fuel Cars

Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2007 posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 7:46 AM

China’s Automakers, With Beijing’s Prodding, Show Alternative-Fuel Cars

By Keith Bradsher, April 21, 2007

SHANGHAI, April 20 — Chinese automakers, under pressure from the government to produce more fuel-efficient cars, unveiled an unexpectedly broad array of prototypes for fuel-cell cars, gasoline-electric hybrid cars and electric battery cars at the Shanghai auto show recently.

The variety and sophistication of the cars showed a striking improvement not just since the last Shanghai auto show two years ago

Read the full report from here @ NY Times

Labels: autos, electric-cars, events, fuel-cells, hybrids

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In Quest for Cleaner Energy, Texas City Touts Plug-In Car

Posted on Monday, March 26, 2007 posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 1:15 AM

In Quest for Cleaner Energy, Texas City Touts Plug-In Car

AUSTIN, Texas -- Austin city Mayor Will Wynn is pushing a new version of the electric car called the plug-in, which runs almost entirely on electricity and has a big rechargeable battery. Mayor Wynn envisions the parked electric cars plugging into a network operated by the city's utility, which would then use the powerful car batteries as a big storage system from which to draw power

Source: WSJ

Labels: electric-cars, electricity

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