Tag: rides

 

The fuel cell is slowly making its way into commercial products, and technology is refining them as they develop. But there is a new type of fuel cell being developed, and if you had a single word to describe it, it would be tiny.

The solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has a power to size ratio that is 10 times greater than that of the standard hydrogen or alcohol fuel cell. The design allows for a number of fuels to be used, including gasoline. In the past, a SOFC required operating temperatures in excess of 1,600 degrees. However, new designs have dropped that requirement down to only 600 degrees, making them a much more viable alternative.

The SOFC still requires time to reach the 600 degree operating temperature, so it is not the type of engine that you can power up and take off with. However, coupling a SOFC with battery storage should give a vehicle that can be instantly driven while the SOFC is coming online to supplement the charge.

 
 

A SOFC consists of four layers, three of which are ceramics. The ceramics require high temperature to become electrically (and ionically) active, at which point reduction of oxygen into oxygen ions occur at the cathode. The ions can then diffuse through the solid oxide electrolyte to the anode, electrochemically oxidizing the fuel. A water byproduct and electrons are the net result of this, and the electrons flow through an external circuit, doing the required work. As the electrons enter the cathode the cycle repeats. To get more power, the four layers (which are only a few milimeters thick) are stacked as needed.

Imagine having a hybrid vehicle where the power plant to charge the batteries could literally fit in the glove box. It is estimated that a SOFC stack of four inches could power a typical automobile. It does open up the question of service – would it be possible to switch out the diminutive engine in case of a problem? Try that with your typical gas vehicle's engine.

The good news is that testing is set to start early next year, and perhaps we'll see the first SOFC powered vehicle sometime in the near future. 

via 

 

 Cars are everywhere, and in the past they have been a thirsty lot, drinking precious fuel by the barrel and belching toxins by the cubic yard. But the tide is changing, and green mobiles are moving from the design board onto the highways and byways (I just love saying that).

 The infographic below looks at the different types of the most common green vehicle of today and the near future. If you were curious as to the differences between a PHEV, EV, HEV, and a FCEV, then read on for a very informative rundown of green vehicles.

But as technology continues to expand the green vehicle capabilities, we may soon all drive a vehicle that is kinder to the environment while still offering a lot of that get up and go that makes driving fun. And that seems like a pretty good future to me.

 

 

 

 So, you want to be green and do your part by driving an economical and compact vehicle, but you really need a pickup to get the job done.  What is a futuristic hard working person to do?  Well, you could get something like the CarGo and have a little of both.

The CarGo, designed by Adam Schacter, goes from travel pod to pickup with the aid of its folding bed.  As a pickup, it has a flat bed for hauling around whatever you can mange to get on its bed (although I would imagine that there is a modest weight limit).  It also redefines the term "Compact Truck".

 

 

When not in pickup mode, the vehicle shifts to a compact vehicle with a covered (and lockable, we presume) rear shelf compartment.  The design apparently expands or contracts the wheelbase depending on its current mode, allowing  the compact mode to fit in a pretty small parking area.  This makes the CarGo a great choice for limited area delivery vans, and would work well for many of these needs,  I can just imagine the little vehicle doing newspaper deliveries or sporting  a heated compartment for delivering pizzas (among others).

 

 

 

The CarGo is one of the most practical pod type vehicle designs I have seen.  Of course, you have to take into consideration its targeted use, which is city and urban driving in a limited area.  You will not find something like this running the highways –  its payload area is too small to make it practical.  But as a limited area delivery vehicle, or anyone who carries a lot of gear with them someplace (divers, hobbyists, musicians, etc.) it could be a good fit. At least someone has considered a place for your stuff when going compact – George Carlin would be pleased, no doubt.

via