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Car design goes open source
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jan 2004
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BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Hydrogen car to be 'open source'
OK ignoring the issue of if hydrogen is actually a viable energy source, getting the eqv. of 300 miles per gallon is good news but the interesting thing is making the design open source.
Anyone can take the design and improve it for local markets and feed the new designs back into the community.
Tiny electric motors using "ultracapacitors" provide acceleration removing the need for heavy motors.
It even looks OK.
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Apr 2007
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From what I can gather in the article, it uses four electric motors instead of a single larger motor - most likely a zero to negative weight savings.
The real weight savings comes in the "ultracapacitors" (read: battery). It works like most (non-GM) hybrid cars - braking energy is stored in a battery, then released to the electric motors to assist in acceleration. Because of this, it doesn't require as much storage in the main fuel cell, reducing weight.
I'll be interested to see if this actually comes to fruition, and if it does, actual efficiency numbers, not just those used to get hype in press releases.
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"Specific knowledge on a topic usually demonstrates in-depth knowledge."
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
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Except, one HUGE difference. Ultracapactiors will charge in a matter of a few minutes while normal batteries take 6 to 8 hours.
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"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Originally Posted by olePigeon 
Except, one HUGE difference. Ultracapactiors will charge in a matter of a few minutes while normal batteries take 6 to 8 hours.
You're talking about fully charging a battery, not having a battery accept a charge from the vehicle's inertia rotating the electric motor.
Now it's possible the capacitors are able to accept more energy from the battery and discharge it more efficiently. But the concept is still the same as a gasoline hybrid car.
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"Specific knowledge on a topic usually demonstrates in-depth knowledge."
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Addicted to MacNN
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I feel cramped and anxious riding in my wife's Mini. There's no way I'd get into one of those.
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93 93/93
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Why do you feel cramped and anxious, Shaddim?
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Addicted to MacNN
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One could assume from the context of the post that it's the size of the vehicle and the perceived level of safety inside of the vehicle.
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"Specific knowledge on a topic usually demonstrates in-depth knowledge."
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Addicted to MacNN
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You mean, that wasn't obvious? 
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93 93/93
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Mar 2001
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That's why you can't let your gut feeling dictate your choices. Some people feel that airplanes (commercially flown) are not safe to travel in either.
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