Monday, January 12, 2009
Kelsey Schwarz- Response to 4,5,6
I agree with Morgan, it's easy to tell that you are really interested in your topic and you enjoy researching it. I think that you're doing a great job. You're finding really good articles that are packed full with information. Reading your responses are my favorite part because you take your time to thoroughly think out what you read and you give in depth responses. Maybe you could talk with an owner of a car company or someone who manufactures cars to get an idea of what they think will come about in the future.
Aimee Response Reflection
Hayden, I like your comment about calling Obama a communist and a soviet. However, I think it was an interesting choice to involve politic in your I-search. Have you found any information about solar powered cars? Motorcycles are not cars, but are you going to include all vehicles as well now? Your notes are neat and informative, and your comments follow them. Keep it up!
Morgan's response # 3
You can tell how intrested you are in this topic, it shows through in your writting. One thing you need to work on is carying on the information from your acticles, not just repeating it,in that you can just make connections between your articles.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Is electric the road ahead?- Response (6)
I would have to disagree with Mr. Moroney regarding several points. I disagree with his belief that the Irish government’s recently announced target of having 10 per cent of all registered vehicles running on electric power by 2020, "seems a little far-fetched." I believe that it is entirely likely that by 2020, over 10% of the world's vehicles will run on electric power. This seems quite a reasonable goal considering that electric cars are already available and will continue to become more economically priced over the next 11 years. I think that once electric cars are affordable, people will quickly adopt them.
I think that it is only fair that electric car owners receive the most tax breaks as they produce the least carbon emissions. I also believe that electric cars are the most promising. Hybrid vehicles still produce carbon emissions so they do not deserve equal tax cuts. Biofuels cause the price of food to escalate because they have farmers devoting land to fuel-production instead of feeding people. Fuel cell cars are the most expensive and difficult to produce of all. Hydrogen production also requires fossil fuels and produces greenhouse gases.
Moroney also suggests that the electricity to supply electric cars comes from plants run by fossil fuels and therefore offers no great advantage over gasoline-powered cars. I think that there will be an increasing supply of renewable energy as technology advances and facilities increase in size and number. This includes large wind farms and large solar installations.
Overall, I think Moroney underestimates the advantages of electric cars over the other alternative vehicle types.
I think that it is only fair that electric car owners receive the most tax breaks as they produce the least carbon emissions. I also believe that electric cars are the most promising. Hybrid vehicles still produce carbon emissions so they do not deserve equal tax cuts. Biofuels cause the price of food to escalate because they have farmers devoting land to fuel-production instead of feeding people. Fuel cell cars are the most expensive and difficult to produce of all. Hydrogen production also requires fossil fuels and produces greenhouse gases.
Moroney also suggests that the electricity to supply electric cars comes from plants run by fossil fuels and therefore offers no great advantage over gasoline-powered cars. I think that there will be an increasing supply of renewable energy as technology advances and facilities increase in size and number. This includes large wind farms and large solar installations.
Overall, I think Moroney underestimates the advantages of electric cars over the other alternative vehicle types.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Is electric the road ahead? (6)
I found this article at http://www.meathchronicle.ie/articles/1/34520.
The article explains how the Irish Government’s recently announced their target of having 10% of all registered vehicles running with electric power by 2020. The author, Michael Moroney, believes this target seems a little far-fetched. This plan would require more than 250,000 cars to convert from gasoline to a plug-in, electric engines.
To entice people to convert to more fuel efficient vehicles, the Irish government is giving tax cuts based on carbon emissions. The government is also giving additional tax cuts to drivers of electric cars but Moroney thinks that this policy may be heading in the wrong direction. He believes that equal tax cuts should be given to owners of biofuel, hybrid and hydrogen powered cars.
Moroney does point out that electric cars will need to be charged with electricity that is generated from plants run by coal, oil, and natural gas. All of these produce CO2. Ireland acquires only about 2% of its energy through renewable resources. Ireland, however, does have great potential for wind turbines.
Hydrogen production is still dependant on methane, a fossil fuel, as a source. Hydrogen fuel cells have not been perfected for use in everyday automobiles and remain expensive. So far, fuel cell cars have cost about 20 times the cost of gasoline-powered cars, but Moroney believes this will change soon.
The article explains how the Irish Government’s recently announced their target of having 10% of all registered vehicles running with electric power by 2020. The author, Michael Moroney, believes this target seems a little far-fetched. This plan would require more than 250,000 cars to convert from gasoline to a plug-in, electric engines.
To entice people to convert to more fuel efficient vehicles, the Irish government is giving tax cuts based on carbon emissions. The government is also giving additional tax cuts to drivers of electric cars but Moroney thinks that this policy may be heading in the wrong direction. He believes that equal tax cuts should be given to owners of biofuel, hybrid and hydrogen powered cars.
Moroney does point out that electric cars will need to be charged with electricity that is generated from plants run by coal, oil, and natural gas. All of these produce CO2. Ireland acquires only about 2% of its energy through renewable resources. Ireland, however, does have great potential for wind turbines.
Hydrogen production is still dependant on methane, a fossil fuel, as a source. Hydrogen fuel cells have not been perfected for use in everyday automobiles and remain expensive. So far, fuel cell cars have cost about 20 times the cost of gasoline-powered cars, but Moroney believes this will change soon.
Electric-Car Battery Makers Seek Federal Funds- Response (5)
This article suggests that the United States is about five years behind the Japanese companies in the production of lithium-ion batteries. I agree with Jim Greenberger because since the United States is losing to Asian countries, big companies and start-ups in the U.S. need to band together to build a lithium-ion battery industry. I think that the U.S. could initially help these start-ups through government money but eventually the companies will become independent.
One reason Mr. Greenberger believes that we are behind Japan in the development and production of lithium-ion batteries is that “We’re really good on theory and basic science,” he said. “It’s putting that theory into production where we’re falling down.” I think that America needs to concentrate on improving its ability to produce the next generation of high-tech batteries to compete successfully with Japan. We need to focus on building better, more productive factories.
Barrack Obama is planning to spend as much as a trillion dollars on infrastructure improvements and alternative energy technology to stimulate the economy. I think that an ideal use of this money would be to invest in American companies that build electric batteries for the electric cars to come. If we could build the best electric car batteries in the world, this would help us build the best electric cars in the world. This would help the American automobile manufacturing industry, create jobs, and improve the American economy.
One reason Mr. Greenberger believes that we are behind Japan in the development and production of lithium-ion batteries is that “We’re really good on theory and basic science,” he said. “It’s putting that theory into production where we’re falling down.” I think that America needs to concentrate on improving its ability to produce the next generation of high-tech batteries to compete successfully with Japan. We need to focus on building better, more productive factories.
Barrack Obama is planning to spend as much as a trillion dollars on infrastructure improvements and alternative energy technology to stimulate the economy. I think that an ideal use of this money would be to invest in American companies that build electric batteries for the electric cars to come. If we could build the best electric car batteries in the world, this would help us build the best electric cars in the world. This would help the American automobile manufacturing industry, create jobs, and improve the American economy.
Electric-Car Battery Makers Seek Federal Funds (5)
I found this article at http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/electric-car-battery-makers-seek-federal-funds/?hp.
In this article, Jim Greenberger, a lawyer specializing in clean technology, is interviewed. He says, "In the race to make the lithium-ion batteries that will run the electric cars of the future, the United States is losing to Asian countries, and start-ups and big companies need to band together to build a lithium-ion battery industry in the United States."
The group called the National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Battery Cell Manufacture is modeled after Sematech, which in the 1980s raised $990 million in federal grants and private investment to keep semiconductor manufacturing in the United States.
The alliance plans to introduce a proposal in Congress in January to raise $1 billion to $2 billion for lithium-ion battery manufacturing in the United States.
Lithium-ion batteries, besides eliminating the need for petroleum, are three times as efficient as internal combustion engines in typical cars, Mr. Greenberger said. Furthermore, they can be charged by alternative sources of energy like wind or solar.
According to Mr. Greenberger, the initiative would require American companies to change their independant mode of opperating and could fail if certain companies went their own way and raised money from their state representatives, instead of going after a pool of government money for all lithium-ion battery makers.
"We’re really good on theory and basic science,” he said. “It’s putting that theory into production where we’re falling down.”
“We’re trying through the alliance to come up with a way and mechanism to work on an industrywide basis rather than everyone off for themselves,” he said. Otherwise, each company “will be crushed in turn by the Panasonics of the world."
In this article, Jim Greenberger, a lawyer specializing in clean technology, is interviewed. He says, "In the race to make the lithium-ion batteries that will run the electric cars of the future, the United States is losing to Asian countries, and start-ups and big companies need to band together to build a lithium-ion battery industry in the United States."
The group called the National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Battery Cell Manufacture is modeled after Sematech, which in the 1980s raised $990 million in federal grants and private investment to keep semiconductor manufacturing in the United States.
The alliance plans to introduce a proposal in Congress in January to raise $1 billion to $2 billion for lithium-ion battery manufacturing in the United States.
Lithium-ion batteries, besides eliminating the need for petroleum, are three times as efficient as internal combustion engines in typical cars, Mr. Greenberger said. Furthermore, they can be charged by alternative sources of energy like wind or solar.
According to Mr. Greenberger, the initiative would require American companies to change their independant mode of opperating and could fail if certain companies went their own way and raised money from their state representatives, instead of going after a pool of government money for all lithium-ion battery makers.
"We’re really good on theory and basic science,” he said. “It’s putting that theory into production where we’re falling down.”
“We’re trying through the alliance to come up with a way and mechanism to work on an industrywide basis rather than everyone off for themselves,” he said. Otherwise, each company “will be crushed in turn by the Panasonics of the world."
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Who Killed the Electric Car? - ***Extra Post***
Last weekend I watched a movie called "Who Killed the Electric Car." It is a documentary made in 2006 explaining the reasons why electric cars haven't been successful in the United States so far. The film is very informative and gives many differs viewpoints. This makes it very important to read the titles of the speakers when they are interviewed, because if someone said "electric cars are ridiculous" it would have little meaning coming from the CEO of an oil company.
The film discusses the reasons why an electric car called the "EV 1" was recalled in 2003 by its maker, General Motors. It is difficult to summarize "Who ruined the future of the electric car and why?" in a single sentence because many people are responsible. Many suspects are listed throughout the film such as American car companies, Oil companies and the California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.).
Towards the end of the movie, the "verdicts" were reached.
Car companies are guilty because they actively tried to recall electric cars fearing they would not sell as well as their gas-powered cars. They tried to reverse rules making them build electric cars.
Oil companies are guilty because they put economic pressure on car companies to stay away from electric cars, as this would cause the oil companies to lose money.
Batteries were ruled innocent because scientists believe that in several years battery technology would have developed enough for electric cars to be competitive with, if not better than, gas-powered cars.
The California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.) is guilty because speaker Alan C. Lloyd, chairman of C.A.R.B., undermined the rules that California had made to require car companies to make electric cars.
Consumers are also guilty because when many Americans think of sensible energy policy, they think that they are being forced "to drive a small car" and essentially "live like a European."
The federal government is also guilty because they sided with the oil and car companies in recalling the cars, and instead the government also gave huge amounts of money towards the production of fuel cell cars.
Hydrogen fuel cells are guilty as well, because electric cars have technologically surpassed them, and it would takes decades and billions of dollars before hydrogen powered cars were a viable solution.
The film discusses the reasons why an electric car called the "EV 1" was recalled in 2003 by its maker, General Motors. It is difficult to summarize "Who ruined the future of the electric car and why?" in a single sentence because many people are responsible. Many suspects are listed throughout the film such as American car companies, Oil companies and the California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.).
Towards the end of the movie, the "verdicts" were reached.
Car companies are guilty because they actively tried to recall electric cars fearing they would not sell as well as their gas-powered cars. They tried to reverse rules making them build electric cars.
Oil companies are guilty because they put economic pressure on car companies to stay away from electric cars, as this would cause the oil companies to lose money.
Batteries were ruled innocent because scientists believe that in several years battery technology would have developed enough for electric cars to be competitive with, if not better than, gas-powered cars.
The California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.) is guilty because speaker Alan C. Lloyd, chairman of C.A.R.B., undermined the rules that California had made to require car companies to make electric cars.
Consumers are also guilty because when many Americans think of sensible energy policy, they think that they are being forced "to drive a small car" and essentially "live like a European."
The federal government is also guilty because they sided with the oil and car companies in recalling the cars, and instead the government also gave huge amounts of money towards the production of fuel cell cars.
Hydrogen fuel cells are guilty as well, because electric cars have technologically surpassed them, and it would takes decades and billions of dollars before hydrogen powered cars were a viable solution.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
It Takes a Village to Sell an Electric Car- Response (4)
This article shows that car companies realize they need the proper infrastructure if they are going to be successful selling electric cars. If people can't charge their batteries outside their homes, or trade their discharges batteries for charged batteries at convenient locations, then they won't start buying electric cars.
Car companies want cities and states to install charging stations in public spaces and they want companies to install them at their businesses and parking lots. Nissan wants to introduc its electric car in 2010 to a region that has the proper infrastructure in place. In 2012 they hope to be able to introduce them to the "mass market."
Nissan is trying to set-up battery swapping station in several countries as well as Hawaii and San Francisco. These station would look like car-washes and exchange their recharged batteries for discharged batteries.
Electric companies need to help establish standards for charging so that charging stations and batteries would be compatable. They also need to prepare for the extra electricity required to charge a large number of electric cars. It is estimated that when 60% of cars are electric, this will amount to 7-8% of power grid usage.
Also, if people installed 240-volt outlets in their garages, it would decrease the charging time for cars like the Chevrolet Volt to 3 hours compared to 8 hours with a normal 120-volt outlet.
This information shows that it takes much more to become an electric car country than just electric cars.
Car companies want cities and states to install charging stations in public spaces and they want companies to install them at their businesses and parking lots. Nissan wants to introduc its electric car in 2010 to a region that has the proper infrastructure in place. In 2012 they hope to be able to introduce them to the "mass market."
Nissan is trying to set-up battery swapping station in several countries as well as Hawaii and San Francisco. These station would look like car-washes and exchange their recharged batteries for discharged batteries.
Electric companies need to help establish standards for charging so that charging stations and batteries would be compatable. They also need to prepare for the extra electricity required to charge a large number of electric cars. It is estimated that when 60% of cars are electric, this will amount to 7-8% of power grid usage.
Also, if people installed 240-volt outlets in their garages, it would decrease the charging time for cars like the Chevrolet Volt to 3 hours compared to 8 hours with a normal 120-volt outlet.
This information shows that it takes much more to become an electric car country than just electric cars.
It Takes a Village to Sell an Electric Car (4)
I found this article at http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10122072-54.html.
The article is about how car companies intend to target places where governments are willing to provide incentives to purchase plug-in electric cars and install charging stations. Utilities, too, need to be involved so that the grid doesn't become stressed by a rush of electric cars.
Tony Posawatz, vehicle line director of the Chevy Volt said, "General Motors is already coordinating with industry partners, community leaders, and utilities to ensure that the apparent strong demand for the Chevy Volt--due in November 2010--will have the infrastructure to back it up."
Cities or states could create incentives to install charging "pedestals" in urban neighborhoods or other public spaces. Similarly, businesses or parking lot owners could install charging ports.
With a good charging infrastructure in place, auto makers hope that mainstream consumers, rather than just early adopters, will have a positive experience with plug-in electric cars.
Nissan is considering a battery swapping program, something that start-up Better Place plans to set up in a number of countries, Hawaii, and the San Fransisco Bay area. The idea is to avoid the problem of a car's limited battery range by having a network of locations where drivers can swap fresh batteries in for depleted ones. These would resemble car washes.
"Other auto makers are taking a similar region-by-region approach," said David Patterson, senior manager for research and development at Mitsubishi Motors in North America, "Mitshubishi's electric subcompact, the iMiev, has been testing a fast charging infrastructure with seven Japanese utilities capable of replenishing battery charge to 80 percent in 30 minutes."
The article is about how car companies intend to target places where governments are willing to provide incentives to purchase plug-in electric cars and install charging stations. Utilities, too, need to be involved so that the grid doesn't become stressed by a rush of electric cars.
Tony Posawatz, vehicle line director of the Chevy Volt said, "General Motors is already coordinating with industry partners, community leaders, and utilities to ensure that the apparent strong demand for the Chevy Volt--due in November 2010--will have the infrastructure to back it up."
Cities or states could create incentives to install charging "pedestals" in urban neighborhoods or other public spaces. Similarly, businesses or parking lot owners could install charging ports.
With a good charging infrastructure in place, auto makers hope that mainstream consumers, rather than just early adopters, will have a positive experience with plug-in electric cars.
Nissan is considering a battery swapping program, something that start-up Better Place plans to set up in a number of countries, Hawaii, and the San Fransisco Bay area. The idea is to avoid the problem of a car's limited battery range by having a network of locations where drivers can swap fresh batteries in for depleted ones. These would resemble car washes.
"Other auto makers are taking a similar region-by-region approach," said David Patterson, senior manager for research and development at Mitsubishi Motors in North America, "Mitshubishi's electric subcompact, the iMiev, has been testing a fast charging infrastructure with seven Japanese utilities capable of replenishing battery charge to 80 percent in 30 minutes."
Chaunceys Second Response
Liam, your response are very through and easy to read. I agree with you that the automobile industry should be bail out if they use the money wisely. I think it would be great if hybrid and electric cars could be very good for today's economic but they are to expensive. I think it would be cool if you could interview someone from the auto industry about more fuel efficient cars, that would be really neat. Also, it would cool to do some research on how electric cars will negativly affect the economy, since gas wouldn't be bought as much.
Keep the good work!
Keep the good work!
Katrina's Second Post
Wow, you're doing a really good job. It's so fascinating to hear about how energy efficient cars are progressing. I think the key to a good car being created is that its cheap, spacious, and comfortable of course, but also that there are 'fuel' stations around the country so that you don't buy the car and then have no where to refuel. If the car is an electric car that is plugged into your house then people, might worry about going on trips. Looking into Obama's plan for things like this would be really, really interesting to see how the government is going to deal with this problem because one things for sure, we need a solution fast. It would also be very informitive to find a chart somewhere or just some way to compare the budgets that different companys have for creating more fuel efficient cars. You have a great blog so far.
Hey, I just found this when digging around for Barack's green plan.. i don't know if it would be helpful, but it seems like a great idea for people who live in citys to use small yet useful electric cars to zip around. When I went to France a couple years back, there were sooo many smart cars, America should jump on the band-wagon.
Hey, I just found this when digging around for Barack's green plan.. i don't know if it would be helpful, but it seems like a great idea for people who live in citys to use small yet useful electric cars to zip around. When I went to France a couple years back, there were sooo many smart cars, America should jump on the band-wagon.
Cole- Second Response
Liam, i really like the topic you chose, it is really interesting and there will be a lot of information on the subject. It is cool that you are researching the different types of cars and how they work and the problems with them. I got really excited when I saw your post on the Tesla Roadster. There is a reaaaaaaaly good 60 Minutes episode that goes over all of the aspects of the car and the new company. It also talks about the other car companies and their disadvantages, advantages, and mostly shortcomings. I'm not sure if you'll be able to find it but if you can I'm sure it would be very interesting for you to watch.
Hayden- Second Response
I really liked your topic and how you're learning about how new cars are being made and how they overall deliver what people want from a car. I think it would be interesting if you got in to what kind of technology is being used to make these cars work. If you were to concider how gas cars can potentialy be made more fuel efficient you would be able to make a comparison of gas vs. electric.
Jackson's second response
Liam- it really seems that this topic interests you. All of your responses are shockingly thorough and interesting (compared to mine). I really liked the article and response about GM and their effort to produce electric cars. I think you should do another article on GM and their rejected request for a bailout, since its all over the news right now and is very relevant to your topic. I remember watching the video in Chemistry about the Tesla Roadster; it is amazing that it can travel 200 miles on a single charge, and that a charge-up only costs two dollars! That's like getting 175 miles per gallon in a gas powered car! This is a very interesting topic and you're doing a good job researching it and finding informative articles.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Excellent notes and responses
Strong research and thoughtful responses, Liam! Also, nice inclusion of pictures that relate to your topic. Keep exploring and finding information - I'm impressed with your work thus far.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
G.M.'s Latest Great Green Hope is a Tall Order- Response (3)
Currently the United States is in the middle of an economic recession, the three major American car companies are failing, and global warming will soon become a huge problem. I think that if G.M. continues to make fuel-efficient or electric cars like the Volt they can help greatly with all three of these issues.
First of all, by manufacturing and selling these cars, G.M. will work its way out of debt and help the U.S. economy. G.M., as well as Chrysler and Ford, may need government aid to initially switch over to hybrid and plug-in electric cars, but I believe that they deserve a bailout as long as all the money is only spent manufacturing fuel-efficient cars.
Secondly, these cars will greatly reduce pollution generated by the United States. In several years I would expect a large number of wealthy people to switch to the electric cars, and eventually average Americans will also make the transition. I think it would be reasonable to expect, that in about twenty years, nearly all Americans will be driving a hybrid or an all electric vehicle. We will greatly reduce our total production of greenhouse gases, especially if other industrially developed countries such as in Europe and Japan (and maybe even China) switch over to hybrid-electric automobiles.
I predict that in the future these cars will become significantly cheaper as technology advances, production techniques improve, and these cars are manufactured in large numbers. Since the battery accounts for a large amount of the car's cost, and battery prices are expected to fall significantly, the total price will become thousands of dollars cheaper. The Volt will cost about $40,000 initially, but perhaps decrease to $30,000 as lithium-ion battery become less expensive.
First of all, by manufacturing and selling these cars, G.M. will work its way out of debt and help the U.S. economy. G.M., as well as Chrysler and Ford, may need government aid to initially switch over to hybrid and plug-in electric cars, but I believe that they deserve a bailout as long as all the money is only spent manufacturing fuel-efficient cars.
Secondly, these cars will greatly reduce pollution generated by the United States. In several years I would expect a large number of wealthy people to switch to the electric cars, and eventually average Americans will also make the transition. I think it would be reasonable to expect, that in about twenty years, nearly all Americans will be driving a hybrid or an all electric vehicle. We will greatly reduce our total production of greenhouse gases, especially if other industrially developed countries such as in Europe and Japan (and maybe even China) switch over to hybrid-electric automobiles.
I predict that in the future these cars will become significantly cheaper as technology advances, production techniques improve, and these cars are manufactured in large numbers. Since the battery accounts for a large amount of the car's cost, and battery prices are expected to fall significantly, the total price will become thousands of dollars cheaper. The Volt will cost about $40,000 initially, but perhaps decrease to $30,000 as lithium-ion battery become less expensive.
G.M.'s Latest Great Green Hope is a Tall Order (3)
I found this article at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/business/22volt.html?_r=2&emc=eta1.
This past week was the Los Angeles Auto Show where car companies displayed their newest car models. The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in electric hybrid arriving in showrooms in late 2010 with the General Motor's survival depending on its success. In the past GM has lost a lot of money by trying to sell many fuel-inefficient cars that few people now buy. By selling fuel-efficient cars now, GM is trying to convince congress that they are worthy of financial help.
In advertisements that ran this week, the company said: “This is not just a car. It’s a vision of our future.” Another claimed that the vehicle would “completely reinvent the automotive industry.” The Volt is a big long-term bet. New vehicles typically cost $1 billion to develop, and the Volt requires new technology that probably inflated that price tag even more. G.M. says the car, which is scheduled to arrive in showrooms two years from now, will be able to travel 40 miles on a charge, but it will also have a small gas engine to extend the range to as much as 640 miles using both the battery and gasoline. The 1.4 liter, four-cylinder engine is intended to run a generator that will power the car and recharge the batteries once they are depleted.
The Volt is expected to cost about $40,000. Ron Pinelli, president of MotorIntelligence.com, an industry analysis firm, commented, “If you’re Joe the Commuter, you’re not going to spend $40,000 on an electric car. It’s insane.”
Other lawmakers questioned whether G.M. might run short of money for the Volt without federal assistance. But G.M.'s chief executive, Rick Wagoner, said in a television interview last week that G.M. was making sure it had money to keep developing the car.
Jon Lauckner, G.M. vice president for global program management, stated. “We’re moving from a model where the primary power plant is no longer an internal combustion engine. It’s an electric motor.” and also that “It’s a huge change in the whole paradigm of where cars have been.”
Many carmakers, including Mitsubishi, Nissan and BMW, have plug-ins under development. Toyota said last year that it was working on a plug-in hybrid vehicle that would be available by 2010, meaning it could conceivably beat the Volt. Toyota has not said whether it will sell the vehicle to the public or only to fleet customers.
This past week was the Los Angeles Auto Show where car companies displayed their newest car models. The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in electric hybrid arriving in showrooms in late 2010 with the General Motor's survival depending on its success. In the past GM has lost a lot of money by trying to sell many fuel-inefficient cars that few people now buy. By selling fuel-efficient cars now, GM is trying to convince congress that they are worthy of financial help.
In advertisements that ran this week, the company said: “This is not just a car. It’s a vision of our future.” Another claimed that the vehicle would “completely reinvent the automotive industry.” The Volt is a big long-term bet. New vehicles typically cost $1 billion to develop, and the Volt requires new technology that probably inflated that price tag even more. G.M. says the car, which is scheduled to arrive in showrooms two years from now, will be able to travel 40 miles on a charge, but it will also have a small gas engine to extend the range to as much as 640 miles using both the battery and gasoline. The 1.4 liter, four-cylinder engine is intended to run a generator that will power the car and recharge the batteries once they are depleted.
The Volt is expected to cost about $40,000. Ron Pinelli, president of MotorIntelligence.com, an industry analysis firm, commented, “If you’re Joe the Commuter, you’re not going to spend $40,000 on an electric car. It’s insane.”
Other lawmakers questioned whether G.M. might run short of money for the Volt without federal assistance. But G.M.'s chief executive, Rick Wagoner, said in a television interview last week that G.M. was making sure it had money to keep developing the car.
Jon Lauckner, G.M. vice president for global program management, stated. “We’re moving from a model where the primary power plant is no longer an internal combustion engine. It’s an electric motor.” and also that “It’s a huge change in the whole paradigm of where cars have been.”
Many carmakers, including Mitsubishi, Nissan and BMW, have plug-ins under development. Toyota said last year that it was working on a plug-in hybrid vehicle that would be available by 2010, meaning it could conceivably beat the Volt. Toyota has not said whether it will sell the vehicle to the public or only to fleet customers.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tesla Roadster--Response (2)
This was an interesting road-test article of the Tesla Roadster. I first saw this car in a movie called Batteries during Chemistry class.
Many people have concerns and questions about fuel-efficient and alternative energy cars. They are very comfortable with gasoline powered cars, but suspicious of new technology. From the articles I have recently viewed regarding fuel cell and electric cars, differences in performance are relatively minor. Both of these types of cars seem competitive with many gasoline-powered automobiles.
I thought it was amazing how the Tesla Roadster can travel over 200 miles on a single battery charge, and its only costs two dollars to recharge the battery. These cars are very expensive, though recharging is so inexpensive compared to gasoline, they might become cheaper than conventional cars, particularly if the price of gas climbs again.
There is one problem with these cars compared to fuel cell cars. They do use electricity which mostly comes from power plants that burn coal, oil and natural gas. In the future, maybe these greenhouse-gas producing plants will be replaced with wind, hydro or solar energy.
My two topics of fuel cells and electric cars could possibly be combined with stations run by fuel cells to replace gas stations. These stations could either recharge your car (which would probably take a few hours) or the stations could accept discharged batteries and some money in exchange for a recharged battery. Batteries would have to be standardized for this idea to work.
In the coming weeks I will be looking for articles about how electric batteries will be recharged and how hydrogen for fuel cells, might be distributed.
Many people have concerns and questions about fuel-efficient and alternative energy cars. They are very comfortable with gasoline powered cars, but suspicious of new technology. From the articles I have recently viewed regarding fuel cell and electric cars, differences in performance are relatively minor. Both of these types of cars seem competitive with many gasoline-powered automobiles.
I thought it was amazing how the Tesla Roadster can travel over 200 miles on a single battery charge, and its only costs two dollars to recharge the battery. These cars are very expensive, though recharging is so inexpensive compared to gasoline, they might become cheaper than conventional cars, particularly if the price of gas climbs again.
There is one problem with these cars compared to fuel cell cars. They do use electricity which mostly comes from power plants that burn coal, oil and natural gas. In the future, maybe these greenhouse-gas producing plants will be replaced with wind, hydro or solar energy.
My two topics of fuel cells and electric cars could possibly be combined with stations run by fuel cells to replace gas stations. These stations could either recharge your car (which would probably take a few hours) or the stations could accept discharged batteries and some money in exchange for a recharged battery. Batteries would have to be standardized for this idea to work.
In the coming weeks I will be looking for articles about how electric batteries will be recharged and how hydrogen for fuel cells, might be distributed.
Tesla Roadster (2)
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/convertibles/112_0810_2009_tesla_roadster_one_speed/index.html
This is an article published on November 3, 2008 by Paul Horrell, who normally tests regular gasoline powered cars with a leading American automobile magazine. In his piece, he test drives the electric Tesla Roadster.
Overall he is extremely impressed. It has a single-speed transmission which replaced the previous two-speed transmission. He thought that the acceleration was tremendous. Tesla has tested the car's acceleration at 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. Horrell comments on the acceleration: "And it's not just accurate and progressive, it's instant: as fast as you can stretch your foot, this thing delivers."
The Roadster also function like many hybrid cars in that it recovers energy when braking, but it also recovers energy whenever the accellerator is not being pressed. This is because the car partially brakes, causing resistance and energy which is stored in the battery.
Horrell gives many compliments about how well the car handles. He mentions how precise the steering is and that the car has excellent traction control. Traction control is actually easier to attain in an electric car, according to Horrell, compared to gasoline-powered cars.
The car has a range of over 200 miles before a recharge is necessary. It takes 3.5 hours to recharge the lithium ion and this equates to about two or three dollars. This is the equivilent of about 105 miles per gallon. This is pretty good considering it goes 125 miles per hour.
This is an article published on November 3, 2008 by Paul Horrell, who normally tests regular gasoline powered cars with a leading American automobile magazine. In his piece, he test drives the electric Tesla Roadster.
Overall he is extremely impressed. It has a single-speed transmission which replaced the previous two-speed transmission. He thought that the acceleration was tremendous. Tesla has tested the car's acceleration at 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. Horrell comments on the acceleration: "And it's not just accurate and progressive, it's instant: as fast as you can stretch your foot, this thing delivers."
The Roadster also function like many hybrid cars in that it recovers energy when braking, but it also recovers energy whenever the accellerator is not being pressed. This is because the car partially brakes, causing resistance and energy which is stored in the battery.
Horrell gives many compliments about how well the car handles. He mentions how precise the steering is and that the car has excellent traction control. Traction control is actually easier to attain in an electric car, according to Horrell, compared to gasoline-powered cars.
The car has a range of over 200 miles before a recharge is necessary. It takes 3.5 hours to recharge the lithium ion and this equates to about two or three dollars. This is the equivilent of about 105 miles per gallon. This is pretty good considering it goes 125 miles per hour.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Early Tests for Fuel Cell Cars--Response (1)
I found this article interesting because it gives examples of fuel cells being used in the real-world by average Americans and not merely tested in laboratories by scientists.
I wonder why some technical problems in one car were not problems in the other, and vice versa. For example, the air compressor was quiet in the Equinox though the battery cooling system was loud, while in the Clarity the air compressor was loud and the battery cooling system quiet. It seems like the next prototypes should be able to solve these problems.
The performance of both cars sounds like it will be acceptable to most Americans. I suspect that some stubborn people may not find these cars adequate in terms of power or speed. There will always be people who do not care about fuel economy or enviromental effects especially if it is at the cost of power.
I wonder if the current economic difficulties faced by Americans, and in particular, American car companies, might limit the ability of American car companies to research and develop fuel cell cars.
I wonder why some technical problems in one car were not problems in the other, and vice versa. For example, the air compressor was quiet in the Equinox though the battery cooling system was loud, while in the Clarity the air compressor was loud and the battery cooling system quiet. It seems like the next prototypes should be able to solve these problems.
The performance of both cars sounds like it will be acceptable to most Americans. I suspect that some stubborn people may not find these cars adequate in terms of power or speed. There will always be people who do not care about fuel economy or enviromental effects especially if it is at the cost of power.
I wonder if the current economic difficulties faced by Americans, and in particular, American car companies, might limit the ability of American car companies to research and develop fuel cell cars.
Early Tests for Fuel Cell Cars (1)
http://libraries.maine.edu/mainedatabases/authmaine.asp?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=34375922&site=ehost-live
Healey, James R. "Fuel-Cell Cars" Scientific American Oct. 2008: 80-81.
This article describes the early testing of two models of hydrogen fuel cell cars developed by GM and Honda. They "are putting close to 300 street-legal, full-featured, hydrogen fuel-cell machines into the hands of individual American drivers for use in the real-world conditions"(Healey, 80-81). The article describes the testing of these two models.
GM has created the Chevy Equinox and given them to consumers to use for three months. The company pays all the bills and the drivers receive a short training class. The drivers pump their own hydrogen at GM selected sights. James Healey was impressed that the air compressor that feeds oxygen into the fuel cell was so quiet though the fans that cool the battery pack were too noisy. He liked the strong torque of the electric motor at low speeds. Though the car was less responsive at medium and high speeds. Healey mentions, "When I nailed the throttle at highway speed, little punch was left. Passing on two-lane roads can be done only with careful consideration"(Healey, 80-81). This car had 120 horsepower and a one-speed transmission. He would have preferred a continuously variable transmission like in hybrid cars to better leverage the motors power.
Honda is producing the Clarity and leasing them for $600 a month over a three year lease. This car had a louder air compressor though quieter battery cooling compared to the equinox. The car had good acceleration and was better that the equinox. He thought the car handled well, given that its features were designed for good economy rather than performance.
After testing both of these new street-legal, full-featured, hydrogen fuel-cell machines, James Healey concluded these cars were quite similar to regular, gasoline-powered cars.
Healey, James R. "Fuel-Cell Cars" Scientific American Oct. 2008: 80-81.
This article describes the early testing of two models of hydrogen fuel cell cars developed by GM and Honda. They "are putting close to 300 street-legal, full-featured, hydrogen fuel-cell machines into the hands of individual American drivers for use in the real-world conditions"(Healey, 80-81). The article describes the testing of these two models.
GM has created the Chevy Equinox and given them to consumers to use for three months. The company pays all the bills and the drivers receive a short training class. The drivers pump their own hydrogen at GM selected sights. James Healey was impressed that the air compressor that feeds oxygen into the fuel cell was so quiet though the fans that cool the battery pack were too noisy. He liked the strong torque of the electric motor at low speeds. Though the car was less responsive at medium and high speeds. Healey mentions, "When I nailed the throttle at highway speed, little punch was left. Passing on two-lane roads can be done only with careful consideration"(Healey, 80-81). This car had 120 horsepower and a one-speed transmission. He would have preferred a continuously variable transmission like in hybrid cars to better leverage the motors power.
Honda is producing the Clarity and leasing them for $600 a month over a three year lease. This car had a louder air compressor though quieter battery cooling compared to the equinox. The car had good acceleration and was better that the equinox. He thought the car handled well, given that its features were designed for good economy rather than performance.
After testing both of these new street-legal, full-featured, hydrogen fuel-cell machines, James Healey concluded these cars were quite similar to regular, gasoline-powered cars.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I think doing fuel cells would be really interesting. I don't know anything about them, and it would interesting to know more through your blogs. Are you sure you will be able to find enough information, and fully understand it? If you are then I really think you should do ahead a pick fuel cells as long as you think you will be fully interested.
Doing Costa Rica would be good to do, too. When you go there you would fully understand it, and it would be really fun to research it for months. But it might be hard to find research on it, and find a lot of good information.
Doing Costa Rica would be good to do, too. When you go there you would fully understand it, and it would be really fun to research it for months. But it might be hard to find research on it, and find a lot of good information.
Liam, Costa Ric would be a great research project for you since you are going there this spring! however, it would be a hard topic to find ongoing research information on it for the next six months. I am not very informed in nanotechnology, but it seems like an excellent topic to use because not only does it tie on every on else's topics, but their topics can be tied into yours as well, such as global warming and alternate resources.
ideas (:
It would be really cool to do this project on Coasta Rica since you'll be going there! It would also constantly be changing. Maybe you could interview the International Club leader or someone who's been there before.
I don't know anything about fuel cells! It sounds like it would be a good topic since it's a problem we're all trying to find a solution to.
I don't know anything about fuel cells! It sounds like it would be a good topic since it's a problem we're all trying to find a solution to.
Beginning the Selection Process
I am fairly interested in the research of fuel cells because, once they become less expensive, I believe they will be one of best sources of energy. I am also interested at what it would take economically to to make this possible, and how much it will help our environment if we completely replaced greenhouse gas producing oil. I think I could also find interesting pictures and diagrams to help me present this.
There might not be a substantial daily change, but I think over a few weeks, (and definitely over a few months) there will be significant progress. Currently, oil prices are declining and this may cause the demand for fuel cell cars to slow. Because of the potential economic crisis, I am curious as to whether fuel cells will become much less expensive sooner than expected. There may be a lot of information every week from the companies that are developing fuel cells for different purposes. There may be news about their progress, failures, testing, future product releases, stock prices, etc.
I think it will be difficult to find current and changing newspaper articles regarding fuel cells, however, I am sure that there are scientists that post weekly journals. I have already gathered articles explaining that General Motors (GM) and American Honda Motor are giving nearly 300 street-legal, fuel cells cars to individual American drivers. I might be able to find responses from some of the drivers. This would be very useful as the response would come from someone with first-hand experience driving one of these cars. I have already found a journal from the writer of USA Today, James R. Healey, who tested one of these cars. Healey said that, "In the end, the driving personalities of the two test vehicles, with a few exceptions, were close enough to those of ordinary gasoline-powered cars that if buyers ultimately reject fuel-cell machines, it won't be because the cars seem unfamiliar from behind the wheel."
I do think that this a challenging topic because I don't entirely understand fuel cells myself. I am learning about the technical details of fuel cells so I still have a fair amount to learn. I also need to learn how hydrogen fuel might be produced. There are a number of different ways to make hydrogen fuel though researchers aren't sure of the most effcient way yet. In studying fuel cells there is a lot more to learn besides just how they work. An entire system beginning with hydrogen production and then delivery (hydrogen station?) must be considered.
There might not be a substantial daily change, but I think over a few weeks, (and definitely over a few months) there will be significant progress. Currently, oil prices are declining and this may cause the demand for fuel cell cars to slow. Because of the potential economic crisis, I am curious as to whether fuel cells will become much less expensive sooner than expected. There may be a lot of information every week from the companies that are developing fuel cells for different purposes. There may be news about their progress, failures, testing, future product releases, stock prices, etc.
I think it will be difficult to find current and changing newspaper articles regarding fuel cells, however, I am sure that there are scientists that post weekly journals. I have already gathered articles explaining that General Motors (GM) and American Honda Motor are giving nearly 300 street-legal, fuel cells cars to individual American drivers. I might be able to find responses from some of the drivers. This would be very useful as the response would come from someone with first-hand experience driving one of these cars. I have already found a journal from the writer of USA Today, James R. Healey, who tested one of these cars. Healey said that, "In the end, the driving personalities of the two test vehicles, with a few exceptions, were close enough to those of ordinary gasoline-powered cars that if buyers ultimately reject fuel-cell machines, it won't be because the cars seem unfamiliar from behind the wheel."
I do think that this a challenging topic because I don't entirely understand fuel cells myself. I am learning about the technical details of fuel cells so I still have a fair amount to learn. I also need to learn how hydrogen fuel might be produced. There are a number of different ways to make hydrogen fuel though researchers aren't sure of the most effcient way yet. In studying fuel cells there is a lot more to learn besides just how they work. An entire system beginning with hydrogen production and then delivery (hydrogen station?) must be considered.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
isearch topic
Liam, frankly I'm very limited on fuel-cell technology and their benefits. If this is the way you are thinking of going it does sound really interesting. Perhaps you could narrow your search down to one item that fuel cells help run and compare that to traditional ways of running the item with oil. As far as Costa Rica goes, that is way to broad. Perhaps narrow it down to tourists and one national park and why the tourists are hurting it. I hope my ideas help you, as limited as they are. I do think that if you narrow your search down you'll get better results.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Technology and Geography- Which one is better?
All of your topics seem to be extremely interesting. Each provide a completely different area of research and each seem to have massive amounts of information documented about them. However, none of your topics seem to be one that have any real advantage to being tracked. Fuel cell technology is quickly being replaced by hybrid-electric, at least in cars, and nano-technology can experience a breakthrough every few years at best. I am not attempting to state that none of your topics will work. I just think that you should refine them more. If you are interesting in nano-technology, research and select one lab to follow their daily achievements. Or pick one potential product that will use fuel-cell technology and follow that. If you narrow your research much more, maybe even down to the level of one small research group or even researcher, I think you will be suprised with the information that will come out of the haze. Costa Rica however, allows for a completely different approach. I agree that it is a very broad topic. However, I am also aware of the fact that the country is having troubles with the massive amounts of tourists that visit it every year. Even though it is the biggest income to the country, it is slowly destroying it. Perhaps you could choose to follow the steps being taken to try and counteract the destruction occuring in the country. All of these topics really do have great potential, however, alone, none of them seem fast moving enough or constantly changing. If I were you, I would do some more research on these topics in order to uncover a more defined topic that might allow you more freedom in your research.
Liam Mullen
10/23/08
10/23/08
I-Search Topics
After searching databases for my three topics I have gathered 5 articles on each of them. Most of the information I have gathered comes from journals and some are from newspaper articles although, some of the Costa Rica articles are from encyclopedias and world geography websites. I have found a number of articles on fuels-cells but it has been a little difficult finding a scientific journal explaining how a fuel-cell works.
After searching databases for my three topics I have gathered 5 articles on each of them. Most of the information I have gathered comes from journals and some are from newspaper articles although, some of the Costa Rica articles are from encyclopedias and world geography websites. I have found a number of articles on fuels-cells but it has been a little difficult finding a scientific journal explaining how a fuel-cell works.
During this research project, I have learned many facts about Costa Rica. Almost a quarter of Costa Rica's land area falls under the protection of the national park system. I found it interesting that 10% of the worlds bird species are found there, as well as 100 species of bats! Ecotourism is one of the most important industries in Costa Rica. Many people visit national parks like Manuel Antonio, with its beaches, Monteverde Cloud Forest and Braulio Carrillo, with their rain forests, and Poas, with its volcano. Because of the money brought in by ecotourism encourages both the government and the private sector to protect Costa Rica's natural treasures. I found most of this information at http://www.worldgeography.abc-clio.com/.
Before I started researching, I knew that fuel-cells convert the energy in hydrogen to electricity with the only waste products, water and heat. Through my research I have learned that fuel cells can have up to two or three times the efficiency of traditional combustion engines. They operate quietly, have fewer moving parts and are well suited to a variety of uses. They can be used for primary and back up power, portable power sources that typically use batteries and for transportation including space vehicles, cars, trucks, buses, and ships.
Before I started researching, I knew that fuel-cells convert the energy in hydrogen to electricity with the only waste products, water and heat. Through my research I have learned that fuel cells can have up to two or three times the efficiency of traditional combustion engines. They operate quietly, have fewer moving parts and are well suited to a variety of uses. They can be used for primary and back up power, portable power sources that typically use batteries and for transportation including space vehicles, cars, trucks, buses, and ships.
I knew of few specific detail in nanotechnology, before I started investigating this topic. Nanotechnology is technology developed at the atomic, molecular, or macromolecular level on a scale of one to 100 nanometers (one billionth of a meter). This technology is used to create and use structures, devices, and systems that have novel properties and functions because of their small and/or intermediate size. Nanotechnology research and development includes manipulation under control of the nanoscale structures and their integration into larger material components, systems, and architectures. Important areas for nannotechnology research include:
Nano-electronics, optoelectronics, and magnetics;
Advanced healthcare, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
Nanoscale processes for improving the environment;
Efficient energy conversion and storage;
Microcraft and robotics;
Bio-nanosensor;
Applications in economical and safe transportation; and
National security.
Advanced healthcare, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
Nanoscale processes for improving the environment;
Efficient energy conversion and storage;
Microcraft and robotics;
Bio-nanosensor;
Applications in economical and safe transportation; and
National security.
I received this information from http://web.ebscohost.com.prxy2.ursus.maine.edu/ehost/detail?vid=1&hid=6&sid=37e45252-90b2-413c-80c7-7dfaf17df5ff%40sessionmgr8&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=f5h&AN=14763653.
After these two classes spent researching in the library, I have gained a better understanding of the amount of information on each of my topics. I think that the general topic of “Costa Rica” is a little to broad for this assignment. I could narrow it down to one aspect of Costa Rica such as its national park system and nature, but it still seems very broad and maybe not as interesting for a blog. While I am interested in the progression of nanotechnology and fuel-cells, it has been difficult finding interesting and fully developed resources for nanotechnology. Since nanotechnology has comercial uses, developments may be kept secret. For these reasons, I have been leaning towards fuel-cells as my I-Search topic. I think that it has great potential for being the most valuable energy source of the future. The sources were very informative and interesting, and I think this would be a great blog topic since it ties into other people's topics regarding global warming, alternative energy, and oil dependance.
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