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Emerging Research


Here we’ll report on groundbreaking research and technology as they relate to future cars and alternative fuels.




Rechargeable Lithium Batteries From Nanomaterials

As featured on the Discovery Science show Eco-Tech in August of 2007, some of the current research at MIT was inspired by Abalone shells: involves creating a nanotech battery that has potential applications in solar cells as well as fuel cells. Scientists use a genetically-modified virus to build an extremely efficient battery; when the virus duplicates and bonds with the metal oxide it becomes a conductor of electricity.

This technology has potential applications in fuel cells and solar cells. 

Cellulosic Ethanol and the Future "Sugar Car"

The Zhang Group, lead by Virginia Tech Assistant Professor YH Percival Zhang , have developed so-called “enzymatic hydrogen production technology”, which they believe can adequately address a number of the issues facing the feasibility of the hydrogen fuel cell. Using inedible corn feedstock and a solvent, he is able to recover cellulose at normal atmosphere pressure and a temperature of 120 degrees—substantially less than the previous pressures and temperatures.

On the site, Zhang writes, “We first propose SUGAR CARS which storage sugar, convert sugar to hydrogen on board, generate electricity via fuel cells, and drive motor. This technology would solve the technical challenges associated with hydrogen storage, distribution, production, and safety simultaneously.”


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