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Yearly Archives: 2008
Fuel Cell Powered Wheelchair by Mitsubishi
From now on, the people with motion disabilities will go green. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical exhibited last week a fuel cell power unit suited for small applications, such as powering an electric wheelchair. It has the size of a microwave oven, weighs 22 kg, and outputs 300W.
William Yuan, a 12 year-old, Invents New Type of 3D Solar Cells
This is great news. William Yuan, a 12 year-old from Beaverton, Oregon, has made an innovation in the 3D solar cells production that could provide 500 times more light absorption than commercially-available solar cells and nine times more than cutting-edge 3D solar cells. It may sound weird, but, at his age, he studied nanotechnology.
Question: Will Chevy Volt Run Windows?
I guess that the Chevy Volt has been one of the most hunted electric cars from the beginning of this year. GM has done all their possible to keep the secret from the press(?), but it seems that several images and specs have "leaked", acting as a teaser for the information thirsty public.
New Graphene Layer to Double Ultracapacitors Storage Capability
Engineers and scientists from the University of Texas at Austin, led by Rod Ruoff, a mechanical engineering professor and physical chemist, have created a one-atom thick layer of carbon, called "graphene", and they put it to use in electrical storage systems, such as ultracapacitors, a viable way to clean and efficient energy storage.
Prius PHEV Testing Started on French Roads
They are testing their Toyota PHEVs with the help of their employees in a real urban environment. They have already built a charger infrastructure and a method for charging the users' pockets, incorporated in the vehicle's software.
Tesla Roadster’s New Gearbox Gives 10% more Miles/Charge
The Tesla Roadster just got better: its manufacturers equipped it with a new gearbox, a more efficient one, that has about 30% more torque on a single gear ratio and achieves 10% more mileage on average.
Satellite Solar Power Demonstrated Between Hawaii Islands
If you remember, not a long time ago we had an article talking about NASA's plans to send a satellite to space which could capture pure Sun energy and resend it to Earth in the form of microwaves.
Prius vs BMW M3 vs MPG at Top Gear: Who Wins?
I really didn't like what Top Gear guys did the last time to a Prius, but this time I think they have a point (partially). They're going to race a Toyota Prius (1.5L)versus a BMW M3 (4L). Of course the BMW will win the competition... but wait... not the speed competition. The BMW will get 19mpg and the Prius only 17mpg. Why is that? Does it prove that the Prius is more gas-guzzler than the BMW? No.
VW Golf BlueMotion TDI – 74MPG – Better Than Prius?
The most known German car maker Volkswagen, and the most popular car in Europe, VW Golf, hits again these days as Volkswagen unveils their latest BlueMotion car. They already have unveiled other BlueMotion machines, but this time it is Golf's time to be in the spotlight.
Toyota and Subaru to Sell Electric Cars
The electric vehicles market will start to vary from next year. While Subaru promises a four seated electric vehicle, Toyota confirmed for the first time the plans that put to sale an electric vehicle before 2010.
