JMartin's Profile

Whether private industry should fund it or not, the Government has been subsidizing industry and research since the Lincoln administration, at least -- Transcontinental Railroad (where most of the companies eventually went bankrupt, by the way), and Land Grant Universities. The latter made it possible for west Texas to produce cotton to send to China where it goes into the clothes we buy cheaper than it can be grown in Africa where labor is less expensive. Research to promote industry and jobs.

Commented May 10, 2013 on Obama Administration launches $200M competition for three new manufacturing innovation institutes; WBG power electronics, lightweight metals and digital manufacturing at Green Car Congress

HarveyD, The end user for much energy is already using electricity. If that can be produced cheaper (or with less financial risk) than by coal and natural gas, it will. The auto consumer will buy electric when BEVs are cheap, and they have seen that they work. The latter is happening faster than the former.

Commented May 3, 2013 on New USGS oil and gas assessment for Bakken and Three Forks formations boosts estimates of recoverable oil two-fold, natural gas three-fold at Green Car Congress

HarveyD, High Voltage Direct Current.

Commented Apr 21, 2013 on California to link its cap-and-trade program with Québec’s 1 Jan 2014 at Green Car Congress

We will see more such announcements in the future. The uncertain regulation excuse is only partly legitimate. The real reason is the unwillingness to commit huge sums to produce expensive oil in the face of fast changing energy technology -- wind, solar, bio -- and conservation through more efficient use thereof. The risks of oil exploration and development are rising.

Commented Apr 11, 2013 on ConocoPhillips puts Alaska Chukchi Sea exploration on hold at Green Car Congress

Why not just mandate a Bluetooth signal? Pedestrians would then be responsible for having a bluetooth device, and those with cell phones, iPods, etc. would still hear the signal. That would limit noise pollution from cars in the cities.

Commented Jan 9, 2013 on NHTSA proposes new minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles at Green Car Congress

ToppaTom: The auto companies also had managers that signed contracts with those union workers, and also paid themselves plenty to run the companies in the ground. The shareholders elected boards that let them do it, and the banks loaned money to bad management. Everyone had a part to play.

Commented Jan 1, 2013 on Ford Focus tracking to become best-selling global nameplate in 2012, Fiesta best-selling B-car worldwide at Green Car Congress

A friend has a Ford Fusion Hybrid, and it came standard with a continuous fuel/mileage readout on the dash. If drivers can't learn how to drive economically from that, there is nothing that will help. My friend said his driving style changed within a week.

Commented Dec 15, 2012 on Ford’s math on hybrid fuel economy; standing by the C-MAX EPA ratings, acknowledging large real-world variance at Green Car Congress

SJC: Where have you been the last 5 years? Paper mills are closing as newspapers and book publishers fade away -- because of the internet. iPads and iPhones are just accelerating the process.

Commented Dec 2, 2012 on ORNL develops lignin-based thermoplastic conversion process at Green Car Congress

Young drivers are no longer "drivers." They are texters, readers, talkers. There is no commitment to driving, and it is no longer fun. So let the machines drive so we can check the iPhone, or whatever.

Commented Nov 13, 2012 on Toyota Motor introducing three new automated driver assistance safety systems; begins operations at new ITS Proving Ground at Green Car Congress

Herm - When you put your straw in the ground and get oil to gush out free forever, be sure to let us know. Apparently Exxon does not know about this, as their output is down.

Commented Nov 8, 2012 on Saft to provide Li-ion energy storage system for wind project in Saskatchewan at Green Car Congress

I am not opposed to nuclear energy, but you will never get private industry to risk its capital. It will only happen if the Government guarantees the loans. If we are going to do that, I would prefer to underwrite solar and wind, but would not oppose all three. I do oppose oil and coal subsidies and wars.

Commented Nov 6, 2012 on PwC analysis finds meeting 2 °C warming target would require “unprecedented and sustained” reductions over four decades at Green Car Congress

Yes, and if your EV runs after the storm, you can drive 20 miles to get a recharge where the electricity is still available, drive back and turn on your lights.

Commented Nov 5, 2012 on Gasoline rationing takes effect in 12 New Jersey counties at Green Car Congress

I won't drive 5-7 miles to fuel my car any time soon. And if a million people are refueling at the same station, it may get a little crowded, no matter how many mpg we get.

Commented Sep 27, 2012 on Small-displacement two-stroke H2 engine could address performance and emissions cost-effectively for recreational market; potential for Asian motor vehicle fleet at Green Car Congress

Sorry, polyurethanes, rather than polymers. My chemistry is not that great.

Commented Sep 6, 2012 on BASF opens thermoplastic polyurethanes research lab in US; automotive, construction, sports and leisure at Green Car Congress

It will be interesting to see how quickly additive manufacturing takes off, and when it will hit the auto industry, not just for complex parts, but structure and panels. My guess is this will happen quickly. BASF and others have already shown they can produce cheaper, lighter, and more resilient wind turbine blades with carbon reinforced polymers. Now it is just a matter of the most efficient manufacturing method -- and testing.

Commented Sep 6, 2012 on BASF opens thermoplastic polyurethanes research lab in US; automotive, construction, sports and leisure at Green Car Congress

The Antarctic Government?

Commented Aug 31, 2012 on Potential large methane reservoirs beneath Antarctic ice sheet at Green Car Congress

@EP- They recognize the military/security logic. If the US did, both Republicans and Democrats would be clamoring for electric based energy independence. Instead, they vie to see who can spend the most on weapons systems. The new jet fighter is projected to cost over a $trillion. For that, we could make every bus in america EV or FC, and cover half the houses with PV.

Commented Aug 31, 2012 on Tel Aviv bus operator introducing BYD full-size battery-electric buses at Green Car Congress

How about a guaranteed market with a guaranteed price on a declining basis over time. Sort of like a feed-in tariff. Then let the private market lend money.

Commented Aug 22, 2012 on USDA approves $99M, 80% loan guarantee to Chemtex to support development of cellulosic ethanol from energy grasses at Green Car Congress

Our government is non-functional as a democracy. History has shown that governments survive as long as the masses allow them to -- democracy, dictatorship, or kingdom. When enough people are desperate enough, things will change -- maybe not for the better, those in power will no longer be in power. I hope we don't reach that point.

Commented Aug 19, 2012 on A123 Systems and Wanxiang execute definitive agreements for investment of up to $465M in A123 at Green Car Congress

This technology, as it matures, it will bring manufacturing back to the US. That will not help China, but it will also not create jobs here. To the contrary, it will eliminate manufacturing jobs everywhere. Whether that is good or bad, it is reality.

Commented Aug 19, 2012 on Obama Administration launches new public-private institute to support innovation in additive manufacturing technology with $30M in federal funding at Green Car Congress

@Davemart- I am not an engineer, so maybe I am missing something, but it looks to me like UQM is just one piece of the mechanical transportation puzzle. Why would they care where the electricity comes from -- fuel cell or battery? I do think this is an indication that vehicles of the future will be built more from interchangeable parts, much like PC's are today.

Commented Aug 15, 2012 on Scotland greenlights £3.3M for clean energy hub with 10 hydrogen buses in first phase at Green Car Congress

Aye

Commented Aug 8, 2012 on US Departments of Interior and Defense partner to promote renewable energy on federal lands at Green Car Congress

@Davemart: Try: http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/MSD-full-spectrum-solar-cell.html http://www.futurity.org/science-technology/full-spectrum-boosts-solar-cell-power/ http://www.tgdaily.com/trendwatch-features/39807-new-solar-cell-material-achieves-almost-100-efficiency-could-solve-world-w None of them are commercial yet, but there is research.

Commented Jul 31, 2012 on Panasonic develops highly efficient artificial photosynthesis system with gallium nitride semiconductor for conversion of CO2 to formic acid at Green Car Congress

Bayer also recently announce the use of polyurethane impregnated with carbon nanotubes for wind turbine blades. This may be among the "clever combination of fillers" referred to.

Commented Apr 19, 2012 on Bayer MaterialScience develops new lightweight polyurethane system for more energy-efficient vehicles at Green Car Congress

INVESTMENT! Energy produced in US means more money stays in US to be spent on other things -- economic multiplier effect. From an economic standpoint, it does not matter if it is oil or solar, just so it is produced here. I prefer solar, personally. And I don't mind my tax dollars helping to push the technology. They will come back to the US with better economy.

Commented Apr 14, 2012 on President Obama issues Executive Order to coordinate policy on development of unconventional natural gas at Green Car Congress