IMNSHO: the best solution for clean fusion energy is the one we already have fielded, but with storage: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/09597b104b84e91f1e31dae27c07cefbb9984224ce373d4fe4c98b503d0669c9.jpg Second to that is to stop the madness and put our fission capabilities to work in a highly standardized global reactor design.

A very useful report. It would seem that by using today's strong profits, the oil industry should be able to accelerate research for creating the distributable product they seek - gaseous hydrogen - from fully renewable sources of solar and wind. With that objective, the industry will have support and credibility with all parts of society. The most attractive market for hydrogen is for transportation, where refueling convenience - traditional locations and speed - give hydrogen a sizable advantage. However, battery technology is moving surprisingly fast, and the economics of hydrogen become more challenging with each battery advancement. Tesla's Battery and Powertrain Investor Day is coming soon, and this will likely establish a new, higher set of goals that hydrogen must meet.

Wow....one more item on the very long list of add-ons in an attempt to extend the life of ICEs. This is not a surprise, and EV fans should not underestimate the staying power of such a large incumbent industry. I need to add catalyst preheaters to this infopinion: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/78bdc2531b3e016f0fbf9919292d1e91ee0171bce5d8d995b44a69dc722d2055.jpg Interestingly, we considered this in the 1970s for all vehicles, but I seem to recall that the EPA agreed to created the two-bag collection system to recognize that it takes time to heat up the catalyst. The rules encouraged the adoption of very low mass catalyst beds to speed warmup. Anyone remember that action?

It seems like the first thing we could do would be to stop destroying nature's carbon capture capabilities. Would this proposal be worthy of discussion? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6fa678b940cc388a7646809661d7320d90280de870bc2303a9e139593b50ba07.jpg

The growth in engine complexity is one more indication that we may be reaching "peak engine." With each passing month, more and more of the public become aware of the electric option. We just need to see cost reductions to see the market change. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/78bdc2531b3e016f0fbf9919292d1e91ee0171bce5d8d995b44a69dc722d2055.jpg

We have interesting years ahead. Toyota is clearly getting us ready for fuel cell vehicle, which inherently need a lot of low temperature heat exchangers. Whooooaaaaa....hard to get used to those massive grills!! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/04d6499b02153705eef70973fbf62f9d77f312af96809bab2b1bd1ef60581499.jpg

Europe has screwed up BIG TIME on the dive to Diesel. It will take more than a decade to unwind and undo the harm. From the US, I say to Europe, "look who is calling the kettle black."

Raise gas taxes at the federal level - discourage consumption, fund clean energy infrastructure and reduce federal debt. Provide large rebates for taking old cars off road and replacing with newer models. NOTHING will do a better job of clearing the air and reducing GHGs. NOTHING! Provide continuing large rebates for the purchase of zero emission vehicles, meaning zero throughout the fuel supply chain. Battery-electric vehicles, for example, would be allowed to claim all charging comes from the renewable portion of the grid.

Great technology. Imagine taking some acreage in the California desert and pumping in sea water to create distilled water, lithium and other minerals. A winning approach!

Not a new concept, but I guess it needs to be added to the many "Bandaids" we have put on the internal combustion engine over the last 50+ years to make them cleaner. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ea7ac0f37ff24e99407b684357757b37b078102a5c7b35f9f0e887976f1d76fa.png

It does indeed appear that we have at last come to the realization that a Diesel engine can never be made clean enough, certainly not for a vehicle that will be allowed in urban areas.

This sound holy-grailish, even suggesting that just taking full charge at a Supercharger or such could rejuvenate the cells. I am sure this will get a lot of attention.

This looks like a sensible experiment in hydrogen, although when battery costs drop far enough - under $90-100 per kWh? - the preferred method may be to simply add more batteries in the space that would otherwise go to the fuel cell, its plumbing and heat exchangers and fuel tanks.

What a mess. So looking back, we can see that the mistake the EU made was to buy into the idea that Diesels would be a better way to meet CO2 emission goals. Who the hell sold the EU on this? Bosch?

Wow....another adder to engine technology. Like all modern engines, I am sure this HCCI engine will be reliable, BUT the complexity that is going into such engine designs points to a tipping point in propulsion for personal vehicles: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b38ebc1a186a135702db4e343ebfd23b5547c35d55d66d8f0d786f2da7fd4baf.jpg

Sensible, although it may raise some hackles in Washington. HOPEFULLY, it will raise some hair on the back of Washington's collective neck and get it moving in a similar direction. Tesla has achieved there first goal of showing that over 95% of personal vehicle needs can be met with clean, battery-electric vehicles. As of this week, we can also see that this fake news story from China is actually TRUE!! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/942e85d78e3f704b2cd7b3e4bf62d4851fd6c9176c524034c9ce9388c95bf077.jpg

Good news is that there is an appointment. Is there any good news about how serious GM will be in pursuing green transport?! Remember, the Chinese are definitely coming! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/942e85d78e3f704b2cd7b3e4bf62d4851fd6c9176c524034c9ce9388c95bf077.jpg

So....does this mean that when we burn coal we are also putting all of those REEs into the sky?

Five years?! VW needs to get serious about zero-emission vehicles. This stream of press releases and concept vehicles lacks substance. Here's an idea. Even though it is five years away, why not take $1000 deposits for the Microbus, just as Tesla has done. It shows commitment...and consumers can show their interest.

Confirmation - again - that it is not possible to make a Diesel clean.

And so it continues. Our ICE makers are racing headlong towards a cliff of obsolescence...and they will not go quietly! So, add Miller Cycle and Water-Cooled Exhaust Manifold (WCEM) to the list of solutions to extend the life of the ICE. See the full list, as I know it: https://images.spot.im/image/upload/f_auto,q_70,fl_lossy,dpr_3,c_limit/v200/6b2f2d9b5ff73c9e1e037d6bb918050c

Hats off to the PR department at Volvo! Tesla will take all of the oxygen out of the room this month with the Model 3, so even though Volvo is basically doing squat on electrification, they pot together a well-times press release! Here's what is going on: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6e8f52a4e3d573944690236b0fe76c354406a057ceb9d8f31fc0cfa57e5f3466.png

It is amazing how complex our engines have become, yet how good they are. Still, when I list all of the "stuff" we have added to engines to make them clean, efficient and drivable, it suggests we may be approaching at tipping point in favor of electric propulsion for our daily driving needs: Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valves Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves Vacuum amplifiers Electronic ignition Lead-free gas Oxidizing catalytic converters Air injection systems Electronic Engine Controls Fuel injection Barometric Pressure Sensor Reducing catalytic converters Sealed fuel tanks Vapor recovery systems Vapor recovery fuelers Cam and crank timing sensors Knock sensors Mass airflow sensors Manifold Absolute Air Pressure Sensors Free oxygen sensors Electronic throttle control - pedal and throttle position sensors Variable valve timing Low sulfur fuels Diesel particulate traps Cylinder Deactivation Hybrid ICE/battery electric vehicles High Multi-Speed transmissions Continuously variable transmissions Multi-Clutch transmissions Urea injection and selective reduction catalysts Direct fuel injection Turbocharging Intercoolers ...and most recently: 48V mild hybrids with start/gen units LiIon batteries plus electric turbochargers Continuously variable compression ratio crankshafts Quad turbocharging ...and, soon: Electric turbochargers Opposed piston engines? Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition? Camless valve systems?

Big headline Little bucks. "There's nothing to see here....move along."

Imaging LIDAR has been in development for a decade or more. A good example of a vehicle test with a lower resolution system is here: http://www.sensorsinc.com/gallery/videos/