Fun Stuff > CHATTER
the Chevy Volt (and other "plug-in" cars)
ViolentDove:
Also, some Aussie PhD student has developed a process for making solar cells with an inkjet printer and a pizza oven. The idea was basically to make the cost of manufacturing solar cells ridiculously low, so they could be used in developing countries much more easily.
Nodaisho:
--- Quote from: Trollstormur on 12 Aug 2008, 20:14 ---War. War never changes.
--- End quote ---
You're right, just ask the Cathar Air Force.
Wait, isn't the light the energy? Or is it the heat? it would also be effective in cooling down houses during the summer if it was heat, sun comes through the window, but no extra heat. Cats would be pissed, though, taking away their sunning grounds.
nobo:
--- Quote from: Dimmukane on 12 Aug 2008, 21:28 ---
It had less to do with capacitors and more to do with hydrogen and oxygen made from the photovoltaic cells...I can't remember the details (Here is a page describing the process).
--- End quote ---
From what I understand, photovoltaic cells are just advanced batteries. The problem with batteries, or any sort of sort of power generation is the terrible inefficiency. Take coal for example, I think you get only 20-30% of its energy, you lose a bunch because it takes energy to power the processes, and you get losses between each process, and if you add making batteries to the list, then its barely worth it.
also, when it comes to solar and wind, those things are great when it comes to supplementing power, but they cannot be relied on for a continuous base load. they depend too much on external factors, like weather. you would need a larger power plant to supply a constant amount, and then get the rest from supplementary sources.
Now, they have been doing some cool stuff in England with using tides, currents and waves as a source of energy.
tommydski:
I was in a hospital waiting room today and as per usual there was the usual selection of celebrity gossip rags or car magazines so i chose the latter to peruse for a few moments. In it there was a brief article about an electric car called a Tango. It seemed pretty impressive and the article was making a lot of noise about the fact that it could do 0-60mph in just four seconds (that is amazing for any road car, let alone an electric one). Also, the fact that George Clooney owns one -
Though I notice it doesn't say that he drives one, just that he owns it. Anyhow, the article made a claim which actually had me pretty astounded for a few seconds. It seemed to be suggesting that it could travel the distance an ordinary car could travel in twenty minutes in just twenty seconds. The calculations arising in my brain were thoroughly confusing and it took me a few moments to realise that there was a qualifier written in small print below which stated - "in heavy traffic".
I can't help but think that maybe people who make electric cars should just make the damn things look as much like regular cars as they can. The Tango seems conceptually brilliant but I wouldn't want to be seen in public in the damn thing just because I don't like drawing that much attention to myself for any reason. Especially not something as ridiculous as the car I'm driving.
KharBevNor:
Yeah but Tommy, electric motors generate shitty torque, so either you have to have a tiny zippy little car, or an enormous car with a two metre fly-wheel on top.
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