Over the Fourth of July weekend oil prices settled above $145 for the first time. As a result gas prices continue to increase with seemingly no end in sight. People the world over are starting to alter the way they live as gas becomes a more and more significant part of their budgets. There is still debate over the contributing factors to global warming however people would agree that all things being equal the reduction of emissions and the improvement of gas mileage is a good thing.

Many people point to the fact that the original Ford Model T got between 13-21 mpg and a 100 years later a Ford Explorer gets 16 mpg: where is the improvement? We must be careful with a blanket statement like this though.
The Model T’s engine made 20 hp, the car weighed just over 1000 lb, had horrible emissions and would struggle to hit 45 mph. We can design a car to these specs today and achieve much better resulting emissions. However, to meet people’s demands for comfort, safety and practicality certain concessions must be made. But there are new engine technologies that are being developed that can drastically improve gas mileage and emissions.

Many companies are looking at innovative ways to increase the efficiency of an engine. The efficiency of an engine relates how much useful power is output for a given amount of heat energy input. Typical modern engines have an efficiency of only 25%. Revetec, an Australian engine design company, is developing a Controlled Combustion Engine (CCE) that utilizes of two counter-rotating "trilobate" cams geared together. The CCE X4v2 achieved a repeatable 38.5% efficiency. This engine is really intriguing because it can be configured in numerous ways. Revetec's CCE is half the size and weight of a typical engine. Also the Australian company is claiming 50% fewer emissions with their prototype.

Other companies such as Rotoblock, based out of California, are prototyping an Oscillating Piston Engine (OPE). They, like Revetec, are aiming at reducing the size and increasing the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. The OPE has pistons arranged in a circular manner around a coaxial driveshaft. The toroidal cylinders oscillate which drives a crankshaft. In this engine the entire cylinder block rotates! Rotoblock is committed to the environment and the third generation of the engine will serve to investigate the use of

Doug Pelmear, an engineer asserts that he can get 110mpg and 38% efficiency out of an 87’ Mustang motor! It is still a traditional rod-and-piston engine with more electronics regulating it. He has entered his design in the Progressive Automotive X Prize Competition: a race to find an affordable, marketable car that can get at least 100 miles to the gallon. The winner of the X Prize will get 10 million dollars!

If small startups such as Revetec and Rotoblock can engineer such intriguing ideas for engines, imagine what Honda or GM could do? It is time for these automobile manufacturers to step outside their comfort zone and come up with something new! Coupling new engine technology with lightweight materials it is very possible to have cheap, efficient transportation for the masses.

Pura vida,
Nick