Interesting as the thorium powered car is, the laser driven portion is very vague and may not be feasible. Of course all nuclear technology is dangerous, we need to be reducing danger not continuing down the same old dangerous path. Why go there when you can easily go elsewhere?
None of this is necessary though, as much of the technology for successful transition cars is here. Let me say up front, all new technology cars are transistion vehicles, they are to aid our transistion to a less polluting, sustainable society so will disappear in forty years or less. In the meantime, people still need cars and practical alternatives must be provided or the next step will not be even attempted by most.
Fuel source: CO2 from air (or the last of the fossil driven power plants) is converted to methanol which is upgraded to a higher molecular weight alkane or non-toxic alcohol. Hydrogen from water or methane derived from biological sources can also be used. Any liquid or gas can be used in the following car type.
A flash boiler driven lightweight vehicle (steam powered)would be the car of choice. No nuclear, any liquid gas is usable, high acceleration and guick starting.
The Doble brothers solved most of the problems with steam cars making them more efficient and water conservative (lowers weight and number of stops for water). With modern materials and design, a derivative of the Doble engine could be produced in a lightweight frame.With the near instantaneous high torque at low speed from steam, car enthusiasts would be screaming to have one. Range is only limited to fuel availability and water availability, which since they can be made to burn almost any gas or liquid should not be a problem (unlike current electrics and current ICE). Either pistons or turbines could be used, whichever works out more efficient and lighter weight (also easier to build).
Info on the Doble family and steam designs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doble_steam_car
click o the photo of the boiler to get extra view
http://www.damninteresting.com/the-last-great-steam-car/
Nice photos of the Doble steam car
http://www.olds.com.au/products/doble.html
We know how to handle liquid fuels, we know how to handle gases. We do not know how to safely handle radioactive energy systems or their by-products. As far as nuclear fission using thorium, think gamma radiation - needs lots of shielding.
None of this is necessary though, as much of the technology for successful transition cars is here. Let me say up front, all new technology cars are transistion vehicles, they are to aid our transistion to a less polluting, sustainable society so will disappear in forty years or less. In the meantime, people still need cars and practical alternatives must be provided or the next step will not be even attempted by most.
Fuel source: CO2 from air (or the last of the fossil driven power plants) is converted to methanol which is upgraded to a higher molecular weight alkane or non-toxic alcohol. Hydrogen from water or methane derived from biological sources can also be used. Any liquid or gas can be used in the following car type.
A flash boiler driven lightweight vehicle (steam powered)would be the car of choice. No nuclear, any liquid gas is usable, high acceleration and guick starting.
The Doble brothers solved most of the problems with steam cars making them more efficient and water conservative (lowers weight and number of stops for water). With modern materials and design, a derivative of the Doble engine could be produced in a lightweight frame.With the near instantaneous high torque at low speed from steam, car enthusiasts would be screaming to have one. Range is only limited to fuel availability and water availability, which since they can be made to burn almost any gas or liquid should not be a problem (unlike current electrics and current ICE). Either pistons or turbines could be used, whichever works out more efficient and lighter weight (also easier to build).
Info on the Doble family and steam designs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doble_steam_car
click o the photo of the boiler to get extra view
http://www.damninteresting.com/the-last-great-steam-car/
Nice photos of the Doble steam car
http://www.olds.com.au/products/doble.html
We know how to handle liquid fuels, we know how to handle gases. We do not know how to safely handle radioactive energy systems or their by-products. As far as nuclear fission using thorium, think gamma radiation - needs lots of shielding.
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