Car To Hydrogen

A hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as its onboard fuel for motive power. Hydrogen vehicles include hydrogen fueled space rockets, as well as automobiles and other transportation vehicles. The power plants of such vehicles convert the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy either by burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine, or by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to run electric motors. Widespread use of hydrogen for fueling transportation is a key element of a proposed hydrogen economy.

Hydrogen fuel does not occur naturally on Earth and thus is not an energy source; rather it is an energy carrier. As of 2014, 95% of hydrogen is made from methane. It can be produced using renewable sources, but that is an expensive process.Integrated wind-to-hydrogen (power to gas) plants, using electrolysis of water, are exploring technologies to deliver costs low enough, and quantities great enough, to compete with traditional energy sources.

Many companies are working to develop technologies that might efficiently exploit the potential of hydrogen energy for use in motor vehicles. As of November 2013 there are demonstration fleets of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles undergoing field testing including the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell, Honda FCX Clarity, Hyundai ix35 FCEV and Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell. The drawbacks of hydrogen use are high carbon emissions intensity when produced from natural gas, capital cost burden, low energy content per unit volume, low performance of fuel cell vehicles compared with gasoline vehicles, production and compression of hydrogen, and the large investment in infrastructure that would be required to fuel vehicles.

Man and machine

Man and machine

You all know about the Darwin Awards – it's the annual honor given to the person who did the gene pool the biggest service by killing themselves in the most extraordinarily stupid way. Last year's winner was the fellow who was killed by a Coke machine which toppled over on top of him as he was attempting to tip a free soda out of it.

And this year's nominee is:

The Arizona Highway Patrol came upon a pile of smoldering metal embedded into the side of a cliff rising above the road at the apex of a curve. the wreckage resembled the site of an airplane crash, but it was a car. The type of car was unidentifiable at the scene. The lab finally figured out what it was and what had happened.

It seems that a guy had somehow gotten hold of a JATO unit (Jet Assisted Take Off – actually a solid fuel rocket) that is used to give heavy military transport planes an extra 'push' for taking off from short airfields. He had driven his Chevy Impala out into the desert and found a long, straight stretch of road. Then he attached the JATO unit to his car, jumped in, got up some speed and fired off the JATO!

The facts, as best could be determined, are that the operator of the 1967 Impala hit JATO ignition at a distance of approximately 3.0 miles from the crash site. This was established by the prominent scorched and melted asphalt at that location. The JATO, if operating properly, would have reached maximum thrust within five seconds, causing the Chevy to reach speeds well in excess of 350 MPH, continuing at full power for an additional 20–25 seconds. The driver, soon to be pilot, most likely would have experienced G-forces usually reserved for dog-fighting F-14 jocks under full afterburners, basically causing him to become insignificant for the remainder of the event. However, the automobile remained on the straight highway for about 2.5 miles (15–20 seconds) before the driver applied and completely melted the brakes, blowing the tires and leaving thick rubber marks on the road surface, then becoming airborne for an additional 1.4 miles and impacting the cliff face at a height of 125 feet, leaving a blackened crater 3 feet deep in the rock.

Most of the driver's remains were not recoverable; however, small fragments of bone, teeth and hair were extracted from the crater, and fingernail and bone shards were removed from a piece of debris believed to be a portion of the steering wheel.

Hot-rod

Hot-rod

Late 1930s–1950s

The term seems first to have appeared in the late 1930s in southern California where people raced modified cars on dry lake beds northeast of Los Angeles under the rules of the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), among other groups. The activity increased in popularity after World War II particularly in California, because many returning soldiers received technical training in the service. Many cars were prepared by bootleggers in response to Prohibition to enable them to avoid  agents ("Revenooers"); some police vehicles were also modified in response.

The first hot rods were old cars (most often Fords, typically Model Ts, 1928–31 Model As, or 1932-34 Model Bs, modified to reduce weight. Typical modifications were removal of convertible tops, hoods, bumpers, windshields, and/or fenders, channeling the body; and modifying the engine by tuning and/or replacing with a more powerful type. Speedster was a common name for the modified car.  wheelsand tires were changed for improved traction and handling. "Hot rod" was sometimes a term used in the 1950s as a derogatory term for any car that did not fit into the mainstream. Hot rodders' modifications were considered to improve the appearance as well, leading to show cars in the 1960s replicating these same modifications along with a distinctive paint job.

Engine swaps often involved fitting the Ford flathead engine, or "flatty", in a different chassis; the "60 horse" in a Jeep was a popular choice in the '40s. After the appearance of the 255 cu in (4.2 l) V8, because of interchangeability, installing the longer-stroke Mercury crank in the 239 was a popular upgrade among hot rodders, much as the 400 cu in (6.6 l) crank in small-blocks would later become. In the 1950s, the flathead block was often fitted with crankshafts of up to 4.125 in (104.8 mm) stroke, sometimes more. In addition, rodders in the 1950s routinely bored them out by 0.1875 in (4.76 mm) (to 3.375 in (85.7 mm))due to the tendency of blocks to crack as a result of overheating, a perennial problem, this is no longer recommended. In the '50s and '60s, the flatty was supplanted by the early hemi. By the 1970s, the small-block Chevy was the most common option, and since the '80s, the 350 cu in (5.7 l) Chevy has been almost ubiquitous.

Classic Car

Classic Car

Classic Cars: Driven By Obsession?

Ever since the exploits of 19th century German motoring pioneer Karl Benz (of Mercedes Benz fame) the world has been in thrall to the lure of the motor-car. And when what started as the preserve of the few became accessible to ever greater numbers thank to the pioneering production line of Henry Ford and his famous Model T, the blue touch paper was well and truly lit; there was no stopping the growth in the popularity of cars.

While the automotive industry has changed significantly in the intervening years, there’s still a fascination with cars that many find hard to shake off. And perhaps the best evidence of that is the strength of the classic car scene and its many enthusiasts worldwide. Yes, without a doubt, classic cars are not going out of fashion anytime soon.

To some, classic cars conjure up images of expensive models beyond the reach of the ordinary car lover – the vintage Ferraris, Lambourginis, Porsches and the Rolls Royces. Yet while there’s no denying these super models of the classic car world cost a pretty penny to find, purchase, refurbish faithfully, maintain and house, the many many classic car clubs across the country is testament to the hobby’s affordability and accessibility.

Classic models well within reach

Contrary to popular belief, classic cars doesn’t necessarily mean sleek motoring heroes of yesteryear. These days, eighties classics are just as much in demand as ancient models.

Saab

A good example of eighties favourites with a big fan club in the classic car community is the Saab 900. Introduced originally in 1979, the Saab 900 has been one of the UK’s top classic cars for many years. Its angular, chunky styling may not appeal to everyone, but there’s no doubting its unique look and feel, which has given it a cult following.

Mercedes

The name Mercedes is synonymous with luxury motoring. But surprisingly, there are past models in the Mercedes range that are not beyond the reach of ordinary enthusiasts. Like the Mercedes 190 – a sporty slice of car history (some with spoiler!) about the same price as a second-hand Mondeo. But obviously a lot more desirable sitting in your drive.

Porsche

Another car make that gives you a warm glow and your bank manager a heart attack. Again, as with Mercedes, the classic car world is host to many past Porsche models that are not the stuff of fantasy in terms of affordability. Incredibly the classic beauty and sporting style of the Porsche 944 can be bought for under two thousand pounds.

The MG

The MG is a bona fide British classic, oozing Swinging Sixties style from every pore. These covered coupe MGB GT is an especially highly desirable model. And again, it’s possible to get hold of them for around under the two grand mark.

Things to watch out for

Buying a classic car is just one step of ownership however. Remember, these beautiful machines do take some looking after – which can be a full-time job and over time, potentially a bit of a money pit. Do your homework thoroughly before going for it.

Then there’s safety. Yes, some older classic cars may not handle the same way as today’s models, requiring a much more ‘hands on’ approach to driving. Plus you need to be confident every part of the vehicle is in good order – or it could lead to an accident. And let’s face it, personal injury claims would take the edge of the classic car experience!

Wooden Car

Wooden Car

Check out this amazing wooden car found on eBay The car was built by Vasily Lazarenko from Chernovtsy, Ukraine. Built by hand, half the body has a retro look and the other half a more modern styling. The Ukrainian woody car is built on a chassis and engine from a 1981 Opel model with a 100 HP engine. Although the car isn’t registered (wonder why…), Lazarenko admits that he has taken the car out for the occasional spin. All I have to say is that I’m never touching a bottle of Vodka for the rest of my life….

Currently the car is for sale on eBay for $120,000 This is a jump up for the expired eBay listing of $100,000 which no one bid on.

Glass Car

Glass Car

UK design blog Dezeen have collaborated with car manufacturer MINI at London Design Festival this year to create an exhibition of commissions exploring the future of transportation. Far from a showroom for shiny self-driving cars or connected-car dashboard concepts, was eclectic collection of exploratory interpretations by artists, designers and architects was on display in the ground floor entrance of design and furniture fair designjunction The exhibition space itself embodied the theme—architect Pernilla Ohrstedt teaming up with 3D-scanning specialist ScanLAB to create her contribution 'Glitch Space'—an enormous arrangement of vinyl white dots meticulously laid out across the exhibit floor as a representation of the swaths of environmental data that will flow through the city in a future of driverless cars.

On the same theme, Dominic Wilcox ever the inspiring out-of-the-box thinker, turned a lot of heads with the revealing of his incredible 'Stained Glass Driverless Sleeper Car.' Not just a pretty piece of craft, Wilcox's creation is actually a profound reflection on the future design possibilities for the automobile. In a future in which cars are self-driving and super safe, the forms, materials and uses that have constrained automotive design in our time may no longer apply. Although Wilcox'sfictional future car manufacturer's website shows a spectacular array of possibilities this could present, the stunning stained-glass model on view demonstrated the equally appealing option of rolling around town in a half-car, half-bed 'hybrid,' revealed when lifting up the hood (below).

Cars of the Future

           Los Angeles Design Challenge: The Mercedes-Benz SilverFlow

   

            

The Mercedes-Benz SilverFlow is among the highlights of the Los Angeles. Design Challenge, in which eight car design studios in southern California were given the assignment to create the “Robocar 2057” as a combination of vehicle technology and artificial intelligence. Accordingly the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Center of North America in Irvine, California, which is headed by Gorden Wagener, looked 50 years into the future and came up with the shimmering silver and gold Vision SilverFlow car. With its long, flowing lines and narrow, exposed wheels, this vision of the future is highly reminiscent of the golden years in motor racing during the 1930s.

In fact the physical characteristics of the SilverFlow are even more exciting than its shape. It consists of billions of microscopically tiny metallic particles which are formed into variable but stable configurations by magnetic fields. This means that the driver can perfectly adapt the vehicle to its intended purpose. The one-seater highway configuration is extremely aerodynamic, while the city version is short and spacious. The pre-programmed vehicle variants can be selected at any time at the touch of a button, whereupon the assembler electronics reshape the car from one form to another within a few seconds – specialists refer to this as morphing. Any desired shape is conceivable in principle. As a particularly convenient feature when parking, the intelligent control system completely disassembles the vehicle structure and compacts the ferro-magnetic particles into a small, space-saving configuration. And thanks to these flexible metallic particles, dents and paint damage are also a thing of the past.

The disadvantage of the Mercedes-Benz SilverFlow is that so far, it only exists as a two-dimensional graphic design.

The SilverFlow study, which – if at all – will only be realisable decades into the future, clearly shows that while car designers certainly live in the present, their working environment is the future. Professor h.c. Peter Pfeiffer, Senior Vice President Mercedes-Benz Design: “The Los Angeles Design Challenge is certainly a creative challenge with this futuristic concept. The SilverFlow reflects our successful motor sports history, while boldly suggesting innovative solutions for the individual mobility of coming generations.”

Mercedes-Benz has established Advanced Design Studios in the USA, Japan, Italyand Sindelfingento look well into the future and engage in stylistic research for the cars of tomorrow. The task of the designers is above all to be receptive to current signals from other cultures and incorporate these into Mercedes-Benz design.