GM CAR OF THE FUTURE

This is great:




Now, a little engineering analysis, courtesy ME - philosopher / engineer in the classic tradition of Archimedes:


"Hydrogen combines with oxygen to produce electricity."


No it doesn't. Hydrogen combines with oxygen to produce HEAT and FLAME. This heat energy must somehow be converted to mechanical energy, to turn a generator to produce electricity - this task is typically accomplished by heating water into steam, to drive a turbine which in turn spins a generator, which is a big electric coil that produces electricity. Even nuclear power plants work this way.

The byproduct of the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen is water - this is true. But where does the hydrogen come from?

Hydrogen exists in nature in the form of water - H2O, also known as 'dihydrogen monoxide' - DHMO. To extract the hydrogen from the water requires running an electric current through the water - a process known as 'electrolysis'.

So where does the electricity come from, to get the hydrogen to fuel the car?

Most electricity is produced by fossil fuel power plants. Most fossil fuel power plants burn coal; 80% of the electricity in North America is produced this way.

In other words, this hydrogen fuel cell car is no different than the electric car - the energy required to drive it is derived from good old-fashioned coal.

Ergo, to say that this car is pollution-free is like a man eating a steak saying he's a vegetarian by default, in that the cow he eats is a herbivore.

What I really want to know is how come all these "Car of the Future" cars always look like souped-up Prius's? EFF THAT. It's 2010 - when are we going to get THESE THINGS???

Comment?

SEAN LINNANE SENDS


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PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES

Lockheed P-38J Lightning "HAPPY JACK'S GO BUGGY" piloted by Jack Ilfrey, December 1944, with the USAAF 20th Fighter Group, 79th Fighter Squadron out of RAF Kings Cliffe, England.



The SANTA FE SUPER CHIEF - flagship of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway - often referred to as "The Train of the Stars" because of the many celebrities who traveled on the streamliner between Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California.



The AC Cobra aka the Shelby Cobra an Anglo-American sports car produced during the 1960s that enjoyed a very long production lifespan through its multiple incarnations; it began life as a Tojiero-Bristol, then an AC Ace, followed by the Ace Bristol and finally the Ace Ford. Just as it was ending its production life, Carroll Shelby breathed new life with the iconic 289 Cobra, soon superseded by the legendary 427 Cobra.


. . . and because it's my birthday THIS is what I get - S.L.



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PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES

Now THIS is COOL:


The Internet Craftsmanship Museum



Christmas Time is when we like to play with model trains.






1/6 Scale working model steam crane.





It's the right color, I wonder if it's a John Deere, like MY tractor?





The maker of this all aluminum F-4 Corsair cutaway model gets an honorable mention on the STORMBRINGER Wall of Honor.


Mr. Young C. Park: A retired dentist turns his skills to making aluminum aircraft models.






1/15 scale 1930 Duesenberg SJ-563 La Grande Roadster

The incredible Wingrove Collection.


What a luxury to have this kind of time on your hands to pursue a hobby like this . . .

. . . S.L.