Researchers have been trying to find a way and make the waste heat from cars’ exhaust systems – the electrical load, particularly, become a useful outlet. Next year, BMW and General Motors are planning to test some devicess which will convert the excess heat from the motor of a car into an electricity.
GM already built a certain prototype – a device plated with metal and can fit around a car’s exhaust pipe. The researchers expect for it to improve the fuel efficiency of a Chevrolet Suburban up to around 5% or 1 mile per gallon. These imporovements would do greatly for smaller vehicles, which are more fuel-efficient.
The auto companies are now working with researchers who are experts in thermoelectrics from the Ohio State University. Their project is improving the efficiency of the car’s existing materials and produce an electric current according to temperature differences.
According to estimates made by the researchers, around 30% to 40% of the heat that is generated from the engine of a car is used. The rest are already lost through engine cooling and the exhaust system.
Devices that are thermoelectric have already been utilized during space explorations and even in commonplace applications like car seat cooling. Now. research involving autos, which have been abandoned years ago is being perked up in tme with the exploration of businesses on new technologies that are energy efficient.
Aside from automakers, other companies are also tryting to get some commercial use out of thermoelectric technology. The Pennsylvania State University’s researchers have already announced just recently that they have developed a certain polymer material. They are hoping that this can be used for cooling refrigerators and computers.
Filed under: Car Tales, Hot News | Tagged: BMW, car mileage, exhaust system, fuel efficiency, General Motors, thermoelectric device, thermoelectric technology
Sandra Kellog wrote about it lately but i think what you wrote is much better.
Added, thanks for this post – it was a good read.