Why doesn't Algae Fuel grab more headlines?

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ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,398
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126
Originally posted by: Phokus

Yeah, you're going to have to watch the documentary 'who killed the electric car?'

If i recall correctly, i think the oil industry even bought out a new patented battery technology just so it wouldn't see the light of day in cars

link to the patent?
 

desy

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2000
5,446
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A Its still emerging tech same as cellulosic or solar or wind
B it's byproduct is a type of diesel which most cars in NA are gasoline
C A HUGE amount of infastructure would have to be setup to make it scalble and viable

On the postivies
I see it replacing aviation fuel once we run out of inexpensive fossil fuels as we are unlikely to ever have electric airplanes.
It probaly does have the energy density and EROI to make it economicaly feasable
 

frostedflakes

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2005
7,925
1
81
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Phokus

Yeah, you're going to have to watch the documentary 'who killed the electric car?'

If i recall correctly, i think the oil industry even bought out a new patented battery technology just so it wouldn't see the light of day in cars

link to the patent?
He's talking about NiMH (nickel-metal hydride). You can read up on the patent issues related to the technology on Wikipedia.

Fortunately most electrics are moving to new battery technologies. Lithium iron phosphate is one promising technology that has only recently been commercialized.
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,669
6,728
126
Originally posted by: frostedflakes
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Phokus

Yeah, you're going to have to watch the documentary 'who killed the electric car?'

If i recall correctly, i think the oil industry even bought out a new patented battery technology just so it wouldn't see the light of day in cars

link to the patent?
He's talking about NiMH (nickel-metal hydride). You can read up on the patent issues related to the technology on Wikipedia.

Fortunately most electrics are moving to new battery technologies. Lithium iron phosphate is one promising technology that has only recently been commercialized.

The great hope, in my opinion, is in high density capacitors that achieve that via nanotechnology and can be charged in a matter of minutes.
 

frostedflakes

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2005
7,925
1
81
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Originally posted by: frostedflakes
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Phokus

Yeah, you're going to have to watch the documentary 'who killed the electric car?'

If i recall correctly, i think the oil industry even bought out a new patented battery technology just so it wouldn't see the light of day in cars

link to the patent?
He's talking about NiMH (nickel-metal hydride). You can read up on the patent issues related to the technology on Wikipedia.

Fortunately most electrics are moving to new battery technologies. Lithium iron phosphate is one promising technology that has only recently been commercialized.

The great hope, in my opinion, is in high density capacitors that achieve that via nanotechnology and can be charged in a matter of minutes.
Yeah capacitors are something I've been keeping up with as well, they have a number of advantages over electrochemical batteries. EEStor has made some impressive claims about their capacitor technology, but whether they can deliver still remains to be seen. :)