Scientists have discovered a way to potentially convert waste heat from your car into electricity, which would drastically improve gas mileage. At the moment, up to three-fourths of the energy you put into your car in the form of gasoline is wasted, coming out of the car as waste heat. However, it has been discovered that thermoelectrics can convert this into electricity to power your car. Thermoelectrics is currently being used in the car industry to heat and cool car seats. The scientists have discovered that the combination of lead, antimony, and lead-telluride produces a more efficient material which can help increase gas mileage.
If scientists can perfect this practice and apply it to the car industry, cars will become more energy efficient and therefore will not need as much gas. This is a very good thing looking at the state our country is in with regards to energy. This application is not only limited to cars, however. As the article states, it can be used in the conversion of solar energy and of waste heat from smokestacks. This process can potentially help the energy crisis in our country.
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New Discovery Can Help Solve Energy Crisis
October 21st, 2008 by faustlg · 1 Comment · Chemistry
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A Northwestern University-led research team has identified a promising new material. This material could transform a technology that currently cools and heats car seats into one that also efficiently converts waste heat into electricity to help power the car and improve gas mileage. This technology that they are trying to transform is thermoelectronics.
With the current crisis gripping our country, and our dependence on oil to power our cars, this will be an amazing discovery. This, added to the many natural ways we can get energy, can save the country alot of money. Lets hope this project will work, and it could also wean us away from our oil addiction, because it says it can convert the heat from smoke stacks, also.