Michigan State University develops new engine...

[Bob Schroeck]

... that more than triples fuel efficiency, does not require extensive cooling and other support systems, and doesn't even need spark plugs.  They hope to have it scaled up to a 25KW version within two years, which will make it commercially viable for hybrid and gas-supported "full electric" vehicles.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42460541/ns ... innovation]Details here.
-- Bob
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Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

[Wiregeek]

sorry, no.

It's a gas turbine in a funny hat, which means it will have all the issues that turbines bring. It's also vaporware. The original prototype was in 2009, and we don't have even a concept testbed yet?

I don't think MSU slacks off that bad.
"No can brain today. Want cheezeburger."
From NGE: Nobody Dies, by Gregg Landsman
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5579457/1/NGE_Nobody_Dies

[Rev Dark]

Didn't I see this back in 2009?
http://news.msu.edu/story/7036/
Yes, yes I did...
Something to keep an eye on for sure.

[Wiregeek]

I would love to see one actually running at some point in the ever.
"No can brain today. Want cheezeburger."
From NGE: Nobody Dies, by Gregg Landsman
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5579457/1/NGE_Nobody_Dies

[Dartz]

Diesel engine efficiency can easily exceed 40-50% using currently existing technology and it'll run over a wider range of RPM than this thing.

This sounds like something that'll be great 'so long as you give us the funding'. And it's big advantage of mechanical simplicity will most likely be nullified in the real world with the addition of the usual automotive ancillaries. Given how reliant this design is on pressure pulses to time it's ignition... it's going to be great fun getting one of these to run well with all the plumbing necessary to drop exhaust noise down to something acceptable. One thing about engines which use detonation to ignite their fuel.... it's a very loud process.

That, and I suspect it'll only run really well over a very narrow powerband, similar to an old two-stroke which is less of a problem when hooked to a generator mind.... but if you want any amount of power out of it, it's either going to be very big, or very fast running leading to either a reduction in efficiency, or a massive increase in noise.
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--m(^0^)m-- Wot, no sig?

[Wiregeek]

That, and I suspect it'll only run really well over a very narrow powerband

Which isn't a problem so long as you have a good energy storage system (frex battery) and a drive system that's NOT chained to the turbine (frex electric motor).
"No can brain today. Want cheezeburger."
From NGE: Nobody Dies, by Gregg Landsman
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5579457/1/NGE_Nobody_Dies

[Sweno]

ya. I'm not expecting a lot out of this.

There are already diesel-electric cars with engines built specifically to run at the optimal rpm for their size/weight/specifications. (I'm told driving them is a little disconcerting at first, because there is engine noise, but it doesn't change in response to the accelerator).

and since that hasn't taken off in massive popularity, probably due to all the issues listed above, I fail to see how a "new" engine that has all the same issues will.
-Terry
-----
"so listen up boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing to happen to you today"
TF2: Spy

[Dartz]

I know... It's less of a problem when you have a generator and a battery, and are able to run the thing at a constant load. Still, it seems like it'd be far more finnicky than even a Wankel engine which... with turbocharging, offers many of the same benefits, but which'll also work better over a changing load.

There're also noise, vibration and harshness considerations when it comes to mounting it in an actual car. If this is detonating, it's going to be LOUD when running. And if it's small, it's going to be LOUD and at very high RPM. Adding mufflers and the like is going to change the flow of gasses through the engine, further complicating the design process.

Your average gas turbine would offer many of the same benefits... while being easier to mount in a car.... and being much better at running on multiple fuels.

Besides, if I wanted a cool wierd engine, I'd go with This. Add turbocharging to recover the excess exhaust energy.... mount in a motorcycle frame.... ????... VERY FAST PROFIT.
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--m(^0^)m-- Wot, no sig?

[Thesilentjackofalltrade]

Its a scam for government funding so far as I can see.

But then again, this could be just another choice of engine properties that might run very well, to compete with the norm.
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Veni, vidi, vici. [I came, I saw, I conquered
Quote from Julius Caesar