Future Hybrids May Have Low Emission Engines - 10/15/08

China has an extreme pollution problem and they are aware of the excessive use of fossil fuels.  They are making efforts to lessen the effects of these poisonous gases.  China is making strides toward clean energy.  Part of the efforts is in the development of a new type of internal combustion engine.  This new engine will use a new and more accurate computer model to assess performance of the free piston linear alternator or (FPLA).

Research from the FPLA can lead to a low emission fuel efficient engine for future hybrid vehicles.  The FPLA has only one moving part and it is designed to generate electricity.

The FPLA engine has a piston in a cylinder that shuttles between tow combustion chambers.  Permanent magnets are attached to the piston generating electricity by passing through coils of an alternator centered on the cylinder.  Another advantage to the FPLA is that it can burn a variety of fuels including natural gas and hydrogen.  This type of engine could be very advantageous in a future world of fossil fuel shortages and climate change.

The research team is totally relying on their computer model.  Future research should lead to the creation of the engine.  So far computer simulations show that the FPLA could speed up three times faster than other internal combustion engines, which will burn fuel with lower air pollution. 

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