Shockwave Engine
Technology Description:
Michigan State University (MSU) is developing a new engine for use in hybrid automobiles that could significantly reduce fuel waste and improve engine efficiency. In a traditional internal combustion engine, air and fuel are ignited, creating high-temperature and high-pressure gases that expand rapidly. This expansion of gases forces the engine's pistons to pump and powers the car. MSU's engine has no pistons. It uses the combustion of air and fuel to build up pressure within the engine, generating a shockwave that blasts hot gas exhaust into the blades of the engine's rotors causing them to turn, which generates electricity. MSU's redesigned engine would be the size of a cooking pot and contain fewer moving parts—reducing the weight of the engine by 30%. It would also enable a vehicle that could use 60% of its fuel for propulsion.
Potential Impact:
If successful, MSU's redesigned engine would reduce the weight of vehicles by up to 20%, improve their fuel economy by up to 60%, reduce their total cost by up to 30%, and reduce their CO2 emissions by 90%.
Security:
Increasing vehicle fuel efficiency by 10% could result in 300 million fewer barrels of oil being imported from foreign countries each year.
Environment:
More efficient engines could result in the reduction of nearly 200 million metric tons of CO2 emissions in the U.S. each year from passenger vehicles.
Economy:
Reducing fuel waste results in cost savings for the average consumer, who spends nearly $4,000 per year on energy.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Bryan Willson
Project Contact:
Dr. Norbert Mueller
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
mueller@egr.msu.edu
Related Projects
Release Date:
10/26/2009