Alternate Fuels

Article about development of new cheaper, less dirty fuel which sounds like it can be made out of basically any organic material.

The greening of gasoline

Say Hooray for more green cars!
Any aerodynamics engineer will attest that this is the most efficient automotive aero shape known to date ... the wind doesn't show favoritism to any one brand. This reality is also evident in the shape of the new Prius and Chevrolet's upcoming Volt; the profiles of these cars are quite similar because airflow created the shape, not stylists.

2010 Honda Insight hybrid
40 mpg city, 43 mpg highway

Civic Hybrid
40 mpg city, 45 mpg highway

2010 Toyota Prius (they have a bunch of new stuff on this one, but here are a couple highlights)
Even though the 2010 Prius is slightly larger and carries more features than the outgoing car, its combined mpg rating is expected to increase to 50 mpg, up from 46 mpg for the 2009 model. The engine's extra size enables it to make more torque (105 lb-ft), and although it runs counter to conventional thinking, the additional torque enables the engine to get better highway fuel economy (because the engine can run at lower engine speeds).

The new Prius will also be more involving for the driver because it offers three driving modes. EV-Drive Mode allows driving on battery power alone at low speeds for about a mile, conditions permitting. There is also a Power Mode, which increases sensitivity to throttle input for a sportier feel, and an Eco Mode, which helps the driver achieve their best mileage.

The company added clever features such as an available sliding glass moonroof that is packaged with solar panels used to power a new ventilation system. This solar ventilation system uses an electrically powered air circulation fan that does not require engine assist. In addition, an exhaust heat recirculation system reduces heat waste by warming engine coolant during cold startup, for improved performance. It also heats up the passenger cabin more efficiently.

Tesla Motors is still going... coming out with a Roadster Sport.  Wha?!  Sportier?  Crazy.
Per their website...
Keeping an Eye on Tomorrow, Today
It probably comes as no surprise that a forward-thinking company like Tesla Motors thinks a lot about the future. We do.

That‘s why the tires and the battery of every Tesla Motors vehicle are recyclable. Reuse is such a key part of our philosophy that we‘ve already arranged to have our car batteries safely recycled — even before we‘ve sold our first car. The cost of recycling is built into the purchase price of the car, so there‘s never a reason “why not” to recycle.

NPR Science Friday had a show featuring a new study that shows that clearing land to grow biofuel or converting agricultral land to biofuel production would both result in increased release of carbon into the atmosphere.

Two alternatives were discussed--the links will take you to the companies representing the two alternatives:

Algae

Conversion of Garbage

At $1 per Watt, the iTunes of Solar Energy Has Arrived

A Silicon Valley start-up called Nanosolar shipped its first solar panels -- priced at $1 a watt. That's the price at which solar energy gets cheaper than coal. Curious that this story is not on every front page.