London: Modern automobile engines are inefficient at harnessing energy, with almost two thirds of the energy wasted as heat.
But what if you could catch the energy from the heat, turn it into electricity, and use it to increase your fuel efficiency?
Well that’s what BSST, a Californian company is aiming to do. They have created ‘Thermoelectric Generators’ using different semiconductor materials treated with hafnium and zirconium, which they claim are much cheaper and about 40 percent more efficient than their telluride counterparts.
According to Technology Review, the company has performed computer simulations on a Chevrolet Suburban test vehicle and calculated a 3 percent increase in fuel economy, reports Discovery News.
The company is currently trying to hone in on the most efficient fabrication process so that they can pump out these generators with a high level of confidence.
According to Technology Review, the company has performed computer simulations on a Chevrolet Suburban test vehicle and calculated a 3 percent increase in fuel economy, reports Discovery News.
The company is currently trying to hone in on the most efficient fabrication process so that they can pump out these generators with a high level of confidence.
First Published: Wednesday, June 01, 2011, 18:02