Norbert Müller and his team of researchers at Michigan State University have developed a prototype of a new auto engine that does not have the myriad of complicated parts (for me) such as the pistons, crankshafts and valves of the current internal combustion engine used in almost all cars. The new engine is a disk-shaped shock wave generator that uses the same fuel but is much smaller, about the size of a saucepot, and much lighter compared to the internal combustion engines. It can also reduce auto emissions by 90 percent.
The new motor consists of a rotor with a number of wavelike channels. There are two outlets at either side where exhaust can escape. As the rotor spins, a fuel-air mixture enters through central inlets into channels that are not facing the outlets so the mixture cannot escape. As the mixture continues to enter the channels, pressure builds up and a shockwave is generated. This compresses the mixture further and ignites it. At that moment the rotor is facing the outlets and the exhaust can escape. The escaping exhaust keeps the motor spinning as it pushes against the ridges of the wavelike channels. Keep in mind that this is a continuous process that happens at a very fast rate.
This disk-waved shockwave generator will use about 60 percent of fuel for forward movement, a dramatic improvement from the 15 percent of combustion engines today. The reduced size and mechanisms of the generator will also be able to cut the weight of a car by 20 percent. This in turn also improves fuel economy.
The University has already received a $ 2.5 million grant from the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop the engine and Müller says he hopes to create a 25-kilowatt prototype of the engine by the end of 2011.
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