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The Power of Thor(ium)

AprecheApreche
edited August 2011 in Science
http://wardsauto.com/ar/thorium_power_car_110811/

Sounds too good to be true, so probably is.

Comments

  • CodgerCodger
    So basically it stores latent heat from a laser. So instead of a battery to store energy (electricity), it's using Thorium to store energy (heat).

    As I read it, the issue is converting that heat into electricity via a steam turbine.

    On the bright side we could be headed to a steam punk era of cars!
  • AprecheApreche
    Do we still not have a better way to turn heat into energy than steam and a turbine?
  • RymRym
    Do we still not have a better way to turn heat into energy than steam and a turbine?
    That would be a golden goose.

    Better would be turning radiation directly into electricity.
  • CodgerCodger
    Nope! Most forms of electricity generation revolves around heat.

    However we have fuel cells which covert gases into electricity. Gotta love the redox (oxidation and reduction)!
  • GreyHugeGreyHuge
    Better would be turning radiation directly into electricity.
    Solar Panels, thermoelectric devices.
  • Dragonmaster LouDragonmaster Lou
    Better would be turning radiation directly into electricity.
    Solar Panels, thermoelectric devices.
    Don't forget Radio Thermoelectric Generators like what's powering the Cassini probe in Saturn's orbit right now (along with the Voyagers, the old Viking Mars landers, and many more space probes).
  • OmnutiaOmnutia
    Gotta love that wave-particle duality.
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