QFE.Dilbert_X wrote:
Just off the top of my head these things won't generate enough power to warm themselves in winter.
Black asphalt absorbs practically all the thermal energy from sunlight and freezes over readily.
These things might be able to convert 10% of sunlight to electrical energy -> no chance of providing any real heat.
Its a dumb idea really, leave solar panels on the roof, protected, clean and out of the way, and use asphalt for roads.
2 things wrong in that sentenceAgent_Dung_Bomb wrote:
a low fixed cost that you pay per mile of travel.
It doesn't matter how you slice it. Getting ourselves free from oil dependence of other countries isn't going to be easy or cheap, but would do more for the security of this country (in the long run) than any military or intelligence powers could ever hope to provide.Flaming_Maniac wrote:
2 things wrong in that sentenceAgent_Dung_Bomb wrote:
a low fixed cost that you pay per mile of travel.
Also this requires a massive investment on the consumer end as well as in infrastructure.
The technology isn't there yet. I'm saying it is a viable option to look at down the road. There are also massive cost savings to be had down the road as well. No more need to plow/salt/sand roads in the winter time. Since these roads would have sensors, essentially allowing for automated driving, it would eliminate most accidents and massively reduce traffic jams. You would be talking cost savings into the tens of billions every single year.Flaming_Maniac wrote:
That would be one of the most expensive, slowest enacting ways or most legislative way to do it.
The cost of the infrastructure alone would be in the trillions. The cost of the new consumer vehicles on top of that would be ridiculous, plus the time it takes for everyone to be switched over, if you could even get the car manufacturers to do it. Or you maintain both, and it's even more expensive on the infrastructure side and maintenance costs go up.Agent_Dung_Bomb wrote:
The technology isn't there yet. I'm saying it is a viable option to look at down the road. There are also massive cost savings to be had down the road as well. No more need to plow/salt/sand roads in the winter time. Since these roads would have sensors, essentially allowing for automated driving, it would eliminate most accidents and massively reduce traffic jams. You would be talking cost savings into the tens of billions every single year.Flaming_Maniac wrote:
That would be one of the most expensive, slowest enacting ways or most legislative way to do it.
Infrastructure is irrelevant. We are already going to have to spend gobs of money overhauling infrastructure for any new fueling technology. Doesn't matter whether it is electric, hydrogen, natural gas, etc.Flaming_Maniac wrote:
The cost of the infrastructure alone would be in the trillions. The cost of the new consumer vehicles on top of that would be ridiculous, plus the time it takes for everyone to be switched over, if you could even get the car manufacturers to do it. Or you maintain both, and it's even more expensive on the infrastructure side and maintenance costs go up.Agent_Dung_Bomb wrote:
The technology isn't there yet. I'm saying it is a viable option to look at down the road. There are also massive cost savings to be had down the road as well. No more need to plow/salt/sand roads in the winter time. Since these roads would have sensors, essentially allowing for automated driving, it would eliminate most accidents and massively reduce traffic jams. You would be talking cost savings into the tens of billions every single year.Flaming_Maniac wrote:
That would be one of the most expensive, slowest enacting ways or most legislative way to do it.
Why not try? Lets try it and see if it sticks. The technology is still in its infancy.Dilbert_X wrote:
Just off the top of my head these things won't generate enough power to warm themselves in winter.
Black asphalt absorbs practically all the thermal energy from sunlight and freezes over readily.
These things might be able to convert 10% of sunlight to electrical energy -> no chance of providing any real heat.
Its a dumb idea really, leave solar panels on the roof, protected, clean and out of the way, and use asphalt for roads.
Basic thermodynamics unfortunately.Harmor wrote:
Why not try? Lets try it and see if it sticks. The technology is still in its infancy.
Hey I know, why not use rubber band powered aircraft instead of cars?Agent_Dung_Bomb wrote:
Here's an idea. I saw a little deal on the Science Channel where they talked about traditional highways being replaced with maglev highways. While your car technically wouldn't be flying, it would essentially hover over the road like the maglev trains. Now add these solar panels in place of asphalt and you could theoretically power the maglev highway with solar power.
The First Law of Thermodynamics is such a bitchDilbert_X wrote:
Basic thermodynamics unfortunately.Harmor wrote:
Why not try? Lets try it and see if it sticks. The technology is still in its infancy.Hey I know, why not use rubber band powered aircraft instead of cars?Agent_Dung_Bomb wrote:
Here's an idea. I saw a little deal on the Science Channel where they talked about traditional highways being replaced with maglev highways. While your car technically wouldn't be flying, it would essentially hover over the road like the maglev trains. Now add these solar panels in place of asphalt and you could theoretically power the maglev highway with solar power.
A couple of quick turns to wind up and you can fly from New York to London.
Physics and thermodynamics FTW.
gee why didn't they think of that? ..Dilbert_X wrote:
Basic thermodynamics unfortunately.Harmor wrote:
Why not try? Lets try it and see if it sticks. The technology is still in its infancy.
.
I once heard them expressed like this: "you can't win, you can't break even and you can't get out of the game." Sums it up nicely IMO.JohnG@lt wrote:
The First Law of Thermodynamics is such a bitchDilbert_X wrote:
Basic thermodynamics unfortunately.Harmor wrote:
Why not try? Lets try it and see if it sticks. The technology is still in its infancy.Hey I know, why not use rubber band powered aircraft instead of cars?Agent_Dung_Bomb wrote:
Here's an idea. I saw a little deal on the Science Channel where they talked about traditional highways being replaced with maglev highways. While your car technically wouldn't be flying, it would essentially hover over the road like the maglev trains. Now add these solar panels in place of asphalt and you could theoretically power the maglev highway with solar power.
A couple of quick turns to wind up and you can fly from New York to London.
Physics and thermodynamics FTW.
Need to add 'and everything you do turns to mush'Spark wrote:
I once heard them expressed like this: "you can't win, you can't break even and you can't get out of the game." Sums it up nicely IMO.
I came into my degree field (Electrical Engineering) with a grand idea for a perpetual motion machine that would generate more energy than it took to make it. Then I took a thermodynamics class and wanted to crySpark wrote:
I once heard them expressed like this: "you can't win, you can't break even and you can't get out of the game." Sums it up nicely IMO.JohnG@lt wrote:
The First Law of Thermodynamics is such a bitchDilbert_X wrote:
Basic thermodynamics unfortunately.Harmor wrote:
Why not try? Lets try it and see if it sticks. The technology is still in its infancy.
Hey I know, why not use rubber band powered aircraft instead of cars?
A couple of quick turns to wind up and you can fly from New York to London.
Physics and thermodynamics FTW.
Pretty much. "It’s the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Sooner or later everything turns to shit." --Woody AllenDilbert_X wrote:
Need to add 'and everything you do turns to mush'Spark wrote:
I once heard them expressed like this: "you can't win, you can't break even and you can't get out of the game." Sums it up nicely IMO.
I dun like thermodynamics. The one physics course I don't want to takeZeroth: You must play the game.
First: You can't win.
Second: You must lose.
Third: You can't quit.
Large number of EEs (or future ones) on this board. Weird.FEOS wrote:
Thermo was actually the most enjoyable engineering course I had...even though it had pretty much zero applicability to the bulk of my major (EE).
I have a degree in EE. I'm not an electrical engineer.JohnG@lt wrote:
Large number of EEs (or future ones) on this board. Weird.FEOS wrote:
Thermo was actually the most enjoyable engineering course I had...even though it had pretty much zero applicability to the bulk of my major (EE).
