A New Lease On Internal Combustion

Somnus suggests we check out the latest issue of MIT's Technology Review, where researchers describe how they can dramatically boost engine output and efficiency by preventing pre-ignition, or "knock." How they do it: "Both turbocharging and direct injection are preexisting technologies, and neither looks particularly impressive... by combining them, and augmenting them with a novel way to use a small amount of ethanol, Cohn and his colleagues have created a design that they believe could triple the power of a test engine."

I find many of life's problems...

[26199]

...become simpler with the addition of a small amount of ethanol.

In a large glass.

Internal Combusiton?

[Reverend528]

This headline made my brain spontaneously combusit.

Re:What new technology?

[Rei]

It might be a while. They're still busy relocating Jimmy Hoffa's body, plotting out new wars in the Middle East, and assassinating more people connected to the moon landing hoax.

I wonder...

[Anonymous Coward]

if it will become the next redneck toy to show off at the Burger King's parking lot.

Meh, they'll stick to the neon lights.

What would you say...

[Skadet]

What would you say to some nice ethanol?

I'd say, "Don't get too comfortable in that glass!"

Re:What new technology?

[AK Marc]

Are you implying that they haven't done things like, say, help innovate Lithium-based batteries, then prevent their use in electric cars?