Abu Dhabi has been selected headquarters and Hélène Pelosse was selected as the first head of the emerging Agency during its second session in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

It seems like cars are a trend this weekend. Here I am telling you about another clean air vehicle. This one has already been prototyped. Now it is a matter of working it into our day to day lives.



From the article:
"The 2010 MDI AIRPod emits no emissions and runs on nothing but compressed air. Yes, it sounds like another one of those crackpot inventions, but we traveled to Nice, France, for an exclusive test of the world's only "air car." And here at the research and development center of Luxembourg-based Motor Development International (MDI), the AIRPod seems like more than just a bright idea."

For a detailed breakdown including photos of the engine and build process for the prototype that was reviewed, click the related link below.

This sounds a bit far fetched, but the article has enough good points to make you think there is a possibility. There is a lot of theory this far and no prototypes mentioned. However, they refer to many technologies that are already available and the way they might fit together to accomplish the goal.

We are used to seeing inflatable vehicles for water. A great website to see examples is - http://www.seaeagle.com/SportRunabouts.aspx

If the XP vehicle is built tough enough, there could actually be some gain in protection for the passengers. Airbags would not have to inflate because the vehicle would already offer some cushion from impacts.

From the article:
"XP's MUV does not consist of a lot of internal componentry. In fact, most of it is air using XP's XPanelB (tm) technology pressure membranes. The seat is inflatable, the dashboard is inflatable, and the internal structure and carrying racks are inflatable, or a mesh suspension. Instead of requiring six-axis robots, XP uses radio frequency welders that look like giant waffle irons. The factory equipment is much less expensive and the car simply has less parts that could fail.

The motors are built into the rear wheels in most XP prototypes. The first cars to reach the market will have two rear hub motors and a motor controller, that's it."

My guess is that steering will also be involved as well as a few other mechanical systems like door latches and seatbelts. I also wonder about windows. Will they be clear plastic that will need changed every few years like a rag top car of the past?

For the full article, click the related link below.

It looks like another breakthrough will help solidify the transition to alternate energy. With the level of energy per pound going up, the transition to energy sources that need a battery for a buffer is made easier. This also helps with the range and efficiency of electric or hybrid cars.

From the article:
"A company based in Berkeley, CA, is developing lightweight, high-energy batteries that can use the surrounding air as a cathode. PolyPlus is partnering with a manufacturing firm to develop single-use lithium metal-air batteries for the government, and it expects these batteries to be on the market within a few years. The company also has rechargeable lithium metal-air batteries in the early stages of development that could eventually power electric vehicles that can go for longer in between charges."

This is an exciting step forward. Check out the related link for the whole article.

Outback Power Systems is a leader in power producing equipment for renewable energy. The power generated by solar or wind is not usually ready for the power grid, the Outback devices clean it up for that purpose. They can also tie a set of batteries to the system for use as backup power when the grid power drops off.

From the article:
"SmartRE is the grid-tie battery-backed inverter solution that combines affordability and ease of installation with the robustness and reliability of larger-scale products," said Jeremy Smithson, Puget Sound Solar. "We're seeing a significant uptick in demand for residential and small business solar solutions and are pleased to have an OutBack option that meets our customers' needs while providing a product that we, as installers, can quickly integrate into solar installations."

When researching renewable power, I found many sites that list Outback as the preferred power control center. If you are looking into renewable energy, keep an eye on them.

Click the related link for more information.