[ RadSafe ] Space Propulsion, Enriched Uranium, Fusion, Etc. A bit off topic; not Health Physics related!)

[Brennan, Mike (DOH)]

I read an interesting article this weekend about one of the car
companies (I forget which one) that is working on a hybrid that uses a
hydraulic accumulator to store regenerated energy and allow optimized
engine performance.  The rationale appears to be that the cost/weight
ratio of a hydraulic system is better than for any battery system with
the same energy storage/release characteristics.  

Where this has an application in the rad biz is as a
backup/load-leveling system for the small reactors that are being
proposed.  Pumping hydraulic oil and compressing gas are fairly mature
technologies, with limited dependence on rare-earth minerals currently
monopolized by China.  

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Doug Aitken
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 11:37 AM
To: 'The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing
List'
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Space Propulsion, Enriched Uranium, Fusion,
Etc. A bit off topic; not Health Physics related!)

Joe: most of the automobile hybrid systems (apart from the Deuterium
fusion
version!) are already in an advanced stage of development (or already
available). 

By far the coolest one demonstrated so far is the Jaguar CX-75 concept.
This
has four individual 195 hp electric motors driving each wheel, powered
by a
19 kWH lithium ion battery pack, which in turn is charged by two
miniature
gas turbine motors (see www.bladonjets.com ). In hybrid mode, it reaches
100
km.hr in 3.4 seconds and has a range of 900 km.....

And can run on about any hydrocarbon fuel....

Very cool!
Regards
Doug