http://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. With the introduction of an all-new fourth-generation Pathfinder for the 2013 model year, Nissan's legendary adventure-ready Next Gen SUV took a major step forward in refinement, enhanced fuel economy, cutting-edge technology and family utility – including its industry first EZ Flex Seating System with innovative LATCH AND GLIDE technology. Now, for the 2014 model year, the evolution of the Pathfinder continues with the introduction of a new affordable hybrid powertrain system designed to enhance fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions with no reduction of driving performance, passenger roominess or cargo capacity. http://phys.org/news283676172.html Technology Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:56:19 EST news283676172 (Phys.org) —Engineers will be able to design better fuel systems for everything from motorcycles to rockets faster and more inexpensively because of a mathematical fuels model developed at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. http://phys.org/news282899618.html Technology Tue, 19 Mar 2013 08:13:45 EST news282899618 A new National Research Council report finds that by the year 2050, the U.S. may be able to reduce petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent for light-duty vehicles—cars and small trucks—via a combination of more efficient vehicles; the use of alternative fuels like biofuels, electricity, and hydrogen; and strong government policies to overcome high costs and influence consumer choices. While achieving these goals will be difficult, improving technologies driven by strong and effective policies could make deep reductions possible. http://phys.org/news282845572.html Technology Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:12:59 EST news282845572 Drivers of petrol and diesel cars are usually aware that driving at high speed, harsh acceleration and hard braking all contribute to lowering their fuel economy. Scientists can readily explain in terms of the thermodynamics of the internal combustion engine why driving such a car more smoothly and at gentler speeds will increase significantly the distance that might be travelled on a single tank of fuel. But, what about electric vehicles (EVs)? http://phys.org/news275304221.html Technology Fri, 21 Dec 2012 09:23:47 EST news275304221 Among his many qualities, the pioneering wildlife ecologist Aldo Leopold was a meticulous taker of field notes. http://phys.org/news267203670.html Biology Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:14:38 EST news267203670 Tesla Motors said Tuesday it would begin deliveries of "the world's first premium electric sedan" on June 22, slightly ahead of schedule. http://phys.org/news256905257.html Technology Tue, 22 May 2012 11:34:36 EST news256905257 A company looking to purchase an electric-powered delivery truck today will likely experience some sticker shock: Such a vehicle costs nearly $150,000, compared to about $50,000 for the same kind of truck with a standard internal-combustion engine. http://phys.org/news247292632.html Technology Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:24:04 EST news247292632 Foreign and domestic car makers are struggling to sell environmentally friendly vehicles in China, the world's largest auto market, even as Beijing pumps billions into clean energy. http://phys.org/news246096108.html Technology Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:01:55 EST news246096108 No less than one third of a car's fuel consumption is spent in overcoming friction, and this friction loss has a direct impact on both fuel consumption and emissions. However, new technology can reduce friction by anything from 10% to 80% in various components of a car, according to a joint study by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) in USA. It should thus be possible to reduce car's fuel consumption and emissions by 18% within the next 5 to 10 years and up to 61% within 15 to 25 years. http://phys.org/news245585920.html Technology Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:19:10 EST news245585920 (PhysOrg.com) -- When most people hear the words "fuel cell," they think of eco-friendly, hydrogen-powered cars that emit nothing more than water. http://phys.org/news240831058.html Technology Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:31:07 EST news240831058 (PhysOrg.com) -- Battery life and driving range are two sticky phrases in discussions about why EVs have yet to hit mainstream use. Drivers still feel skittish about the idea of setting out on longer trips on batteries lasting too few miles and then losing time seeking a recharge. New developments in battery research may brighten the picture somewhat. http://phys.org/news237360238.html Technology Sun, 09 Oct 2011 06:24:30 EST news237360238 Indian-owned automaker Jaguar has joined forces with Formula One racing group Williams to produce a British-made commercial model of their hybrid C-X75 supercar, the pair announced on Friday. http://phys.org/news224075590.html Technology Sun, 08 May 2011 12:13:34 EST news224075590 After decades of sputtering starts and stalled hopes, the electric vehicle is poised to enter the mainstream. http://phys.org/news221738042.html Technology Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:54:18 EST news221738042 (PhysOrg.com) -- Split-cycle engines have been around for some time but until now have never matched the fuel efficiency of traditional internal combustion engines. That is about to change, with the latest split-cycle engines from the Scuderi Group offering greater fuel efficiency and up to 80 percent reduction in NOx emissions and 50 percent reduction in CO2. http://phys.org/news215071792.html Technology Mon, 24 Jan 2011 06:50:01 EST news215071792 (PhysOrg.com) -- Engine experts and biofuels researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are working on a project that aims to modify an endophytic fungus so that it will produce fuel-type hydrocarbons for transportation purposes. http://phys.org/news214664201.html Technology Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:57:49 EST news214664201 Researchers have developed a method that uses aluminum and a liquid alloy to extract hydrogen from seawater to run engines in boats and ships, representing a potential replacement for gasoline and diesel fuel in marine applications. http://phys.org/news207215975.html Technology Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:00:06 EST news207215975 (PhysOrg.com) -- A new version of what some refer to as the "Iron Man" suit was unveiled Monday by Raytheon at the company's research facility in Salt Lake City. http://phys.org/news204989352.html Technology Wed, 29 Sep 2010 14:30:05 EST news204989352 Watch out Chevy Volt. A new ride nicknamed Sparks gets a charge out of cruising up and down Route 17 in Yorktown, Va., without ever stopping at a gas pump. http://phys.org/news204831475.html Technology Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:50:01 EST news204831475 A new study by the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies at Rochester Institute of Technology indicates that the use of E20 fuel, which blends 20 percent ethanol with gasoline, reduces the tail pipe emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, compared with traditional gasoline or E10 blends. In addition, the research team found no measurable impact to vehicle drivability or maintenance in conventional internal combustion engines. http://phys.org/news189079957.html Technology Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:13:00 EST news189079957 (PhysOrg.com) -- NASA engineers have designed an extremely quiet one-person electrically powered aircraft that can hover like a helicopter and fly like a plane. The “Puffin” launches from an upright position with the tail split into four legs that serve as stable landing/take-off gear. http://phys.org/news183361139.html Technology Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:50:01 EST news183361139 The Naval Research Laboratory's Ion Tiger, a hydrogen-powered fuel cell unmanned air vehicle (UAV), has flown 26 hours and 1 minute carrying a 5-pound payload, setting another unofficial flight endurance record for a fuel-cell powered flight. The test flight took place on November 16th through 17th. http://phys.org/news178810342.html Technology Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:00:01 EST news178810342 The Naval Research Laboratory's Ion Tiger, a hydrogen-powered fuel cell unmanned air vehicle (UAV), has flown 23 hours and 17 minutes, setting an unofficial flight endurance record for a fuel-cell powered flight. http://phys.org/news174662741.html Technology Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:27:24 EST news174662741 (PhysOrg.com) -- The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has completed a successful flight test of the fuel cell powered XFC (eXperimental Fuel Cell) unmanned aerial system (UAS). During the June 2 flight test, the XFC UAS was airborne for more than six hours. NRL's Chemistry and Tactical Electronic Warfare Divisions are developing the XFC UAS as an expendable, long endurance platform for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). http://phys.org/news168792716.html Technology Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:57:48 EST news168792716 (PhysOrg.com) -- Diesel and gasoline fuel sources both bring unique assets and liabilities to powering internal combustion engines. But what if an engine could be programmed to harvest the best properties of both fuel sources at once, on the fly, by blending the fuels within the combustion chamber? http://phys.org/news168524276.html Technology Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:10:02 EST news168524276 (PhysOrg.com) -- Concerns over petroleum gas prices and long-term effects of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment have prompted scientists to look for alternative renewable energy sources for transportation use. One of the questions at hand is determining what that preferred technology should be. http://phys.org/news160925431.html Technology Thu, 07 May 2009 14:30:59 EST news160925431 Nearly undetectable from the ground, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are widely used by the military to scan terrain for possible threats and intelligence. Now, fuel cell powered UAVs are taking flight as an Office of Naval Research (ONR)-sponsored program to help tactical decision-makers gather critical information more efficiently... and more quietly. http://phys.org/news159188609.html Technology Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:04:52 EST news159188609 As the global automobile industry considers alternative energy sources to replace the traditional internal combustion engine, Jessie Pacheco, a mail clerk at Camp Pendleton, has been making his rounds to Marines in General Motors (GM) Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has sponsored the GM FCVs at Camp Pendleton since 2006 with two more scheduled to arrive later this year. http://phys.org/news156600088.html Technology Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:02:10 EST news156600088 (PhysOrg.com) -- Car manufacturers aspire to create hydrogen-powered vehicles that could one day allow energy-efficient, cost-effective travel that emits no greenhouse gases or other pollutants. To further that effort, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have devised new combustion strategies for hydrogen engines. http://phys.org/news156443378.html Technology Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:30:20 EST news156443378 The EUREKA (Belgium) i-StARS project is developing a compact, fully integrated and low-cost start-stop system for cars to replace conventional alternators in mass production. This second-generation starter alternator reversible system (StARS) is intended to enable the European automotive industry to meet new EU emissions legislation and significantly reduce fuel consumption without needing to redesign the engine. Additionally, it will fulfil global demands for more energy-efficient vehicles. Market forecasts indicate some one million vehicles a year will be using these systems by 2010 with a 4% penetration rate worldwide in the automotive market for such micro-hybrid applications in 2015. http://phys.org/news151241951.html Technology Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:39:11 EST news151241951 With the high cost of gasoline and diesel fuel impacting costs for automobiles, trucks, buses and the overall economy, a Temple University physics professor has developed a simple device which could dramatically improve fuel efficiency as much as 20 percent. http://phys.org/news141566725.html Technology Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:05:25 EST news141566725