Here is an interesting quote from the article in the url below about internal combustion engines (ICEs):
"About three-quarters of the energy produced by a typical combustion engine is lost through heat and released through a car's exhaust system. But what if some of that heat could be captured and turned into electricity?"
I had no idea ICEs were so inefficient, which must mean three-quarters of the fuel that we put into our cars is essentially wasted. Capturing some of that excess, and reducing the waste, seems like a worthwhile project. Specifically:
"Converting even a fraction of the waste heat produced by such vehicles into electricity could reduce fuel consumption and battery usage … leading to lower carbon-dioxide emissions."
Fortunately, some smart people are looking into that possibility:
"In a recent study, researchers created a prototype of a device, called a thermoelectric generator. … When inserted into an exhaust pipe, the device can turn waste heat into a continuous source of electricity for vehicles such as cars, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, making them more efficient, the researchers say. … The study was partly funded by the U.S. Army with unmanned aerial vehicles in mind, but the researchers believe the device has the potential to be used much more broadly. That's because the thermoelectric generator can be installed into tailpipes of different vehicles without changing how they operate."
Take care
David
David Chandler
© Sage Publications, 2023
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The Heat Coming Out of Your Car's Tailpipe? Some Can Be Turned Into Electricity
By Lisa Ward
April 21, 2025
The Wall Street Journal, Journal Report: Alternative Energy
Late Edition – Final
R2
