A Technical Director's View
As part of my job I often visit some of the UK’s universities which have specialisms in bulk materials or acoustics. Not long ago I was at Liverpool University’s Acoustic Research Unit testing a new prototype. The Principal Experimental Officer within the Unit is Gary Seiffert who as well as being very knowledgeable is a very funny and friendly fellow. He was talking about some of the other research projects being carried out at the University and one really caught my attention. In the engineering building both staff and students are working with Ford to put lasers in place of spark plugs.
The lasers can be split to create multiple ignition points leading to greater efficiency and better starting. Now what we do with better efficiency is of course up to us we can create hi-tech low carbon foot print cars with the same power and experience to drive we are used to or we could make a laser ignited screaming hotrod that only uses the same amount of fuel as your current car.
What I really like about this project is you could go down to the lab and they could start the engine up for you, far from being just a theory this was literally up and running. It made me think about some of the engines that we see that make big promises but never get out of solid works or only ever seem to be running on compressed air. Perhaps now that valves don’t need to be routed out of the way of spark plugs some of the more radical engine designs such as the “Round Engine” will receive the little spark they need to really launch them into the world.
Working with universities is something I really like doing when I see different departments and disciplines working together and making new connections it can provide real inspiration. As much as we get out of Universities in terms of access to specialist equipment and consultation we have in the passed been able to pay some of this back. Occasionally a simple letter from someone in industry saying you could see a possible practical use is all that is needed to allow a young researcher to get a grant and continue their studies or donating just a small amount of time can help students a great deal. Spending time with the brightest and best of a generation is never a waste of time and when it helps both of us I can’t think of a better way to spend a day.
..... Alex Bergus
The lasers can be split to create multiple ignition points leading to greater efficiency and better starting. Now what we do with better efficiency is of course up to us we can create hi-tech low carbon foot print cars with the same power and experience to drive we are used to or we could make a laser ignited screaming hotrod that only uses the same amount of fuel as your current car.
What I really like about this project is you could go down to the lab and they could start the engine up for you, far from being just a theory this was literally up and running. It made me think about some of the engines that we see that make big promises but never get out of solid works or only ever seem to be running on compressed air. Perhaps now that valves don’t need to be routed out of the way of spark plugs some of the more radical engine designs such as the “Round Engine” will receive the little spark they need to really launch them into the world.
Working with universities is something I really like doing when I see different departments and disciplines working together and making new connections it can provide real inspiration. As much as we get out of Universities in terms of access to specialist equipment and consultation we have in the passed been able to pay some of this back. Occasionally a simple letter from someone in industry saying you could see a possible practical use is all that is needed to allow a young researcher to get a grant and continue their studies or donating just a small amount of time can help students a great deal. Spending time with the brightest and best of a generation is never a waste of time and when it helps both of us I can’t think of a better way to spend a day.
..... Alex Bergus
posted by DFC at
6:34 AM
