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A team of bright-spark researchers has worked out how mini-lasers can be used instead of traditional plugs to ignite the fuel inside an engine.
The boffins at Colorado State University in the US reckon that their new laser plugs could even improve the efficiency of the powerplant, because they can control the sudden energy burst of ignition better. As a result, the fuel burns more cleanly. And as an added bonus, the hi-tech replacements won't wear out or get dirty like the usual items do.
The scientists confess, however, that their invention is tricky to produce. The plugs work by sending an infra-red laser beam down a fragile hollow glass-fibre tube that contains helium gas to prevent any unwanted sparks from leaping out.
When the beam reaches the end of the strand, it is focused into a high-energy spot inside the engine's cylinder, thereby making the fuel combust in an instant.
So far, the group has proved that the intense energy beam works in a motor which is powered by compressed natural gas, but the scientists have won a patent to protect their invention for use with all fuels.
The laser has further advantages - it can help mechanics to service the powerplant. The flash of light should remain consistent every time it's used, so any deviations are an indication that there are problems elsewhere inside the unit. "It will tell us what's going on within the engine, so we can further improve efficiency," said the university's Dr Bryan Willson.
Article from: Auto Express
The boffins at Colorado State University in the US reckon that their new laser plugs could even improve the efficiency of the powerplant, because they can control the sudden energy burst of ignition better. As a result, the fuel burns more cleanly. And as an added bonus, the hi-tech replacements won't wear out or get dirty like the usual items do.
The scientists confess, however, that their invention is tricky to produce. The plugs work by sending an infra-red laser beam down a fragile hollow glass-fibre tube that contains helium gas to prevent any unwanted sparks from leaping out.
When the beam reaches the end of the strand, it is focused into a high-energy spot inside the engine's cylinder, thereby making the fuel combust in an instant.
So far, the group has proved that the intense energy beam works in a motor which is powered by compressed natural gas, but the scientists have won a patent to protect their invention for use with all fuels.
The laser has further advantages - it can help mechanics to service the powerplant. The flash of light should remain consistent every time it's used, so any deviations are an indication that there are problems elsewhere inside the unit. "It will tell us what's going on within the engine, so we can further improve efficiency," said the university's Dr Bryan Willson.
Article from: Auto Express
