U.S. Department of Energy gives out $24 million for algae biofuels research
Filed under: Biodiesel, Emerging Technologies
For several years now, algae has been known to have huge potential as a feedstock for biofuels because it can yield up to 100 times as much fuel per acre than conventional sources like corn and soy. The problem is that no one has had much success commercializing production in a financially viable way.
To help spur things along, the United States Department of Energy has announced three grants totaling $24 million to consortia working on various aspects of algae cultivation and fuel production. A team led by Arizona State University is getting $6 million to investigate the use of algae biofuels, while a team from University of California, San Diego is getting $9 million to work on the algae itself, including the development of strains that are suitable for cultivation and use as a feedstock. The final $9 million is going to a group led by Cellana, LLC to develop large-scale production processes.
[Source: U.S. Department of Energy]
Continue reading U.S. Department of Energy gives out $24 million for algae biofuels research
U.S. Department of Energy gives out $24 million for algae biofuels research originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
No IPO Talk, But New Product Tidbits from GM’s Global Business Conference
General Motors made it clear before its first annual Global Business Conference it would not entertain any questions about a much-anticipated initial public offering. And since there were only financial analysts in attendance — journalists were in “listen only” mode for the webcast — nobody violated the restriction. We did learn a few things, including the enthusiasm some of the new execs have for the vastly changed corporate culture at the company, and a rundown of some future product.
“I saw a company that was overly complicated, that over-analyzed,” Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre said of the culture when he joined. He also saw a company with global scope, scale and capacity, one that deserved to survive.
North America President Mark Reuss said GM’s incentive spending is down $1,200 per vehicle since June 2009, and its inventory has been cut in half, to about 400,000. Market share is about 20 percent in the U.S., with four core brands instead of eight.
Steve Girsky, vice chairman, corporate strategy and business development, who also worked for GM in 2005-06, said the automaker has cut unnecessary reports and meetings. GM International Operations “used to do 90 different reports a month. Now they do three.”
Before Girsky’s presentation, Tom Stephens, vice chairman, global product operations, gave a rundown of upcoming product. Financial analysts at the GM Tech Center got to see pictures of the new models. Cameras were not allowed.
Range Rover pushing for Sport hybrid
JLR are pushing for a hybrid RR Sport. Jaguar Land Rover is making good progress on the technology, with more than 100 engineers devoted to development.
“Hybrid is an expensive [engineering] investment and an expensive piece cost, so the focus has to be on larger vehicles,” said Land Rover boss Phil Popham.
Progress is focused on the Range Rover Sport, a hybrid version of which is being currently tested. Targets include a range of 20 miles and top speed of 50mph in electric-only mode, and CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km combined, but Land Rover’s hybrids boss Peter Riching said, “Our projections are that it will be a lot less than that.”
The new technology – which includes an 8 speed ZF gearbox with integrated electric motor and no torque converter, plus a 160 litre lithium ion battery pack – adds around 200kg to the vehicle. But new weight savings actually result in a lower kerb weight.
Spy Shots: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 caught towing
Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, SUV, Jeep
The last generation Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 was always one of our favorite high-performance SUVs and its 6.1-liter Hemi V8 lunacy never failed to delight. Thankfully, with the brand-new Grand Cherokee now entering showrooms, a new SRT8 is apparently on the way as well.
A low-riding, big-tired, deep-chinned Jeep has been spotted out testing with a trailer, and it looks to be the SRT8 successor. The new model will likely be powered by an upgraded Hemi that’s punched out to 6.4-liters with an output boosted to 480 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
The prototype dispenses with the central exhaust tips on the old model in favor of more typical outboard pipes, which at least makes it easier to rig up a tow hitch. While this could change back for production, the fact that the prototype is toting a trailer could be a sign that Jeep wants to improve its utility beyond the 3,500 pounds of the outgoing model.
[Source: InsideLine]
Spy Shots: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 caught towing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Incoming search terms:
- srt8future
- grand cherokee srt8 towing
- jeep grand cherokee srt8 towing
- srt 8 future
Pikes Peak 2010: Ducati takes top honors in the “big boy” class aboard stock Multistrada?
Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Motorcycle, Racing
Its all uphill from here for the new Multistrada – Click above for high-res image gallery
When it comes to proving a point on a motorcycle, there are two good ways to get it done. The first thing to do is keep your mouth shut and let your results speak for themselves. The second is to repeat the process as often as possible! If Ducati was out to prove the point that their all-new Multistrada was capable of taking on the biggest, baddest bikes on the planet, in one of the most respected and feared formats on or off the pavement, than we must say… mission accomplished.
Ducati’s freshman effort racing the Multistrada 1200S at “The Peak” in the 1205-or as we like to call it, the Big Boy-class was a great success as not one, but two Multistradas took the high and low position on the podium, locking up fist and third. Of interest was winning pilot Greg Tracey’s comments about his victorious factory Ducati: “This is my first year on a factory motorcycle and I’ll tell you that bike was box-stock. It had some carbon, and few tweaks and that was it.” From what we can see, other than a few bolt-on items, suspension tweaks and special paint, it appears that Mr Tracey is telling the truth.
Although all of this leaves us very impressed, wanting nothing more than to get our hands on a shiny new Muti and head for the nearest fourteener, it must be mentioned that the win comes in a class lacking some of the major competitors who traditionally show up to send a beast up the hill (including BMW). But hey, maybe Ducati will have so much confidence leaving Colorado they can challenge BMW to a head-to-head Mini versus Porsche type shootout? For now, we’ll just say congratulations to Ducati, Greg Tracey and Alexander Smith for some fine work. Hit the break to read the full press release straight from the horse’s mouth.
Incoming search terms:
- multistrada high pikes
Porsche is preparing to manufacture all new compact crossover
In the European media rumors that the company Porsche is developing a compact crossover.
New Porsche SUV, which will be built on the platform of Audi Q5, will be released on the world automotive scene in 2012.
Wheel-drive model, while having no name, will receive engines V6 and V8, as well as 5-speed automatic.
The first official information on the new crossover from Porsche, the first computer photos that are already available on the Internet, should appear in the autumn of this year.
Via Cool Cars
Incoming search terms:
- future compact crossovers
- porsche crossover 2012
- porsche compact 2012
- Fj Toyota spy 2014
- 2012 compact crossover
- tata safari black2012
- new porsche crossover
- new porsche cross over
- new porsche compact
- new porsche 2012
- new crossover 2012
- future porsche compacte
- all new porsche crossover
- 2012 porsches
- 2012 porsche suv images
- 2012 new porsche
- upcoming porsche compact crossover
Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL smiles for the camera
Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury
2012 Mercedes-Benz SL spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
With all the hype surrounding the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, it’s easy to forget that the SL and SLK roadsters are still a crucial part of the automaker’s lineup. We’ve seen the next generation of the baby SLK out testing, and now our spies have caught a larger 2012 SL mule out and about.
Up front, the more upright fascia with the dinner plate-sized Three-Pointed Star logo is the biggest change, as are the revised headlamps, which seem to be less angular than the ones found on the current SL. Looking below, we can see that LED running light strips have been fitted at the lower air intakes (something that’s quickly becoming standard equipment across the automaker’s portfolio), and out back, the triangular taillamps have been smoothed out a bit.
Our crafty spy photographers have also managed to get a glimpse inside the new SL. A new sport steering wheel is in place, and even though we don’t have the photographic proof, we’re told that the rest of the interior (center console, etc.) is akin to the new design found in the SLS AMG. Fine by us.
Click through the gallery below to see the full set of high-res Mercedes-Benz SL spy shots.
Incoming search terms:
- sl spy 2011
