Info Bit #1

For my first info bit I decided to look farther into a coffee powered car.

Here is a link to the website:
http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2011-09/video-coffee-powered-car-sets-land-speed-record

Since the technological aspect behind powering this vehicle (Gasification) is a little difficult to explain, I will let the folks at Popular Science do that for me. Quote on quote from their website:

"Gasification works by introducing oxygen or steam to an organic, carbon-based material (such as coffee beans, in this case) and increasing the temperature until a synthetic gas made of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane is created and burned up by a regular internal combustion engine."

I thought it was interesting to see that there are continued use of organic materials to power vehicles. Though there is enough fossil fuels on this planet to power my vehicle for the rest of my life, it is more of a concern for future generations. The most popular form of non gasoline fuel is the use of canola oil to produce fuel. Now with the invention of this coffee powered car, there is yet another form of fuel to harness.

Some unforeseen consequences of using this coffee powered car is the ever increasing price of coffee beans. If bean prices continue to increase the way they are right now, running this coffee powered car may be more expensive then running a normal gasoline powered car.

Fall Reading List...

I am reading an interesting book called "Super Freakonomics". Its the follow-up book to the first book Freakonomics and address interesting issues such as "Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes and Why Suicide Bombers Should By Life Insurance"

As I read more I will keep updating you on interesting parts of the book....