Aug 09: Researchers based in the U.K. have discovered that laser ignition
instead of ignition via spark plugs can
improve the efficency of
an internal combustion engine. If laser ignition were incorporated
in todays
high gas mileage cars it would certainly improve
them further.
Liverpool University was the site for the research and university scientists
teamed up with Ford engineers to look into this technology. Ford plans to
produce cars with laser ignition within a very short time frame - just two
years! Aside from using a smaller quantity of fuel when starting a car and
during subsequent driving, the team found laser ignition to be more reliable
in colder weather and required less electricity than spark plugs. Laser
beams also offer other interesting possibilities that spark plugs can't.
Its possible to split the beam to create several points of ignition within
the cylinder. A laser can also be reflected back to a sensor to deliver
detailed data on things such as the type of fuel being used. It might be
possible to check the quality of gas being used.
Ford will take an important step towards having high gas mileage cars by
implementing laser ignition across their fleet. They will also reduce their
fleets carbon dioxide output which is very important in order to meet the
forthcoming EU and US regulations which will come into effect in the next
few years.