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Compressed air cars

By Murray Bourne, 11 May 2006

There are 2 very promising inventions that use compressed air as the energy source. The first, from France, drives a piston engine (which does not require any ignition of a carbon-base fuel).

Di Pietro engine
The second, which seems more promising, is from Australia and it drives a light (13kg) and simple rotary engine.

The compressed air is held in tanks made of carbon fibre. Why? If the tanks are damaged in an accident, a metal-based tank would explode and cause a lot of damage. Carbon fibre will split and cause little damage. besides, it is light and very strong.
Di Pietro vehicle
This is a small vehicle powered by the Di Pietro rotary engine.

The current high price of oil means these alternative energy source proposals can get a serious hearing - and the oil companies have less impact on the US & other high polluting governments.

air engine
The inventor, Di Pietro and his engine.

There is more info on similar engines at Quasiturbine.

Bring on the alternatives to gas guzzling cars!

See the 6 Comments below.

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