Coke Fuelled Rocket Car
Posted on 15 June 2010 by LynThomas in Uncategorized
Two American scientists, Fritz Grobe and Stephen Voltz, have developed a rocket car that is fuelled purely by Coke Zero and Mentos.
The pair, have become internet stars by video-taping crazy experiments under the pseudonym of EepyBird. They have previously won awards for their viral videos of Mentos and Coke geysers, which can shoot Coke 10 metres into the air. Their videos have been viewed an estimated 120 million times.
The three-wheeler vehicle gets it propulsion from a chemical reaction between the carbon dioxide in Coke and the sugar coating on Mentos lollies. They used 108 two-litre bottles of Coke and 648 Mentos mints to propel the vehicle 67 metres.
The ‘car’ has been more than four years in the making. It uses a simple piston and cylinder mechanism to harness the surge of Coke created when the carbon dioxide in the Coke reacts with the rough sugar coating of the Mentos lollies.
The process that creates the violent reaction is called nucleation, where the carbon dioxide attaches itself to particles in the Mentos and forms bubbles.
Voltz says he hopes the experiment will get people thinking outside the box when it comes to alternative fuels.
“Perhaps someone can find alternative fuels that are a bit more practical, however,” says Grobe.
Serious fuel alternatives include, ethanol, made from corn and other crops. It produces less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels. However, scientists believe it is more energy efficient to use good farm land for food production, rather than alternative fuel.
Biodiesel is derived from vegetable oils and animal fats, while natural gas, a fossil fuel, generates less air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
Propane, also called liquid petroleum gas, (LPG) is a domestically abundant fossil fuel that generates less harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
Hydrogen can be produced domestically from fossil fuels (such as coal), nuclear power, or renewable resources, such as hydropower. Fuel cell vehicles powered by pure hydrogen emit no harmful air pollutants.
The tropical island of Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, is using coconut oil to produce an environmentally friendly fuel.
Solar Car
Solar powered vehicles however, are becoming a successful contender, if Australia inventors have their way.
A three-wheeled, two seater, electric car has been designed by the University of Australia. It is powered by 45kg lithium ion batteries, giving it a 150km range and a top speed of 12 km/h. The vehicle weighs only 300kg, thanks to its honeycomb and fibreglass body. The new model will have solar panels mounted on its roof.
The vehicle falls under the category of motorcycle, rather than a car, making it one of the most efficient and safest motorcycles on the road. You require a motorcycle license to drive it.
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15 June 2010
[...] Fritz Grobe and Stephen Voltz, two American scientists, have developed a rocket car that is fuelled purely by the reaction between Coke Zero and Mentos lollies. Read how effective this violent ‘nucleation’ was and how it affects alternate fuels… [...]
biodiesel should be the stuff that we should put on our engines because it is a renewable fuel ~
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