An electric scooter in the works from Dean Kamen uses a Stirling external-combustion engine to generate power. Could burning random stuff for fuel be the next wave of transportation?

Dean Kamen-Designed Electric Scooter Can Run on Anything A prototype scooter from Dean Kamen uses a Stirling external-combustion engine as an generator to drive an electric motor. External-combustion engines predate their internal-combustion counterparts by nearly a century. Gizmag

The external-combustion engine predates its internal-combustion counterpart by nearly a century. Internal combustion won out for modern automobiles by way of its more robust production of horsepower and torque. But Segway inventor Dean Kamen is working up several new uses for the venerable Stirling external-combustion engine. The latest is a electric generator that can use almost anything that burns as fuel. It's the centerpiece of a new hybrid-electric scooter that may never need recharging.

Kamen's already demonstrated a Stirling-engine car, and some say he’s been seen tearing around the Kamen estate on his Stirling-powered electric bike. Stirling engines are also under development as auxiliary power for houses, and Gizmag says Kamen’s also working on a Stirling engine-powered robot for the US military that can "eat" wood or leaves and never needs recharging. Also known as Chuck Norris.

[via Gizmag]

Want to keep track of the latest concept cars, automotive innovations, and more? Subscribe to Popular Science today, for less than $1 per issue!

2 Comments

Any work on the engineering or specs? How many carbons are produced when it burns 'anything'? How about the efficiency?

From what I have seen Kamen is an awfully bright fellow who has created some marvelous stuff. However, I can't understand the props he gets for the Segway. From all I can tell it's a real non starter. Some of his other stuff seems much more impressive.

Is this world breaking news! I am not sure that I would encourage people to use any "thing flammable" to run my bike. Surely there are limitations! More information is required in order for me to process this!

www.valuemobility.co.uk


138 years of Popular Science at your fingertips.

Innovation Challenges



Popular Science+ For iPad

Each issue has been completely reimagined for your iPad. See our amazing new vision for magazines that goes far beyond the printed page



Download Our App

Stay up to date on the latest news of the future of science and technology from your iPhone or Android phone with full articles, images and offline viewing



Follow Us On Twitter

Featuring every article from the magazine and website, plus links from around the Web. Also see our PopSci DIY feed


February 2012: The Future of Fun

Science is reinventing play, from extreme sports to gamification to ridiculous roller coasters to the playgrounds of tomorrow, and this issue is chock full of fun. Also, on a less fun note: Did global warming destroy my hometown?


circ-top-header.gif
circ-cover.gif