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21/11/14
22:30
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Originally posted by capnludd
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The rotary may be stupidly simple but that is a double-edged sword in terms of the Wankel engine. Sure, it's been tried - over many decades but has never been picked up by a mainstream automaker. At least by NSU for a time and by Mazda for a bit longer - do they even still make a rotary engine? High revving, powerful but a bad proposition for vane wear. Nevertheless - you never know - It is a problem that may be someday resolved. Don't know about the rotary's low end torque characteristics though - maybe that is a consideration in their general lack of success?
That said, I am not to concerned about Graphite needing EV's for it to have widespread application. There is always its quality as an Additive. It is the Viagra of composite manufacturing - and metallurgy - it makes everything stiffer and stronger. Wait till they start using it in 3D printing. They already 3D print aircraft components, rocket engines and even scaled up to printing houses ( with cement as the printing medium) - just add graphite and voila - its tougher, lighter, more earthquake resistant. Yhis material has a future that goes a long way past kevlar tennis racquets. The next time you buy some high end sports shoes maybe you will marvel at the durability of the graphite infused rubber sole.
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One of the main reasons for the continued life of the IC engine is it's ability to cover such a wide range of power ouputs and rev ranges, there is nothing else as good
The rotary is one that is perfect for running at a set speed which of course suits using it drive a generator to recharge batteries