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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: USSEnterprise on January 08, 2006, 12:57:53 am

Title: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: USSEnterprise on January 08, 2006, 12:57:53 am
I was just reading about a Ford concept car. Its called the Model U. Not only is it a hydrogen powered car, which scares the living hell outta me, but it is made...naturally. Older cars rust. This one dissolves. The outer body panels are made out of a "natural fiber composite" covering an aluminum frame. Additionally, some of the parts are made out of "soy fibers". So when you get into an accident, not only is it going to produce one hell of a fireball, but it will also taste good with soy sauce.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: DrewKaree on January 08, 2006, 08:51:10 am
Just think, if you run into a cow or deer with 'em (yes, people HAVE run into cows in WI ::) ), the soy fibers will take on the characteristics of the meat being burned cooked.  It'll be the best smelling auto accident EVAH!
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 08, 2006, 11:49:44 am

It will really help the hydrogen car cause when people stop saying things like "it will cause one hell of a fireball".

Do you really think it would be designed in a way that that could happen any worse than with a gasoline car?

BTW, rust IS natural and it IS the car dissolving.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: USSEnterprise on January 08, 2006, 11:54:42 am
I'm not sure. It was just my guess that a tank of compressed hydrogen would make one ---fudgesicle--- of a bigger KABOOM than a gasoline tank
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 08, 2006, 12:25:56 pm

It will probably be liquid.  IIRC, liquid hydrogen does not go boom.  Only gaseous hydrogen.  I could be wrong on that but don't think I am.

Combustible elements are only combustible in certain states and in certain mixtures.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: RayB on January 08, 2006, 02:17:33 pm
Combustible elements are only combustible in certain states and in certain mixtures.

Like in Texas, with lots of beer.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: JonnyBoy on January 08, 2006, 06:45:15 pm
Yeah, the problem is right now it's pretty darn hard to create and store liquid hydrogen. I'm excited to see it though, in my opinion it's a step in the right direction.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Ed_McCarron on January 08, 2006, 07:38:55 pm
IIRC, they are working towards storing H2 in a metal matrix, as a metal hydride.

Much safer, higher energy density, but requires energy to remove H2 from the matrix.  Needs a hefty battery to preheat the hydride to release the starting fuel.

Plus, it doesn't go boom.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: JonnyBoy on January 08, 2006, 07:56:34 pm
Actually, I remember seeing something like that. Some sort of material that produces pure H2 when heated?
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: GGKoul on January 08, 2006, 10:24:18 pm
All the details can be viewed here: http://www.conceptcar.co.uk/concept-cars/concept-car-46.php


Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: USSEnterprise on January 09, 2006, 12:03:37 am
Is that image CG?
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 09, 2006, 08:50:06 am
I'm not sure. It was just my guess that a tank of compressed hydrogen would make one ---auto-censored--- of a bigger KABOOM than a gasoline tank

Seems like I remember hearing once that a gallon of gasoline packs the same explosive punch as something like two sticks of dynamite. Even assuming that the hydrogen prouces a bigger explosion than the gasoline, what difference would that make? You'd be just as dead either way.

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 09, 2006, 10:14:10 am

Maybe you die either way, but a bigger explosion has the potential to take more people with it.

Same amount of material making a bigger explosion also possibly means a more likely explosion by the nature of physics.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 09, 2006, 10:36:36 am

Maybe you die either way, but a bigger explosion has the potential to take more people with it.


If I'm dead, why would I care about other people? I mean I barely care about other people as it is.

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 09, 2006, 10:41:28 am

The manufacturer would, obviously, since more deaths = more lawsuits and no one likes to pay those damn attorneys.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 09, 2006, 10:43:31 am
F'em. They stabbed a baby.

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 09, 2006, 10:43:56 am

That's it!  Someone design a car that runs on babies.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: danny_galaga on January 10, 2006, 07:58:32 am
Yeah, the problem is right now it's pretty darn hard to create and store liquid hydrogen. I'm excited to see it though, in my opinion it's a step in the right direction.

where will the hydrogen come from? it takes a LOT of energy to make it. or convert it from petroleum. either way, lotsa a fossils will need to be used...
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 10, 2006, 08:03:37 am

Hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth.  It's in the air and in the water.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: danny_galaga on January 10, 2006, 08:22:47 am

Hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth.  It's in the air and in the water.


sigh...

how will you EXTRICATE the hydrogen from the oxygen without using more energy than you gain?  ok, PLANTS do it by photo-synthesis but i don't think you are suggesting that is how we will process our hydrogen...
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 10, 2006, 08:34:55 am

That's the question, yes?  And they're going to answer it.  They wouldn't be building prototypes if the answer wasn't either already here or coming in the near future.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 10, 2006, 08:59:19 am

That's the question, yes?  And they're going to answer it.  They wouldn't be building prototypes if the answer wasn't either already here or coming in the near future.

Sure THEY would. You never know what THEY might be up to. Where's my tin foil hat?

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 10, 2006, 09:07:50 am

Under your pile of hydrogen extraction theories.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 10, 2006, 09:37:24 am
No good. Those were all stolen by gov't agents in a black helicopter.

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 10, 2006, 10:47:29 am

That now curiously run on hydrogen.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 10, 2006, 11:22:21 am
I need a tin foil house.

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 10, 2006, 11:25:29 am

Just line your walls with it.

Or get a bigass TV dinner and live in that.

Holy crap, do they even make TV dinners anymore?
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 10, 2006, 11:32:36 am
They do, but they sadly no longer come covered in high grade, US Gov't inspected, mind control blocking foil.

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 10, 2006, 11:33:52 am

Damn, I used to dig those.

That and Jiffy Pop.  Man, now that I think about it, I can't even make Jiffy Pop. It would score the snot out of my ceramic stovetop.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 10, 2006, 11:38:45 am
Jiffy Pop, on the other hand, is still available. The wife and I took some along on a camping trip not long ago. Somehow it's still just as fun to pop as it was when I was 8. :)

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: DrewKaree on January 10, 2006, 12:23:57 pm
See if they make something like that cell phone jammer.  Only in your case, you need one that's non-specific, and will cover your house, perhaps block, city, or state. 

Better yet, I'll build you one and set it up for you.  Drop me eleventy brazilian dollars in the mail and I'll do all the work for you.  You should feel results in 3-6 weeks.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: SirPoonga on January 10, 2006, 12:26:08 pm
I'm not sure. It was just my guess that a tank of compressed hydrogen would make one ---auto-censored--- of a bigger KABOOM than a gasoline tank
There's a scientific american with alan alda episode about this.
No, hydrogen is better than gas if something wrong happens.  If you put a puncture in gas vs hydrogen what is going to happen?  Gas will leak onto the ground, so if it catches on fire it engulfs the entire car.  Hydrogen will convert to gas (it is liquid in the car), and stream out.  Since it is lighter than air it goes up.  If it catches on fire you will see something like setting hairspray on fire.  It won't spread around the car.

If you can find that episode watch it.  Pretty cool stuff coming in the future.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: SirPoonga on January 10, 2006, 12:27:00 pm
Just think, if you run into a cow or deer with 'em (yes, people HAVE run into cows in WI ::) )
Mus thave been drunk because cows are slow and don't move :)  Deer pop out of no where!
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 10, 2006, 12:28:06 pm

When it's dark and you're not paying attention and the cow was already in the road, whap.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: SirPoonga on January 10, 2006, 12:31:36 pm
how will you EXTRICATE the hydrogen from the oxygen without using more energy than you gain?  ok, PLANTS do it by photo-synthesis but I don't think you are suggesting that is how we will process our hydrogen...
But it takes less external energy (oil) to do this than all the cars using oil.

Iceland collects hydrogen form their geothermals too.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: SirPoonga on January 10, 2006, 12:32:31 pm

When it's dark and you're not paying attention and the cow was already in the road, whap.
Ok, if it was dark and snowing I could see that, well, not really since farmers will have put their cattle away.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 10, 2006, 12:33:54 pm

No way.  That cow is a loner, Dotty.  A rebel.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: DrewKaree on January 10, 2006, 12:34:07 pm

When it's dark and you're not paying attention and the cow was already in the road, whap.


Bingo.

A buddy of mine had an ex-girlfriend run into one.  She was drunk and her headlights needed replacing, she thought it was a friggen deer and figured it'd move. 

Way I see it, she deserved everything that happened to her.  It's just too bad the cow had to suffer the result of her stupidity.  Better a cow than another human being - the ass hattess.

Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: DrewKaree on January 10, 2006, 12:35:16 pm

When it's dark and you're not paying attention and the cow was already in the road, whap.
Ok, if it was dark and snowing I could see that, well, not really since farmers will have put their cattle away.

Dude had a hole in his fence and had 5 get out.  He found all but 2, and then he only had to look for 1

*edit*
Kinda close by you now.  Take 110 west to Fremont.  Close to Poygan Lake
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: mr.Curmudgeon on January 10, 2006, 12:36:01 pm
I need a tin foil house.

-S

(http://www.blacktable.com/images/0401pics/foil/fridge.jpg)

(link (http://www.blacktable.com/elder040114.htm))


mrC
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 10, 2006, 12:37:00 pm

But his fridge has no beer.

That man is insane, having a fridge with no beer.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 10, 2006, 12:37:23 pm
 

Better yet, I'll build you one and set it up for you.  Drop me eleventy brazilian dollars in the mail ...

Look at all that pink and purple! Our money sure is gay.

(http://www.banknotes.com/BR200.JPG)

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: DrewKaree on January 10, 2006, 12:44:29 pm
 

Better yet, I'll build you one and set it up for you.  Drop me eleventy brazilian dollars in the mail ...

Look at all that pink and purple! Our money sure is gay.

(http://www.banknotes.com/BR200.JPG)

-S

That's only 500.  I need eleventy brazilain minus that bill, whatever that adds up to.  Or subtracts down to. 
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 10, 2006, 02:14:08 pm
Somebody else can do the math, I'm only here for the bad jokes.

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Ed_McCarron on January 10, 2006, 02:19:50 pm
I was too busy trying to figure out why half the people on those bills are hanging from the ceiling.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 10, 2006, 02:41:09 pm
I was too busy trying to figure out why half the people on those bills are hanging from the ceiling.

Brazil has transvestite bathrooms. Maybe that has something to do with it.

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: SirPoonga on January 10, 2006, 04:16:43 pm

But his fridge has no beer.

That man is insane, having a fridge with no beer.
Is that even possible?
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 10, 2006, 04:18:29 pm

But his fridge has no beer.

That man is insane, having a fridge with no beer.
Is that even possible?

I have no intention of finding out.

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 10, 2006, 04:23:40 pm
Is that even possible?

Which, being insane, or having no beer in the fridge?
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 10, 2006, 04:27:05 pm
Is that even possible?

Which, being insane, or having no beer in the fridge?

Wouldn't the latter lead to the former?

(http://stingraysmadness.com/EE/images/smiles/homer.gif)No beer and no TV make Homer something something...

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: DrewKaree on January 10, 2006, 07:41:33 pm

But his fridge has no beer.

That man is insane, having a fridge with no beer.
Is that even possible?

I think for those darn whippersnappers, it's the ONLY possibility.  Unless they know a guy.  Like Dave.  But Dave's not here, man.  And if he was, I bet it's that fruit, Dave Robertson ;)
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Luxury on January 10, 2006, 07:58:17 pm
Go Crazy?
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: danny_galaga on January 11, 2006, 05:21:08 am
how will you EXTRICATE the hydrogen from the oxygen without using more energy than you gain?  ok, PLANTS do it by photo-synthesis but I don't think you are suggesting that is how we will process our hydrogen...
But it takes less external energy (oil) to do this than all the cars using oil.


I'm pretty sure it does. that was my point...
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Stingray on January 11, 2006, 09:00:43 am
Go Crazy?

Don't mind if I do!

-S
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: nostrebor on January 11, 2006, 12:57:18 pm

But his fridge has no beer.

That man is insane, having a fridge with no beer.
Is that even possible?

I think for those darn whippersnappers, it's the ONLY possibility.  Unless they know a guy.  Like Dave.  But Dave's not here, man.  And if he was, I bet it's that fruit, Dave Robertson ;)

I am too here... and I like fruit.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 11, 2006, 01:00:35 pm

I want a car that runs on EA Sports games for the Genesis.  I have to many of those I could fuel my whole town for a month.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Luxury on January 11, 2006, 01:05:40 pm
I prefer a vehicle that doesn't hurt Mother Earth.  It's a go-cart, powered by my own sense of self-satisfaction.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 11, 2006, 01:09:25 pm

It runs on smugness.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: More Cowbell on January 11, 2006, 01:29:13 pm
I prefer a vehicle that doesn't hurt Mother Earth.
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: Luxury on January 11, 2006, 08:30:33 pm
I prefer a vehicle that doesn't hurt Mother Earth.  It's a go-cart, powered by my own sense of self-satisfaction.

I want a car that runs on Ed Bagley, Jr.
Touche
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: danny_galaga on January 12, 2006, 07:10:56 am


  They wouldn't be building prototypes if the answer wasn't either already here or coming in the near future.

just thought about that again. the reason is called 'green-washing'
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: ChadTower on January 12, 2006, 09:18:11 am
 ???
Title: Re: Ford Model U. WTF?
Post by: danny_galaga on January 13, 2006, 04:18:52 am


remember BP solar? was a great idea. but in the end the limited amount of research they did was purely just to make them look more environmentally responsible. once that was achieved they didn't bother much any more. job done. lots of companies do it. i myself think hybrid cars fit into this category and also hydrogen cars as they stand. if a car company was REALLY serious they would put a lot more into hydrogen production technology, rather than cars...

http://www.jonentine.com/articles/social_responsibility_movement.htm