Can fuel cells compete with batteries? – update

100kWh of electricity used to drive a vehicle via fuel cell compared with chemical battery. Fuel cell delivers only one third of the energy to the wheels.
Credit: Ulf Bossel/phys.org/Electrek

Many people find the idea of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV) very attractive. And there is no denying the attraction of a simple replacement of the rapid fueling of an internal combustion engine vehicle for the similar fueling time of a HFCV.

Unfortunately, outside of fast refueling, compared to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) it’s all disadvantages:

● There is almost no hydrogen fueling infrastructure.

● Over 95% of hydrogen is obtained by splitting from fossil fuel – so it is neither no-carbon, nor sustainable.

● Hydrogen can be produced from water using electricity – sustainably if sustainable electricity (hydro, solar, wind etc.) is used.

● Electricity used to drive a vehicle via a hydrogen fuel cell will provide one third of the energy to the wheels compared to the same amount of electricity powering a vehicle via a lithium ion battery. See the diagram at the top of this post.

● Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity only slowly, so a fuel-cell-only vehicle would have unacceptably poor acceleration. Also, an HFC can’t be recharged using electricity, so regenerative braking doesn’t work, substantially reducing the efficiency of a fuel-cell-only vehicle. To overcome these problems, a conventional, rechargeable battery is fitted. The fuel cell charges the battery & the stored electricity is used to drive the vehicle. The battery also provides storage for regenerative braking. As a price control measure, plus all the space taken up by the fuel cell, hydrogen tank etc., the battery has to be small. A small battery can only release electricity relatively slowly. Faster than a fuel cell, but still slowly. As a result, performance is poor. E.g. the Toyota Mirai has been described as, “rather like a Prius, only quieter,” with “0-to-60-mph time of just under 10 seconds”. At $57,500 in USA, how big is the market for a car, which drives like a Prius, is responsible for almost as much CO2 & has almost no refueling infrastructure?

What about BEVs? Are they a viable solution to personal transport?

● While there is almost no hydrogen fueling infrastructure, electricity is available everywhere.

● All commercial BEVs are able to charge overnight on a domestic power point for a normal commute – other options include at work, while shopping for groceries etc.¹

● Fast charging & range greater than 160 km (100 miles) are only necessary for long trips.

● Tesla’s luxury Model S combined with their Supercharger network for long trips (the other half of a BEV-based sustainable personal transport system) has shown how a sustainable personal transport system can work – leaving only the question of cost.

● A question which will be answered by GM’s Bolt 200 mile (320km) BEV which is expected to go on sale for between $30,000–$40,000 USD later this year. Although, without access to a fast-charging network necessary for long distance travel.

● Tesla has promised to show its similarly priced 200 mile BEV, the Model 3, in prototype form, in March 2016 – with access to Tesla’s fast-charging network.

Update – Tesla announced its Model 3, as promised, in March 2016.

Update – Chevrolet's Bolt went on sale in some states of USA in late 2016.

http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/01/fuel-cell-economics-vs-batteries/

http://tonyseba.com/toyota-vs-tesla-can-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicles-compete-with-electric-vehicles/

http://evobsession.com/hydrogen-cars-vs-electric-cars-detailed-comparison-efficiency/

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/05/why-battery-electric-vehicles-will-beat-fuel-cells/

http://phys.org/news/2006-12-hydrogen-economy-doesnt.html
__________

¹ An episode of Fully Charged included a Nissan Leaf owner who was not able to charge at home, but paid her employer for the electricity to charge at work – at a considerable saving compared to the petrol vehicle she previously owned – starts at the 4:20 mark:

/ BEV EV lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge Supercharger Tesla Nissan Leaf range charge recharge fool cells /

Is it the beginning of the end for the rear-ender?

Credit: wfla.com/

Self-driving cars are some way off, but in the meantime, systems which are already available provide improvements in safety. Automatic braking can reduce collisions by 40% & collision alerts can reduce them by 23%.

Even more importantly, automatic braking has been shown to reduce whiplash & other injuries by 45%.

http://www.mynrma.com.au/get-involved/advocacy/news/is-it-the-beginning-of-the-end-of-the-rear-ender.htm

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2015/09/11/carmakers-promise-to-put-automatic-braking-systems-in-every-car-to-prevent-crashes/#35e3d6096ebf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_braking / crash prevention technologies technology automatic braking collision warning proven greatly reduce incidence rear-end crashes subsequent injuries Insurance Institute for Highway Safety IIHS USA studied nationwide police data revealed automatic braking reduces collisions 40 per cent percent collision warning alerts 23 per cent automatic braking reduces whiplash associated injuries 45 per cent collision warning systems registered 6 percent improvement crash avoided systems autobrake good chance preventing injuries reducing impact speed study author IIHS research chief Jessica Cicchino surprise outcome study technologies most effective 65-75 km/h range 54 per cent reduction rear-enders 39 percent 55km/h or less 25 per cent speeds above 80km/h crash rates cars made by Volvo Honda Mercedes-Benz Subaru equipped prevention technologies similar models without safety features mandatory installation devices US USA sold vehicles IIHS National Highway Traffic Safety Administration agreed in principle carmakers make auto-braking standard all new models difficulty studying systems often packaged with other crash avoidance technologies cars study equipped crash prevention technologies also fitted adaptive cruise control tracks vehicles in front maintain safe distances theoretically contribute results cruise control manually activated auto-braking collision warning automatic lane departure warning safety packages factor avoiding rear-enders rear enders cars equipped collision avoidance systems Australian roads generate reliable local data most domestic insurers offer reduced premiums models equipped with the technology /

Health tracker for your guitar

Credit: Taylor Quality Guitars

Humidity is critical to a musical instrument made of wood, both musically & mechanically. If humidity is too high, the instrument can warp. Too low & it can crack. In addition to humidity, the TaylorSense system monitors temperature, impacts & battery life.

An iOS app to monitor the parameters listed above, plus a digital guitar tuner, four track recorder, metronome & guitar care videos is promised for Q2 2016.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2016/01/26/taylorsense-is-a-health-tracker-for-your-guitar/

https://www.taylorguitars.com/taylorsense / IoT Internet of Things activity trackers humans cars homes children pets TaylorSense guitar health monitor Taylor Guitars TaylorSense guitar health monitoring system check your instrument’s vital signs mobile app phone tablet iPod iPad iPhone iOS 8+ Taylor guitar 9V Expression System ES-T ES-N pickup TaylorSense complete replacement 9V system add-on monitor digital hygrometer tracks humidity levels acoustic instruments made of wood humidity too low instruments crack too high wood can warp TaylorSense app alert levels remain too high too low for extended period of time alerts include temperature fluctuations impact alerts battery life warnings humidity level sensor monitor humidity levels ukuleles generic sensor any brand of guitar ukulele other wooden instruments TaylorSense /

Invisible glass

Credit: Salon 24 http://arkadiusz.jadczyk.salon24.pl/

What happened to the end of the glass rod in the liquid? It’s invisible!

How?

To answer this question, it is first necessary to understand a few other things. First up: How do we see anything? One of three ways.

Mostly we see things by the light they reflect – light from the Sun, a desk lamp, whatever, falls on an object – your hand, shirt, desk etc. – light reflected from the object enters you eye & so you see it.

Some things we see because they emit their own light – Sun, stars, computer screen.

Transparent objects are a little bit different. What makes something “transparent” is that light passes right through it – so how can we see it at all?

Part of the answer is that light doesn’t actually “pass right through” – a small part of the light striking say, glass or water, is reflected.

Another part of the answer is that light doesn’t pass straight through a transparent object. As light moves from one transparent medium (e.g. air), into another transparent medium (e.g. glass), the light is bent. this is called refraction.


Light refracted as it passes from air into the transparent plastic block. As it passes from the plastic into the air again, it is refracted in the opposite direction. Note that as the beam leaves the clear plastic block, it is parallel with the beam entering the plastic.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/

How does refraction work? As light passes from one medium to another, it changes velocity. E.g., as light travels from air into the plastic block, in the image above, it slows down & so changes direction. As it leaves the plastic block, it speeds up again & turns back to its original direction.

So why is the glass rod in the beaker at the top of this post invisible?

One more thing to understand before answering this question – How do we see the glass rod above the liquid? Refraction. As light passes from air to glass, is refracted. I.e. it slows down & changes direction. As light exits the glass it is refracted again in the opposite direction. This gives glass (or other transparent material) its unique appearance. It’s why a glass rod looks different from a steel rod or a pencil.

Finally – So why is the glass rod in the beaker at the top of this item invisible?

Because the velocity of light in the liquid is the same as the velocity of light in glass!

As light travels from the liquid (probably cooking oil) into the glass rod, it doesn’t change velocity, so it doesn’t change direction. Thus, light which passes through the glass rod is indistinguishable from light which misses it & passes only through the liquid. That is, the glass rod is invisible!



More about how to do it
http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/disappearing-glass-rods / refractive index index of refraction high dispersion glass low-dispersion glass refraction reflection optical medium velocity of light transparent invisible perspex polycarbonate transparent plastic /

Apple hires top virtual & augmented reality researcher

Professor Doug Bowman
Credit: Virginia Tech

Apple has hired Professor Doug Bowman, from Virginia Tech. Professor Bowman’s field is virtual reality, specifically, “... three-dimensional user interface design & the benefits of immersion in virtual environments.”

Apple has made a number of other acquisitions in the virtual reality field in recent years.

Watch this space.

http://9to5mac.com/2015/02/26/apple-display-projection-systems-for-virtual-reality/

http://www.techinsider.io/apple-hires-doug-bowman-vr-expert-2016-1

http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/22/10813740/apple-vr-expert-hire-doug-bowman-virginia-tech / discovered last year Apple hiring software engineers experience virtual reality gaming user interfaces new job listings Apple’s interest development hardware virtual reality Apple seeking Senior Display Systems Engineer display systems design development virtual reality VR environments Apple experience experienced monitor projection technologies extremely high fidelity VR environments job listing specify test novel display systems virtual environments work with vendors develop custom display solutions design select appropriate hardware software components optimize fidelity variety of VR environments develop software support displaying rendered image sequences display hardware software electrical mechanical engineers testing integration job listing posted Apple seeking Senior Display Software Engineer support graphics software engineering efforts VR environments engineer own display pipeline rendered image sequences display hardware experience motion capture systems acquisition PrimeSense Apple company sensor’s used in Microsoft’s Kinect Apple posted job listings application app engineers work on virtual reality augmented reality experiences Apple patent virtual reality headset products currently on the market Google’s recently launched Cardboard experiment Pinc Samsung’s Gear VR grant granted patent job listings app engineers experienced Oculus Rift VR hardware new job listings Apple developing hardware experience /

Robot can solve a Rubik's cube in one second

Notice that the centre square in each of the faces has been modified. Does this invalidate the result? / LEGO robot Rubik’s cube three seconds dedicated machine more flexible part list popular multi-coloured puzzle 1.019 seconds 1 second pair of guys YouTube Jay Flatland Paul Rose built their own mechanical solver array webcams 3D printed frames stepper motors software program image input cameras converts unrolled version human consumption solver understand robot wired function cameras priming lenses machine video three results: 1.196s, 1.047s smoking 1.019s official recognition breaking world record /

Volvo claims it will have “deathproof” cars by 2020

‘“Deathproof” cars by 2020’ – huge claim. Two things that figure in Volvo’s plans are impact safety & autonomous cars to avoid impacts in the first place.

At the moment, regulations (where they exist), require self driving cars to have a human driver ready to take control if the situation gets out of hand. Volvo plans for their 2020 self-driving car to seize control from the human driver in an emergency.

http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/20/luxury/volvo-no-death-crash-cars-2020/index.html / Volvo pledge 2020 no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car SUV Swedish engineers genuine Lex Kerssemakers CEO Volvo Cars North America one big caveat wants to hurt themselves really really stupid Volvo suicidal maniac total idiot safer driving a new Volvo fatality-free vehicles not unprecedented Volvos according data Insurance Institute for Highway Safety nine vehicle models including the Volvo XC90 no one in the United States died four years from 2009 to 2012 most recent period data is available Volvo based in Sweden owned by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group GELYY entire vehicle line up throughout the world automaker already tracks how many people die vehicles monitor safety engineers how much safer vehicles become new crash-prevention technology helps Volvo predict how much safer vehicles each new advancement new technologies car that can drive itself automakers Volvo sell autonomous cars by 2020 development full autonomy automotive safety Volvo safety engineer Erik Coelingh fully autonomous vehicle drivers have to use car's autonomous driving mode safe driver in full control of the car systems will still run in the background take over the instant there's danger technology autonomous driving already available from Volvo other carmakers crashproof Adaptive Cruise Control already available many new cars uses radar other sensors detect vehicles road ahead set maximum speed car maintains a safe following distance operating accelerator gas brakes systems highway cruising speeds stop-and-go traffic auto lane keeping assist cameras detect lane lines road edges car steers itself stay in its lane collision avoidance radar cameras sensors detect obstacles ahead warn driver driver still doesn't react car apply brakes automatically avoid least reduce impact of a crash auto safety regulators technology particularly effective reducing crashes pedestrian detection cameras see in the dark programmed detect human forms into the path of the car drivers can be alerted car can brake automatically large animal detection hitting moose deer elk animal car's passengers Volvo system detect big animal walking in front of your car /

More record weather events in 2015

2015 was the hottest year on record. Actually, quite a few records were broken, including:

● Arctic ice pack reaches a maximum in winter – no surprises there – in 2015 it was the lowest ever recorded

● highest temperature ever recorded in Germany at 40.3 degrees C (104.5 degrees F)

● California snow pack reached a record low

/ Arctic ice pack reached reaches maximum winter lowest ever recorded highest temperature ever recorded Germany 40.3º C degrees Celcius Centigrade 104.5 degrees F Farenheit Farenheit California snow-pack snowpack snow pack reached a record low 2015 year topped chart warmest year modern record data released today world top meteorological agencies global temperature 2015 0.75C above 1961-1990 long-term average full 1C above preindustrial times official figures UK Meteorological Office Met Office rising greenhouse gases small contribution El Niño in the Pacific combined cause record temperatures 2015 Met Office Prof Adam Scaife Carbon Brief unlikely to be any respite scientists expect 2016 even warmer than 2015 El Niño El Nino contribute 25% most likely new record global temperature 2016 two major US meteorological agencies NASA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA confirmed 2015 warmest year on record Dr Gavin Schmidt Director NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies 2015 remarkable context larger long-term warming trend joint summary head of NASA GISS Dr James Hansen 2015 global temperature smashed the prior record should practically terminate discussion of any slowdown in the pace of global warming global average surface temperatures three major global datasets 1961-1990 average Met Office University of East Anglia NASA NOAA Rosamund Pearce Carbon Brief world’s major meteorological organisations calculate global average surface temperature how the world responding greenhouse gas emissions before the end of 2015 hottest year on record by quite some margin UN climate talks in Paris World Meteorological Organisation WMO first year to see global temperatures rise 1C above preindustrial levels Met Office predicted end of 2014 2015 would be among the hottest years on record global temperature above the 1961-1990 average observed temperature anomaly 0.75C upper end of that range 2015 was the hottest year on record most remarkable is how much hotter it has been levels of confidence measuring global temperature complicated scientists estimates range possible temperatures either side central figure reflect that uncertainty 2015’s global temperature 0.75C above the 1961-1990 long-term average scientists Met Office 1961-1990 baseline preindustrial level preindustrial 1850-1900 average temperature rankings what matters difference between individual years more or less than range of uncertainty more scientists can be confident warmer than the other Prof Tim Osborn University of East Anglia HadCRUT4 global temperature record most complete representation available various sources of error confidently say that 2015 was the warmest HadCRUT4 longest of the three major global time series extending back to 1850 Met Office Climatic Research Unit CRU University of East Anglia graph global temperatures associated uncertainty ranges HadCRUT4 since 2000 2015 next warmest year in 2014 0.18C typical uncertainty of 0.1C 2015 warmest year on record temperature 2015 is the warmest year on record Dr Thomas Karl director NOAA’s National Climatic Data Centre 2015 is the hottest year on record understanding climate change long-term trend relative warmth of individual years huge El Niño event in the Pacific contributed to record warmth in 2015 far stronger impact in 2016 El Niño extreme weather El Niño symptom of the long term warming trend scientists 2015 global temperature natural fluctuations climate can amplify dampen warming signal huge El Niño in the Pacific biggest on record record warmth in 2015 scientists 10 out of the 12 months in 2015 either tied with or broke previous records NASA and NOAA’s joint analysis El Niño Prof Adam Scaife, head of long-range forecasting at the Met Office El Niño current spell of record-topping warmth scientists impact of El Niño on global temperature historical observational record extends back more than a century theoretical computer models simulate even longer periods calculate what happens to global temperature El Niño La Niña winter El Niño peak big effect on global temperature heat to increase ocean basins around the world global temperature record temperature in 2015 record global temperatures in 2015 human activity was the biggest driver of 2015’s record temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions of human origin climate change global warming /

2014 was the hottest year on record

Credit: UK Met Office data plotted by Carbon Brief

2014 was the hottest year on record.

Until 2015 – figures just released show that 2015 was the hottest year on record, by the largest margin on record.

And 2016 looks set to top 2015.

http://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-how-2015-became-the-hottest-year-on-record

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2016/2015-global-temperature

https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/summary-info/global/201512

http://csas.ei.columbia.edu/2016/01/19/global-temperature-in-2015/ / 2015 year topped chart warmest year modern record data released today world top meteorological agencies global temperature 2015 0.75C above 1961-1990 long-term average full 1C above preindustrial times official figures UK Meteorological Office Met Office rising greenhouse gases small contribution El Niño in the Pacific combined cause record temperatures 2015 Met Office Prof Adam Scaife Carbon Brief unlikely to be any respite scientists expect 2016 even warmer than 2015 El Niño El Nino contribute 25% most likely new record global temperature 2016 two major US meteorological agencies NASA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA confirmed 2015 warmest year on record Dr Gavin Schmidt Director NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies 2015 remarkable context larger long-term warming trend joint summary head of NASA GISS Dr James Hansen 2015 global temperature smashed the prior record should practically terminate discussion of any slowdown in the pace of global warming global average surface temperatures three major global datasets 1961-1990 average Met Office University of East Anglia NASA NOAA Rosamund Pearce Carbon Brief world’s major meteorological organisations calculate global average surface temperature how the world responding greenhouse gas emissions before the end of 2015 hottest year on record by quite some margin UN climate talks in Paris World Meteorological Organisation WMO first year to see global temperatures rise 1C above preindustrial levels Met Office predicted end of 2014 2015 would be among the hottest years on record global temperature above the 1961-1990 average observed temperature anomaly 0.75C upper end of that range 2015 was the hottest year on record most remarkable is how much hotter it has been levels of confidence measuring global temperature complicated scientists estimates range possible temperatures either side central figure reflect that uncertainty 2015’s global temperature 0.75C above the 1961-1990 long-term average scientists Met Office 1961-1990 baseline preindustrial level preindustrial 1850-1900 average temperature rankings what matters difference between individual years more or less than range of uncertainty more scientists can be confident warmer than the other Prof Tim Osborn University of East Anglia HadCRUT4 global temperature record most complete representation available various sources of error confidently say that 2015 was the warmest HadCRUT4 longest of the three major global time series extending back to 1850 Met Office Climatic Research Unit CRU University of East Anglia graph global temperatures associated uncertainty ranges HadCRUT4 since 2000 2015 next warmest year in 2014 0.18C typical uncertainty of 0.1C 2015 warmest year on record temperature 2015 is the warmest year on record Dr Thomas Karl director NOAA’s National Climatic Data Centre 2015 is the hottest year on record understanding climate change long-term trend relative warmth of individual years huge El Niño event in the Pacific contributed to record warmth in 2015 far stronger impact in 2016 El Niño extreme weather El Niño symptom of the long term warming trend scientists 2015 global temperature natural fluctuations climate can amplify dampen warming signal huge El Niño in the Pacific biggest on record record warmth in 2015 scientists 10 out of the 12 months in 2015 either tied with or broke previous records NASA and NOAA’s joint analysis El Niño Prof Adam Scaife, head of long-range forecasting at the Met Office El Niño current spell of record-topping warmth scientists impact of El Niño on global temperature historical observational record extends back more than a century theoretical computer models simulate even longer periods calculate what happens to global temperature El Niño La Niña winter El Niño peak big effect on global temperature heat to increase ocean basins around the world global temperature record temperature in 2015 record global temperatures in 2015 human activity was the biggest driver of 2015’s record temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions of human origin climate change global warming /

Jessica Jones returning for a second season on Netflix

Credit: Netflix/deadline.com

Along with the big hit, Jessica Jones, other shows returning for another season on Netflix include:

House of Cards
Orange is the New Black
Black Mirror

New to Netflix is Stranger Things – a SciFi series about the disappearance of a young boy.

http://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2016/01/jessica-jones-is-returning-for-a-second-season-netflix-says/

http://www.blastr.com/2016-1-18/marvels-jessica-jones-returning-season-2-netflix

Also, more series featuring Marvel characters are coming – “any character that’s in there is on the table … It’s always possible. All the characters in the universe could also spin out.” – Netflix’ chief content officer Ted Sarandos

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/17/netflix-marvel / announcing lineup original programming in 2016 Netflix confirmed Jessica Jones return second season Netflix no date premiere of the second season of the show features Krysten Ritter Marvel character online streaming company announced premiere dates bunch shows lineup new scifi show young boy’s disappearance Stranger Things premieres House of Cards returns fourth season Orange is the New Black returning installment series season episode Netflix third season Black Mirror unsettling British show technology affect our lives future first season Jessica Jones released episodes blockbuster block-buster block buster series Netflix planned based on Marvel character first installment Luke Cage premiere this year Daredevil returning second season /

Actually, some bricks-&-mortar bookstores are doing quite well

Credit: visitlondon.com – Best Bookshops in London

You may have read that online-bookstores are driving bricks-&-mortar establishments to the wall. Borders seemed to support that view.

The article linked below argues that some trends are working for bookstores. For example, retiring baby boomers, looking to downsize, sell many of their books to bookstores for 10% of their original price. Bookstores are able to resell them at 50% of original price. That's 400% markup!

More:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/in-the-age-of-amazon-used-bookstores-are-making-an-unlikely-comeback/2015/12/26/06b20e48-abea-11e5-bff5-905b92f5f94b_story.html / opening used bookstore digital age experience books reading book lovers read articles slowing e-book sales independent bookstores thrive catering to readers value bookish places cultural hubs best reading device is paper digital natives prefer reading in print used bookstores quintessential quirkiness eclectic inventory cheap prices back toward print the only book outlets left industry statistics used book sales stores survived initial digital carnage sales are rising better and better every year Susan Burwell co-owner of Reston’s Used Book Shop used bookstore intellectually diverse Northern Virginia city Riverby Books D.C. used-bookstore Capitol Hill closed last year owner reopened the store business side better business business with good economics used bookstores beat Amazon other online booksellers on price offering shoppers browsing experience money saving profit margins used books better than new ones adding used sections good deal entrepreneurs are jumping in experience in government contracting new store small strip mall Georgia Avenue NW Walls of Books chain ­Gottwals Books in Georgia opened eight locations New Orleans training program for owners investment is significant start-up costs chain’s co-founder some franchisees sell books solely for the money unmet demand bookstore down the road closed buy books museum theater cultural center place people want to go good investment used-book retailers bad management bad locations digital Amazon just a few clicks away used-bookstore owners shrewd move widening their customer base listing their inventories on Amazon’s third-party marketplace new-book retailers despise Amazon founder Jeffrey P. ­Bezos Wonder Book & Video three retail locations Maryland sells its used books online through Amazon online retailers sales strong distribution center used books shelves sells books inventory used bookstores books buy location locating culturally diverse book-friendly neighborhoods Riverby Books store neighborhoods Baby boomers downsizing divorce departure death best books sold readings events host bilingual events browsing getting lost in the stacks serendipitous finds used bookstores offer thrill of the hunt Reston’s Used Book Shop old wooden card catalogue book stacks I like books historical fiction find these books online paperbacks half the cover price 400 percent markup profit margins new books pages endurance of print /

Airbnb – some good – some bad

Experiences with Airbnb are generally good. Like buyers & sellers everywhere, most recognise that a good service at a fair price, combined with ethical behaviour on both sides of a transaction, is in everyone's best interest.

On the other hand, in some high-rise, Airbnb guests are holding noisy parties & vandalising common property:

http://www.domain.com.au/news/andrews-government-pressured-to-stop-airbnb-hotels-in-melbourne-apartments-20151216-glnylz/

In Irvine, California a couple found filthy conditions & a remotely controlled, hidden camera, in an Airbnb rental:

https://bgr.com/2015/12/18/airbnb-nightmare-hidden-video-camera/

Although it can’t do anything about the cleanliness of your rental, Motherboard has a script that will find & disable any cameras on a WiFi network. And just in case you are wondering, Motherboard claims that you don’t need to know the WiFi network’s password to use the script. If you are not comfortable running a script on a Unix command line, a device which achieves the same outcome is also available:


Cyborg Unplug can protect your privacy by disabling hidden cameras on a WiFi network. Also disables other WiFi-connected nuisances.
Credit: Cyborg Unplug

https://motherboard.vice.com/read/kill-your-airbnbs-hidden-wifi-cameras-with-this-script / kill Airbnb's hidden WiFi cameras script Internet of Things nightmarish future dystopian science fiction writers always-connected home devices visiting someone's house staying at AirBnB tacitly consenting your every move recorded broadcast over internet WiFi camera dropkick.sh script countersurveillance artist Julian Oliver finds any Dropcam WiFi-connected camera local network disconnects so many women privacy strategically abused new family of devices Oliver told Motherboard Twitter DM stories Dropcams other internet-connected devices secretly spying on them script Dropkick.sh slight tweak glasshole.sh Oliver's scripts Google Glass users blacklisting range of hardware MAC addresses unique to those devices don’t require you to know the WiFi network's password wireless access point's name script de-authenticate devices using aircrack-ng open-source network monitoring suite mine mime artist Adam Harvey Twitter German woman sued AirBnb host AirBnb itself her partner secretly recorded security Dropcam month-long stay California woman staying with male former co-worker Los Angeles Fusion voyeuristic host peeping Tom hidden Dropcam red indicator light covered with duct tape rummage around in other people’s stuff racked with paranoia AirBnB stays hidden right not to be recorded in private spaces script requires access UNIX-style command line running Linux Mac OS X to get it running more user friendly solution Cyborg Unplug plug-and-play network device automatically detects disconnects internet-connected surveillance devices including Dropcam Google Glass WiFi-enabled drones running the script using the plug someone else's network communications law in the USA change in FCC regulations reclassifies de-authentication Oliver's tools form of wireless jamming carry severe criminal penalties your right to privacy is a good thing proceed with caution countersurveillance counter surveillance privacy airbnb dropcam hidden cameras internet of things connected home script dropkick.sh glasshole.sh Julian Oliver futures /

Perspective correction for smartphone photographs

There are a huge number of photo editors for Android & iOS devices, but few of them have perspective correction – SKRWT is one.

Question: What is perspective correction & why would you want it?

Answer:

Perspective correction – out-of-the-camera on the left – corrected on the right
Credit: larry-bolch.com


Image in the process of being corrected with SKRWT
Credit: mjagielski/SKRWT/Google

SKRWT have how-to videos on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzn4GszQdazUDKkyMqBdyaw/videos

Android Police on SKRWT
http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/01/14/perspective-correcting-image-editor-skrwt-comes-to-android/

Lifehacker
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2016/01/skrwt-brings-perspective-correction-to-your-smartphone-photos/

SKRWT for Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=accky.kreved.skrwt.skrwt

SKRWT for iOS
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/skrwt/id834248867?mt=8 / perspective correcting image editor SKRWT Android image editing apps Android same feature set SKRWT lens correction features SKRWT photos smart phone smart-phone smartphone slightly distorted short focal length noticeable buildings anything with straight lines selling point SKRWT fix this distortion a few taps built-in transformations for mobile GoPro wide angle fisheye correction various cropping rotation perspective tools fix composition your photos app seems work well enough image rendering fast lack of text labels on the buttons touch targets too small entirely too close navigation bar nitpicky mobile photos SKRWT brings perspective correction smartphone photos fisheye lens perspective Android iOS most photo editors for your smartphone same features colour correction filters basic cropping SKRWT perspective correction tools SKRWT adjust the perspective of your photos variety of tools correct some common lens distortions fisheye effect GoPro footage both platforms Google Play Store iTunes App Store /

Ripple Maker, can put text, photos or other graphics on coffee foam

Credit: Fast Company

Baristas frequently draw simple objects or patterns in the foam on top of your cappuccino. Ripple, from Israeli company Steam CC, may soon be printing text, your portrait, or other images in the foam on a cappuccino near you. Using 3D & inkjet-printing technologies, Ripple creates images using finely powdered Arabica coffee in around 10 seconds.

Images can be selected from a library of images provided by the manufacturer, added by the coffee shop, or supplied by coffee shop customers via Facebook.



http://www.gizmag.com/ripple-maker/41356/

Manufacturer’s web site
http://www.coffeeripples.com/ / Ripple Maker print your face on your coffee baristas draw hearts leaves foam your cappuccino pattern designs Israeli startup Steam CC Ripple Maker machine reproduces photos text graphics coffee foam Ripple Maker Lufthansa airlines devices First Business Class departure lounges consumer elecronics show CES broader availability system announced purchased serves coffee machine combines 3D inkjet-printing technologies replaceable Ripple Pods containing Arabica coffee powder users prepare foam-topped beverages place cup mug Ripple Maker machine raises mug print head print-head printhead selected design a Ripple applied foam powdered coffee monochrome printing process takes 10 seconds accompanying iOS/Android app users choose online library of Ripples create designs of their own coffee shop customers send in design of their own via Facebook local Ripple Maker equipped shop cafe coffee for a friend with a picture of their face personalized greeting Ripple Maker priced at US$999 $85/month service plan Ripple Pod 1,000 Ripples pods recyclable reusable machine in use /

Magic bullet for cancer

Chemotherapy for cancer is plagued by side-effects: generally, to kill the cancer, extremely powerful poisons are used. May or may not kill the cancer, but almost kills the patient.

But, what if chemotherapy drugs could be delivered only to the cancer, without poisoning the rest of the patient’s body? This is the “magic bullet”, first suggested by Dr. Paul Ehrlich (1854–1915).

Paclitaxel is a chemotherapy drug, commonly used to treat breast, lung & pancreatic cancers. Its purpose is to slow growth, by preventing cancer cells from replicating. Unfortunately, the patient’s body mounts an immune response against Paclitaxel, requiring an increased dose, causing hair loss, muscle & joint pain, diarrhea & suppression of the immune system.

At the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, scientists have been experimenting with exosomes (part of the immune system) as the magic bullet to deliver Paclitaxel. Being part of the immune system, exosomes are not themselves attacked by it.

In-vitro trials show that the exosomes swarm around a tumour, delivering Paclitaxel directly to the cancer. In this way, effective treatment is achieved using one fiftieth of the drug dose which would otherwise be required.


Drug-resistant lung cancer cells are in red. Paclitaxel-loaded exosomes (green) swarm the cancer cells, overcoming their drug resistance.
Credit: University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy/Science Daily

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160114113632.htm

http://www.gizmag.com/drug-delivery-method-cancer-dose/41349/ / Researchers kill drug-resistant lung cancer with 50 times less chemo cancer drugs packaged in immune bubbles home in directly to tumors without getting sidetracked and destroyed; less chemo with better results University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill cancer drug paclitaxel more effective for the first time researchers packaged containers derived from a patient's own immune system protect protection protecting drug destroyed body's own defenses delivering entire payload to the tumor cancer drug paclitaxel just became more effective researchers University of North Carolina Chapel Hill packaged containers patient's own immune system protecting drug body's own defenses entire payload tumor use 50 times less of the drug same results, Elena Batrakova Ph.D. associate professor UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy treat patients smaller more accurate doses of powerful chemotherapy drugs more effective treatment fewer milder side effects Batrakova colleagues UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy's Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery exosomes tiny spheres harvested from white blood cells protect body against infection exosomes same material as cell membranes patient's body doesn't recognize them as foreign plastics-based nanoparticles drug-delivery systems exosomes engineered by nature perfect delivery vehicles technique potential therapy Parkinson's disease using exosomes from white blood cells wrap medicine invisibility cloak hides from immune system exosomes swarm cancer cells completely bypassing drug resistance delivering their payload Paclitaxel potent drug first second-line treatment breast lung pancreatic cancers serious unpleasant side effects hair loss muscle joint pain diarrhea patients greater risk of serious infection experiment Batrakova's team extracted exosomes mouse white blood cells loaded them with paclitaxel tested treatment exoPXT multiple-drug-resistant cancer cells petri dishes team needed 50 times less exoPXT achieve the same cancer-killing effect formulations drug currently Taxol researchers tested therapy mouse models drug-resistant lung cancer loaded exosomes dye track their progress lungs exosomes thorough seeking out marking cancer cells surprisingly effective diagnostic tool powerful therapeutic accurately mapping extent of tumors lungs biggest challenges treating lung-cancer patients Batrakova results powerful exosomes therapeutic diagnostic /

ArcaBoard – a hoverboard that may just be the real thing – video (update)

2015 being Back to the Future year, a couple of hoverboards came out of the woodwork, but one was limited to copper-surfaced skateparks & the other was essentially special effects.

Arguably, just a year late, ArcaBoard is a hoverboard that just might work. Some limitations though:

● load limit 82kg (180lbs)
● running time of 6 minutes

● heavy duty version can carry a heavier load, but running time is only 3 minutes

● price $19,900
● plus an extra $4,500 for a fast-charger
● 35 minutes charging time
● or without the fast-charger, charging time of 6 hours
● deliveries scheduled to start in April 2016



Aparently, the video above doesn't scale correctly on some hardware/browser configuratons. If this effects you, try
https://www.youtube.com/embed/7TnqBM_KUyE

The Economist
http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21685441-rocket-scientists-have-come-up-hoverboard-works-skating-mcfly

ArsTechnica
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/12/arcaboard-is-a-real-hoverboard-but-itll-cost-you-13500-2/

Gizmag
http://www.gizmag.com/arcaboard-hoverboard-arca-aerospace/41063/

And just by the way, here's the full story on the Lexus hoverboard


Doesn't look right? try https://www.youtube.com/embed/bvYUq6Ox0Hc
/ Marty McFly 2015 Back to the Future Part II discovered levitating skateboard film prediction 1989 hoverboards wheel wheels hovering fancy electronics stabilisers keeping them upright hover boards hover, employing magnets demonstrated work only over appropriate metal surfaces lash-ups powered four leaf-blowers hovercraft hoverboard film of hoverboarders gliding across car park Los Angeles elaborate YouTube hoax 2015 2016 real thing on sale ArcaBoard skateboard built composite materials contains 36 high-powered electric ducted fans model jet aeroplanes fans run battery pack of 72 lithium-polymer LiIon lithium ion batteries cells provide over 200 kilowatts of power manufacturers claim lift mass weighing 82kg 180lbs ArcaBoard’s configuration six minutes beefed-up version lift heavier people flight duration three minutes ArcaBoard developed by ARCA Space Romanian aerospace company recently moved its headquarters to Las Cruces New Mexico firm built rockets high-altitude drones worked with European Space Agency hoverboard arose discussion firm’s engineers about machine possible Dragos Muresan ARCA Space vice-presidents built prototype idea grew put device into production first hoverboards delivered in April rider steers board by shifting body weight provide yaw built-in stabilisation system gyroscope accelerometer connected to a computer keep the board level adjusts thrust individual fans control two degrees of freedom movement pitch roll proximity sensor board’s underside ensures it stays 30cm above the ground speed-limiter rate of progress below 20kph 12mph hoverboard price $19,900 extra $4,500 for fast-charger top up batteries 35 minutes rather six hours hoverboard made by rocket scientists pricey aerospace technology hope to get the price down first mobile phones began as clunky costly devices limited performance /

Never lose your iPhone charging cable again

Have you ever:

● left you phone charging cable at home?

● had a cable fail as the internal wires break after extended use?

● been unable to find an outlet or USB port to charge your phone?

Boomerang has a solution for your iPhone 6/6s – a case with built in, retractable charge/data cable + optional built in battery.

Indiegogo project page
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/boomerang-never-lose-your-iphone-charger-again#/

Manufacturer web page
http://boomerangcase.com/ / Boomerang never lose your iPhone charger again iPhone 6/6s case with a built-in 2ft retractable charger & optional additional battery pack two part case optional battery LiIon lithium ion charge charger recharge charge protection raised lip protect screen glass /

Why selfies are important

Donald “Chip” Pugh, 45 is on the run from the Lima (Ohio) police, for failure to appear. He is also a person of interest in separate arson & vandalism cases. Police have sent out alerts, but Chip feels that the mug shots included don’t do him justice.

When interviewed on Classic Rock 104.9 (Lima OH), Chip alleged, “They did me wrong, man. They put a picture out that had me looking like I was a Thundercat or somebody man. Like James Brown on the run.”¹

So he sent the police a more flattering selfie. Lima (Ohio) police, in the spirit of fair play, agreed to add the photograph supplied by Chip to future alerts.

Justice served.


Credit: Lima Police/Facebook/The Register

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/01/12/man_sends_cops_selfie/
__________

¹ Classic Rock 104.9: “Idiot of the Day”, http://1049theeagle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/chippugh.mp3 / court idiot of the day The Eagle police selfie /

Will next-generation iPhone ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack?

Sound crazy? Consider this:

● phone manufacturers are obsessed with making their devices thinner – apparently driven by their customers’ perceived obsession with stuffing them into skinny jeans

● removing anything from a phone allows it to be repackaged to reduce any dimension – including thickness

● Apple has shown themselves to be ready to delete components which others consider essential – floppy disk, DVD drive

● Apple has been ready to create or adopt new standards before others – USB, Firewire, Thunderbolt, Lightning

● in 2014, Apple defined a spec for Lightning connected headphones

● this is not without precedent – HTC/T-Mobile in 2008, released the first Android phone in the world, with no 3.5mm plug, using the USB port for headphone connection, in addition to charging & data i/o¹

● Lightning headphones already exist²

● an online petition asking Apple not to dump the 3.5mm jack has 200,000 signatures³

● Bluetooth headphones may be used

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2016/01/report-next-generation-iphone-design-will-ditch-the-3-5mm-headphone-jack/
__________

¹ Engadget: “Confirmed: T-Mobile G1 has no 3.5mm headphone jack”, http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/23/confirmed-t-mobile-g1-has-no-3-5mm-headphone-jack/

² Gizmodo: “These $800 Lightning Headphones Make Your iPhone's 3.5mm Jack Redundant”, http://gizmodo.com/these-800-lightning-headphones-make-your-iphones-headp-1747045839

³ Phone Arena: “More than 200,000 people petition to save the 3.5mm headphone jack in the iPhone 7”, http://www.phonearena.com/news/More-than-200000-people-petition-to-save-the-3.5mm-headphone-jack-in-the-iPhone-7_id77278 / iPhone thinner iPhone 7 rumor mill Fast Company design ditch standard 3.5mm headphone jack make phone thinner Japanese website Mac Okatara November Fast Company 9to5 Mac anonymous sources lend extra weight to the claim Apple developing different potential accessories replace ubiquitous 3.5mm EarPods ship iPhone headphones connect via Lightning port spec Apple defined Lightning headphones 2014 charge phone listening to music phone support wireless charging Apple Watch Android Windows phones completely wireless headset Apple Beats acquisition no wire connecting headphones iPhone no wire connecting left and right earbuds together Apple testing replacement headphones solutions market dongle standard headphones dropping headphone jack thinner phone important extra battery space freed up relatively deep headphone jack dumping old technology drive adoption new technology typical Apple behavior ubiquity 3.5mm jack guarantee consumer pushback Internet petition 200,000 people signing Apple dump 3.5 mm jack plug every computer tablet phone buy billions 3.5mm headphones guarantee a painful transition /

Tesla update delivers autonomous park & summon (video)

With version v7.1 of the software, Tesla Model S is able to autonomously park or be summoned using the key fob. Suitable automatic garage doors can also be controlled by the vehicle. Requires hardware fitted to Model S since October 2014.


Credit: Ricco831/YouTube

Tweaks to the Autopilot system include:

● speed restricted to 5 mph over the listed speed limit

● improved lane following at gaps in lane markings & worn lane markings

More video at:

Jalopnik
http://jalopnik.com/you-can-now-autonomously-park-and-summon-the-tesla-mode-1752037395?rev=1452385634686&utm_campaign=socialflow_jalopnik_twitter&utm_source=jalopnik_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Road & Track
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/news/a27842/telsa-software-update-limits-autopilot-adds-remote-park/

Autoblog
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/01/10/summon-tesla-model-s-new-autopilot-feature/ / now autonomously autonomous park summon Tesla Model S Tesla Motors software update Model S tweaks car’s car Autopilot feature allowing owners autonomously park summon update v7.1 Autopilot software Model S allow owners instruct cars pull into or out of parking spaces autonomously via key fob Motherboard similar BMW included newest 7 series system required owner manually guide car into the spot all on its own autonomously parking Tesla software in action video James Mejarus standard hardware every Model S built since October 2014 cameras sensors vehicle’s bumpers car will park itself come out of its parked spot upon request garage doors videos YouTube user Ricco831 Model S garage door opener connected garage door via a HomeLink connection car autonomously open garage door park itself close the garage door behind itself park car reverse parked owner summons settings second video customizable settings variable stop distance allowance for parking in tight spaces lined up flat driveways user key fob within close proximity stopped at any point pressing center button key fob update Model S park traditional parking spots perpendicular curb most Tesla charging stations v7.1 software update tweak Autopilot system Model S, restricting vehicle only five mph over listed speed limit person in the driver’s seat roads residential environment without center divider updated software parking upgrades determine types of vehicles around road better lane adjustment passing gaps in road markings highway exits faded markings Autopilot Autopilot semi-autonomous driving future /

Tim Cook calls notion of Apple avoiding US taxes “political crap”

Apple CEO, Tim Cook
Credit: Carlo Allegri/Reuters/The Guardian

Why is he laughing?

Could you make the claim in the headline & keep a straight face?

Apple is doing something similar in Australia & probably your country too.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/dec/19/tim-cook-calls-notion-of-apple-avoiding-us-taxes-political-crap / Apple chief executive Tim Cook dismissed total political crap technology giant avoiding taxes Cook’s remarks CBS 60 Minutes show debate United States corporations avoiding taxes techniques inversion deals company re-domiciles tax base another country Apple saves billions dollars taxes through subsidiaries Ireland declares overseas profit Apple pays every tax dollar we owe Cook told 60 Minutes Charlie Rose excerpts interview released Friday Cook bringing profits back United States of America USA cost 40% reasonable thing to do Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations investigated Apple’s tax strategies company avoided paying $9 billion US taxes strategy involving three offshore units no discernible tax home residence press office subcommittee request for comment Cook’s remarks Apple holds $181.1bn offshore profits more than any other US company owe estimated $59.2bn taxes bring money back to the United States recent study SEC filings showed current tax code industrial age digital age Cook fixed Rebecca Lester assistant professor of accounting Stanford Graduate School of Business Cook’s colorful language frustration lack movement tax reform in Washington companies government game of chicken which one moves first corporations unwilling bring overseas money tax implications want Washington to act Tim Cook frustrated Apple shares closed Friday /

How well does the Tesla Model X work as a tow vehicle? (video)

Tesla Model X SUV
Credit: Green Car Reports/Tesla Motors

Almost no electric vehicles (EVs) are designed for towing. A problem for some.

Only the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV & the Tesla Model X are approved for towing by the manufacturer. “PHEV” in the name of the Mitsubishi stands for “Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle”. Electric-only range is actually quite short, at up to 50 km.

That leaves only the Tesla Model X as an EV with towing capability:



http://ecomento.com/2016/01/06/how-well-does-the-tesla-model-x-ev-work-as-a-tow-vehicle-video/?utm_content=bufferbc541&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer / Tesla Model X owner Max Kennedy hooked heavy 4,850 lb boat trailer drive how towing would impact range EV electric vehicle electric car SUV 4 wheel drive 4WD AWD all wheel drive towing anything heavy reduce range by 50% or more 212 miles range reduced to under 100 miles journey not surprising every vehicle uses more fuel tow a heavy trailer difference Model X vehicle that could replace typical tow vehicle pickup truck SUV refueled quickly towing chores Tesla will need stop at least a half hour every 100 miles recharge battery towing a significant load heavy substantial load Model X owners won’t be towing horse trailer cross country limited range won’t be an issue many had hoped range penalty would not be as great as it is Tesla selling many Model X cars /

First Drive – Chevrolet Bolt 200 mile electric car prototype

Chevrolet Bolt at CES 2016
Credit: Jalopnik

Green Car Reports has driven a prototype of Chevrolete's mass market, ($US30-40,000) Bolt, 200 mile (320 km), range electric car, due for release as a 2017 model.

Some interesting technical details are now available:

● flat battery under the floor, abandoning the space-robbing T-shaped battery pack the Volt inherited from the EV1

● front-wheel-drive

● performance is good – GM claims 0-to-60-mph in less than 7 seconds

● passenger volume of 94.4 cubic feet is larger than the Nissan Leaf (92.4 cubic feet) & even the 94 cubic feet of the externally much larger Tesla Model S

● cargo volume 16.9 cubic feet

● Michelin self-sealing tires instead of spare tire or inflator kit^1,2

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1101705_first-drive-chevy-bolt-ev-200-mile-electric-car-development-vehicle

http://jalopnik.com/the-chevrolet-bolt-is-exactly-what-tesla-motors-wanted-1751470440

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2016/01/07/first-drive-chevrolet-bolt-is-a-shocker-that-might-convince-you-to-buy-an-electric-car/

http://www.cnet.com/products/2017-chevrolet-bolt/

Tesla plans to release their Model 3, with similar range & price, in a similar time-frame. It will also have free access to the Tesla Supercharger network for the life of the vehicle.³ Given a choice between two otherwise-similar vehicles, easy, free, long distance travel is likely to tip many buying decisions.
__________

¹ Michelin’s self-sealing tires appear to make a spare, inflator kit or run-flat capability, superfluous.

² Tire Business: “Michelin claims self-sealing tire technology could be a game-changer”, http://www.tirebusiness.com/article/20110620/ISSUE/306209976/michelin-claims-self-sealing-tire-technology-could-be-a-gamechanger

³ Hitchhikers Guide 2 Tech: “More about the third generation Tesla electric vehicle”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/more-about-third-generation-tesla.html

/ production version 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV engineering development vehicles drove affordable 200 mile electric cars broad mass market Chevrolet Chevy let journalists drive integration vehicles test latest versions software GM's Bolt EV team Volt drive ride Chevrolet Bolt EV production car Nissan Leaf 2017 Chevy Bolt EV twice the range passenger space more modern interior Bolt EV drove Las Vegas parking-lot course uncloaked spy shots last year's Detroit Auto Show concept upright five-door hatchback blunt nose very short front and rear overhangs Bolt EV chief engineer Josh Tavel shortest overhangs of any vehicle in GM's global lineup Orion Michigan assembly plant Bolt EV platform suspension components body structure flat battery pack under the floor 2017 Chevy Bolt EV development GM LG Chem partnership engine transmission innovative crash engineering stubby nose lower cradle traction motor driveline upper cradle power electronics frontal transverse energy transfer absorption highest safety ratings Volt like silver vertical hatch opening spacious load bay 16.9 cubic feet cargo volume portable 120-Volt charging cord under load bay Bolt EV users owners recharge large battery pack 240-Volt Level 2 charging no spare tire inflator kit first car market to use the latest development of Michelin's self-sealing tire technology run-flat tires seal around any nails other small punctures cabin thin front seats extra inch rear legroom seating four adults sit comfortably five-passenger passenger volume two segments larger car's exterior size Pam Fletcher GM's executive chief engineer electrified vehicles short overhangs Bolt EV is wide interior space suitable long distance travel by four Chevy Bolt EV electric car prototypes testing traction electric motor engine Bolt easy to park flat floor seats comfortable occupants sit upright dashboard fully digital 8-inch instrument cluster behind steering wheel central 10.2-inch touchscreen display console graphic design user-configurable displays Bolt EV GM's new digital rear-view mirror standard rear-facing camera wide 80-degree image crisp digital display replaces mirror glass General Motors GM Chevy Bolt electric car 200 mile range enclosed test course development Bolt accelerated acceleration cornered relatively flat 17-inch alloy wheels steering positive self-centering action no motor or electronics whine audible brake feel consistent regenerative friction braking Bolt EV left-hand paddle Volt driver increase regenerative braking rate one-pedal driving Low mode one-pedal driving General motors GM variable-regen paddle accelerator paddle one-pedal driving development team felt combined long range affordability functionality performance connectivity GM engineers Bolt EV /

34623km, 3258 litres of fuel NOT burned, 8466kg CO2 NOT polluted

Adis Cengic tweeted about his non-polluting electric car:

2015 stats: 34623km, 3258 litres of fuel NOT burned, 8466kg CO2 NOT polluted #sustainable #transport @TeslaMotors pic.twitter.com/zDhOHTYVOA

— Adis Cengic (@adiscengic) January 2, 2016

Tesla retweeted, @ which point, a nay-sayer chimed in:

@TeslaMotors @adiscengic But how much CO2 to generate the power plants to charge the cars?

— Scott Clark (@flyingtiger1) January 4, 2016

Not sure what, “generate the power plants”, means, or how much CO₂ (carbon dioxide) that would produce, but Adis Cengic tweeted again about the CO₂ NOT produced by his electric car:

Zero -0- 100% renewable energy by #hydropower in #sogn #norway https://t.co/3KbDKgg37S

— Adis Cengic (@adiscengic) January 4, 2016

Norge (Norway,⁰ where Adis Cengic lives) has 98+% hydro electricity,¹ plus some wind.²

Few places in the world are supplied by a grid with a carbon footprint as small as Norway. Running an EV on a substantially fossil-fired grid, the issues are quite complicated,³ but will still produce less CO₂ than a fossil fueled car.⁴
__________

⁰  Wikipedia: “Norge”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norge

¹  Hitchhikers Guide 2 Tech: “Nissan Leaf second generation”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2014/04/nissan-leaf-2013.html

²  Wikepedia: “Renewable energy in Norway”,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy_in_Norway

³  HHG2Tech - Long: “Why does an electric car generate less carbon dioxide than a petrol powered one?”, http://hhg2t-long.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/why-does-electric-car-generate-less.html

⁴  Hitchhikers Guide 2 Tech: “Settled: electric vehicles are cleaner than their fossil-fuel-burning cousins”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/its-settled-electric-vehicles-are.html

/ Tesla Model S electric car charge recharge Supercharger LiIon lithium ion battery electric vehicle EV generates carbon dioxide CO2 pollutants internal combustion engine ICE coal burned generate electricity short answer long answer take into account all CO2 generated fuel mined pumped the rubber hits the road well to wheels accounting many jurisdictions significant fraction electricity generated non-fossil fuels energy used delivering petrol diesel fuel tank of an ICE exploration petroleum oil drilling transporting raw petroleum well head refinery refining raw petroleum fuel transporting fuel from refinery to vehicle long transportation distances transportation raw petroleum refining capacity countries USA raw petroleum imports enormous quantities feed demand coal typically requires little processing generation steam turbine power station crushing to a suitable size removal of dust transportation often virtually eliminated siting power station adjacent to a coal mine regenerative braking EV is driven ICE wasteful solution slowing moving vehicle throw the energy away radiating the kinetic energy stored in the moving vehicle heat through the brakes regenerative braking uses the electric motor in an EV generator convert kinetic energy electricity return it to the battery EVs are substantially off peak coal fired power does not throttle well run at a substantial fraction of its maximum capacity 24/7/365 electricity providers sell electricity cheaper off peak rate during some hours of the night EV charged significant carbon neutral element electricity used would otherwise be converted to heat in the grid car owner off peak rate electricity providers market energy off peak pricing often requires that devices be hard wired more aerodynamically efficient petrol powered EVs fitted with low rolling resistance tires EVs are an enabling technology renewable energy renewable energy supply often intermittent solar only when the Sun shines wind only when the wind blows development is in progress smart grid take power from the batteries of EVs renewable sources city's vehicle fleet electric storage batteries smart grid enable 100% renewable electricity EVs use zero fuel when stopped at lights in traffic ICE idles when stopped in traffic starting from cold ICE produces disproportionate pollution catalytic converter reaches operating temperature petrol powered vehicles run rich after a cold start EV less CO2 other pollutants the further it is driven renewable sources of electricity being installed round the world small amount of pollutants EV charged from grid will reduce over time more renewable generation capacity is installed ICE has a larger CO2 footprint the further it is driven as an ICE wears efficiency falls fuel consumption increases carbon footprint becomes bigger oil industry utilised sources of petroleum require more & more energy to produce offshore drilling Canadian oil sands tar sands USA oil shale source of fuel quantify one barrel of oil invested oil exploration drilling pumping produced 100 barrels 1970s one barrel invested produced about 25 barrels Jay Hanson barrel of oil natural gas petrol gas gasoline tar sand greenhouse gasses barrel of final production of conventional oil gasoline tar sands Toyota Prius carbon footprint General Motors Hummer Al Gore completely circumvent fossil fuel use buy green energy EV owner green electricity electricity provider installing renewable capacity EV owners EV Jay Hanson Bruce Pile Al Gore electric cars smart grid electric vehicles reduce greenhouse gas emissions /