Nikola One semi trailer tractor Credit: Nikola Motor Company/Autoomobile
It’s not as spectacular (either in numbers or dollar value) as pre-orders for the Tesla Model 3, but over 7,000 pre-orders worth $2.3 billion for the Nikola One semi trailer tractor is none-the-less, impressive.
With, “6x6 100% electric drive”, this looks like the solution to the sustainable long distance haulage problem. However, Nikola also claims, “Never plug in – turbine charges batteries automatically while driving”. Sounds like a serial hybrid.
Wrightspeed use a serial hybrid drivetrain, with turbine, for short-haul, such as delivery & garbage trucks. In such applications, efficiency is improved over a conventional, internal combustion engine vehicle because the electric component of the drive-train allows energy to be recovered in the frequent stops in such applications.
Long-haul, almost by definition, is not start-stop, so little gain in efficiency should be expecteded through that avenue. On the other hand, energy recovery going down hill can have a significant effect on overall efficiency.
The largest battery currently available in a Tesla Model S is 90 kWh, so a, “320 kWh battery”, represents the potential for a substantial injection of energy from the grid.
Perhaps most important for customers’ bottom line, is the, “Nikola complete leasing program $5,000 a month. Includes lease payment, unlimited miles, unlimited fuel, warranty & scheduled maintenance.”
And the name? “Nikola”, was the first name of Nikola Tesla, the famous electrical engineer.
https://nikolamotor.com/one/ Nikola One semi trailer tractor prime mover electric truck pre-orders Nikola Motor truck 7,000 big rigs ordered in just one month 2.3 billion dollars coolest trucks ever seen better than Optimus Prime CEO of Nikola Motor Company reservations 7,000 reservations deposits launching electric class 8 semi-truck Nikola One tech technology 10 to 15 years in front other OEM MPG emissions fuel efficiency only OEM almost zero emission trucks outperform diesel trucks 80,000 pounds Trevor Milton CEO reservations 7,000 worth 2.3 billion dollars leasing program Nikola One truck costs $4000 to $5000 per month configuration options chosen first million miles of fuel included offsets monthly leasing cost by 100% average diesel more than $400,000 and over 1,000,000 miles maintenance costs more than $100,000 lease of the Nikola One costs eliminated drive around very cool looking truck Nikola One unveiling /
Scientists from CSIRO (Commonwealth Science & Industrial Research Organisation) in collaboration with RMIT University (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) & QUT (Queensland University of technology) have developed a process for pretreating lithium ion battery electrodes which:
● extends battery life
● increases performance
● improves charge efficiency
● reduces risk fire & explosion
● increases performance
● increases service life
http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/csiro-scientists-say-salt-bath-will-boost-lithium-ion-battery-performance-safety-88721/ Scientists from CSIRO Commonwealth Science & Industrial Research Organisation collaboration RMIT University Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology QUT Queensland University of technology developed process pretreating lithium ion battery electrodes extends battery life increases performance improves charge efficiency reduces risk fire & explosion increases performance increases service life Australian research team CSIRO treating lithium-ion lithium ion LiIon batteries salt bath extend shelf life performance safer potentially game-changing breakthrough battery technology uptake electric vehicles CSIRO scientists collaboration RMIT University QUT demonstrated pre-treating battery lithium metal electrodes electrolyte salt solution extends battery life increases performance and safety research Nature Communications accelerate development next-gen energy storage solutions battery range anxiety electric car industry CSIRO battery researcher Adam Best pre-treated lithium metal electrodes outperform other batteries research pre-treating lithium metal electrodes create batteries charge efficiency greatly exceeds standard lithium batteries Dr Best pre-treatment process immersion lithium metal electrodes electrolyte bath ionic liquids lithium salts battery assembled batteries materials prevent the risk fire explosion rechargeable battery issue adding protective film surface electrode helps stabilise battery in operation pre-treatment reduces breakdown electrolytes during operation battery’s increased performance and lifetime Dr Best undergone process up to one year on the shelf without loss of performance shelf life QUT researcher Associate Professor Anthony O’Mullane pre-treatment method easily adopted by manufacturers existing manufacturing processes electrolyte salt solutions CSIRO holds patents range of chemical compositions team of scientists currently developing batteries technology partners materials devices market /
Introduced species have a disastrous record around the world. Rats, rabbits, cats, pigs, goats … the list is almost endless. This is because, without the diseases & predators which keep a species’ numbers in check in its native environment, almost any species can grow to plague proportions. Thus some obscure feral pests, such as camels in northern Australia.
Control measures include shooting, poisoning, & biological control. Results with biological control have been mixed. Poster child is the complete control of the prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) with the cactoblastus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum, a.k.a. cactus moth, South American cactus moth, or Nopal moth) in Australia.1 In other cases, the intended biological control has itself become a bigger pest than the organism it was introduced to control. E.g. stoats introduced to control rabbits in New Zealand,2 & cane toads to control cane beetles in Australia.3
In the Galapagos Islands, introduced rats pose a threat to many of the species which inspired Charles Darwin. One suggestion is introduction of more rats – specifically GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) rats. In this case, the genetic modification in this case, is a gene drive which will cause all offspring of the GMO rats to be male. Result would be that within a few generations, the entire rat population would be male. Problem solved, after that generation dies off.
3 “Cane toad breeding population located in Sydney”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2011/04/cane-toad-breeding-population-located.html/ beetle breeding population cane toad feral pest population Sydney cane toad exotic birds Galapagos Islands tortoises iguanas archipelago become overrun more prosaic animals rats mice rodents old sailing ships rodents stowed away modern cruises rodents eat eggs chicks hatchlings animals Charles Darwin islands all over the world Island Conservation nonprofit rids islands invasive species daring plan genetically engineer rodents all turn into males shrinking population one lonely pest at a time plan going into effect serious airing report National Academy of Sciences often makes recommendations controversial areas of research make-all-rodents-boys idea case studies gene drives engineered pieces of DNA spread more quickly through wild population gene wouldgene drives way to cheat evolution gene drives dangerous and unpredictable manmade DNA sequence wild population National Academy’s report guidelines scientists responsibly study method genetically altering wild plants and animals environmentalists long decried genetically modified organisms embrace them for conservation gene drives a way to prevent mosquitoes from spreading disease scientists engineered mosquitoes gene drives kill the parasite behind malaria working on gene drives eradicate mosquitoes that spread dengue chikungunya Zika or make them resistant viruses recent rise of Crispr gene-editing technology scientists construct gene drives gene drives benefit humans restore natural habitats tropical islands beset with invasive rats what is natural engineer animals restore nature environmentalists long decried genetically modified organisms conservation New Natural
Kent Redford director Wildlife Conservation Society Institute working definition natural synthetic biologists conservationists conservationists Ryan Phelan executive director Revive and Restore promotes synthetic biology genetic rescue endangered and extinct species two groups talking specific problems like invasive rodents on islands genetic modification current approach to killing island invasives enthusiasm gene drives British island of South Georgia pilots spread 200 tons of bait one helicopter load at a time blanketing island rat poison brodifacoum blood clotting rodents die internal bleeding birds mammals high doses gene drive most humane way possible all-male population live out their natural lives Heath Packard communications director Island Conservation Islands well suited gene drive solutions ocean is a natural barrier against their spread invasive rodents are a critical problem Charles Darwin discovered islands hotbed of biodiversity 40 percent critically endangered species in the world live islands rats mice easy genetic target scientists tinkered genetics lab laboratory downside unintended consequences ecology is complicated nobody put a gene out in the wild before Island Conservation scientists investigating gene drives game-changing eradication technology Crispr research partners Texas A&M University North Carolina State University studying naturally-occurring gene drive mice Crispr technology Island Conservation partnered US Department of Agriculture Australia’s national Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation CSIRO regulatory approval field planning fundraise gene drive research National Academy report conservation scenarios gene drives off mosquitoes spread avian malaria Hawaii controlling invasive knapweeds US forests report how to define nature understand the value attached to nature difficult philosophical and social problems report open questions growing and heated debate among environmentalists values that underpin environmentalism gene drives unnatural how natural dropping tons of rat poison out of the sky scientists can construct gene drive conservationists permission release mice as planned islands Galapagos benefit huge rat poisoning campaign rid the Galapagos of most of its pests boat traffic there rodents make their way to the islands again Charles Darwin observations understand laws of natural selection scientists technology cheat the game /
Tesla has a proprietary fast charging network, with charging rates between 90 & 125 kW.
Long range electric cars are in the works from GM, Audi, Porsche & others.
Charging facilities for these manufacturers are patchy at best, &/or slow.
To fix “slow”, the CHAdeMO Association will be releasing an amendment to the protocol late this year, & the first 150 kW charging station is planned for 2017.
All-electric long-haul trucking, on the other hand does not yet have a solution. Although Swiss rail-infrastructure company Furrer+Frey has a suggestion: tractor swapping.
Be sure to check the comments on the articles linked below – lots of interesting discussion.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2016/05/2060530-furrerfrey.html/ Furrer + Frey proposes tractor swapping solution electrification long-haul trucking Furrer + Frey provider rail electrification rapid charging systems transport tractor swapping solution electrification long-haul trucking Furrer + Freylong-time partner Opbrid provider overhead pantograph-based ultra-fast charging Opbrid Bůsbaar buses IAA 2014 Opbrid introduced Trůkbaar heavy-duty trucks Trůkbaar one element Furrer + Frey tractor swapping solution Furrer + Frey acquired Opbrid operations presentation outlining concept Roger Bedell founder Opbrid Furrer + Frey numerous studies 2020-2030 heavy-duty vehicles overtake passenger cars largest global contributor fuel consumption GHG green house gas greenhouse gas green-house gas emissions transport sector solutions shifting long-haul trucking electric drive overhead catenaries in-road inductive charging ultra-fast battery recharging battery swapping require major investments infrastructure heavier lower energy density LTO batteries ultra-high charging rates technically difficult size battery packs expensive dedicated stations proposed tractor swapping model tractor-trailer low battery charge pull into station fully charged tractor waiting driver switches tractors departs with a full pack first tractor recharges recharge enabling technologies streamline the process Jost KKS automated coupling system fully automatic driver assistance system controls all functions coupling decoupling process previously performed manually first automated interface pneumatic electric connections Furrer + Frey Opbrid Trůkbaar Opbrid Trůkbaar designed ultra high power mode 4 DC charging up to 650 kW power transfer conductive technology transferred European electric rail industry Furrer + Frey power transfer enables scenarios super short charge stops 24-hour operation advantages are clear simple fast, without need for large infrastructure projects disadvantages need to be addressed Bedell precise scheduling avoid idle tractors nstallation KKS system participating tractors and trailers delays can propagate through the system similar delays air travel business model favors large shippers Bedell estimates range required per tractor 200 km 124 miles plus buffer wind hills tractor-trailer electricity consumption same as 12 m bus 1kWh/km 2kWh/km pack 400 kWh /
Sustained weight loss is a difficult & complex question, apects of which are addressed in the video below. The most interesting part triggers my, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is,” reflex, but the experimental evidence is in: rats fed a diet equivalent to thickshakes, burgers & fries unsurprisingly, gain weight & develop other symptoms of obesity, such as inflammation, increased blood pressure, insulin insensitivity & reduced heart & liver function. When plant juice, rich in the purple anti-oxidant pigment anthocyanin was added to the diet, all of the harmful effects were reversed!
More about anthocyanin & the Queen Garnet Plum http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-14/antioxidant-rich-plum-to-fight-obesity/6094914/ Associate Professor Amanda Salis University of Sydney clinical weight loss trials finding better ways to lose weight keep it off for long term shape of the human body changing dramatically prevalence of obesity has doubled in the last few decades Professor Stephen Simpson proportion of the population that was considered obese epidemic number of obese children has tripled population is getting fatter nine million adults are overweight explosion of fat-related diseases two out of three Australians overweight obesity is the new normal BMI bodyweight science fight against fat intervene kids at risk before they're born conventional genetics at play Dr Nathan O'Callaghan 50 genetic variants associated with obesity contributes 5% of the variation in body size increase in global obesity can't just be explained by eating too much exercising too little our bodies in our brains environment Why am I still fat? your efforts to lose weight helping you to keep the kilos on in-built survival mechanism controlled by our brain the famine reaction effects famine reaction makes you hungrier increases your drive to eat famine reaction famine reaction broken my diet I gained weight dieted myself fat personal experience motivates her research TEMPO diet trial University of Sydney world-first research three-year study long-term effects weight loss in 100 post-menopausal women compared effects fast versus slow weight loss famine reaction head-to-head two types of diets are being compared very low energy diet of 800 calories a day fast weight loss conventional diet slow weight loss women study keen gardener medical researcher participants controlling weight classic yo-yo dieter yoyo dieting yo-yo dieting eating well cooking slow and steady diet TEMPO trial dieter heart attack lean leaner weighed more diet fast-track diet rapid weight loss diet trial obese don't notice putting weight on like an addiction dieters who lose bodyweight put it back on again within five years why is maintaining weight loss so difficult why do so many dieters hit a wall the longer you carry weight the harder it is to lose it hypothalamus in your brain resets the amount of fat your body defends famine reaction keeps you craving food lose weight feel hungry DEXA scan type of X-ray measures the mass of fat muscle lean tissues mineral density of bone calculate how much fat in the different regions of the body impact of the famine reaction measure body composition famine reaction alters your hormones make your body inclined to hold onto fat midriff region makes your body more inclined lose lean tissues muscle and bone fat mass lean mass calorimetry hood measures metabolic rate how much fat burning famine reaction increases drive to eat makes body more fuel-efficient more fuel efficient relaxed awake measuring resting energy expenditure changes with weight loss affects how many kilojoules you burn over the course of the day affects how much you can eat without putting on weight TEMPO trial testing participants reporting how hungry they feel rapid weight loss should be avoided makes the famine reaction stronger first progress results diets don't work for everybody more drastic intervention to lose weight rapidly making it harder for food to fit in your stomach lap-band operation unfit feel unhealthy never feel well go out for walks food obsessed with food think about food all the time lap-band surgery inability to lose weight type 1 diabetes high blood pressure high BMI lose 30kg bariatric surgeon life-threatening diseases come with obesity lap-band tool lap-band under your skin stomach adjustable keyhole surgery relatively safe nerves that control appetite neurologist Amanda Page nerves allow the stomach communicate with the brain difficult situation once you're obese to actually lose that weight again weight gain resets the sense of feeling full stomach mouse nerves fire when receptors respond to stretching tension-sensitive nerve in the stomach nerve record the nerve activity nerve activity increases signals to the brain full regulating appetite brain wouldn't know when to stop eating compares stomachs of lean mice obese mice response to stretch dramatically humans obese person just stop eating reset the receptors lean condition non-surgical therapy for obesity Bariatric surgeon Stephen Wilkinson install lap-band laparoscopic instruments lap-band abdomen stomach band oesophagus stomach simple operation lose excess weight our society values thinness and health encourages us to overeat and consume more blame obesity on food manufacturers resistance from the industry labelling healthy choice nutritional individual nutrient groups finding best mix in a balanced diet carbohydrate protein fats appetite control automatically priority protein fats carbohydrates taste like protein lipsmacking amino acid umami flavours diluting protein makes food cheaper to make good for business bad for appetite control savoury snack food industry potato chip protein decoy tastes like protein bodies evolved associate flavour cues with protein loaded up fat carbs carbohydrates protein appetite unfulfilled continue snack eat more subversive extra calories why we get fat white fat cells protect us providing a safe home for lipids keep the fats out of our organs overloaded swell and burst leaking lipid into the bloodstream body's defences red alert inflammatory reaction chronic low-grade inflammation causes organ damage cardiovascular fatty liver disease insulin resistance diabetes Professor Lindsay Brown stops obesity stops inflammation Toowoomba University of Southern Queensland medicinal power natural foods counteract obesity reverse inflammatory effects fruit and vegetables color colour color colour purple anthocyanin natural pigment range of compounds in plants keep systems healthy ours too veggie vegetable highest anthocyanin purple carrots are by far the best amazing amount of anthocyanin fruits queen garnet plum ordinary purple plum five or ten times as much of the purple colour in it anthocyanins rats fattened diet similar to thickshakes burgers fries BMI Body Mass Index BMI most of the Australian human population obesity obese rats bodies blood pressure going up quite dramatically heart function is going down liver function going down abdominal fat pad increased hormones go up whole of the body affected characteristic of obesity Professor Lindsay Brown inflammatory response every organ organ immune anthocyanin-rich anthocyanin rich juice food half the rats anthocyanins purple carrots queen garnet plums completely changes changed the diet high-carbohydrate high-fat diet intervention all of those parameters characterise obesity back to normal billion-dollar billion dollar multinational company-type company type product carrot plum rats human clinical trials food driving obesity young children nearly one in four children are overweight or obese obesity leading threat to public health new science emerging research synthetic chemicals act like hormones change the way our bodies react to fat obesogens oestrogen estrogen oestrogen estrogen mimic exposed to these chemicals phthalates bisphenols phthalates bisphenols in their bodies plasticisers plasticisers bisphenols BPA BPA almost impossible common in our food packaging and consumer goods Dr Bridget Maher used as a resin lining of household water supply our drinking water is often contaminated with BPA chemicals exposure in children affect obesity risk rest of their lives measure their chemical load sample short-lived chemicals collect samples urine breast milk house dust child's body study levels of chemical exposure growth rates birth body composition measured babies baby's per cent body fat lean body mass first study short-lived environmental chemicals obesity first six months of life growth rates BMI slow weight gain through diet increase risk of obesity metabolic disease later in life BPA endocrine disrupter interferes with the hormone system could obesogens reshaping our genetic destiny science epigenetics environment changes structure gene function of the gene epigenetics normal human development environmental toxicants things go wrong losing weight slow and steady diet fast-track diet fat lose low-energy diet famine reaction making her want to eat more fast weight loss famine reaction appetite eating crash diets which diet is best study clinical trial participants famine reaction hunger famine reaction lap-band operation weight changed lap-band lap-band medical reasons obesity weight healthy healthy diet more exercise better for everyone losing weight why am I still fat Why am I NOT fat new science improve public health efforts tackle obesity getting fat being lazy lacking willpower the full picture powerful biological and environmental reasons why we put weight on regain manage to lose health 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Actually, there are a lot of them, including our own Sun!
Thanks to Peter for this item. / star stars astronomer astronomy black body radiator black body radiation spectrum spectra planet brown dwarf black hole visible light radio waves infrared infra-red infra red ultraviolet ultra-violet ultra violet Xrays X-rays X rays peak black hole light black body curve emission spectra spectrum peak peaks temperature higher energy light shorter wavelength gamma rays visible light shine human eye sensitive sensitivity cells retina rods cones color colour red blue green see primary colours Doctor Michelle Thaller Dr. Michelle Thaller Ask an Astronomer Spitzer Space Telescope NASA /
