tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post233916823426563801..comments2024-03-28T23:57:50.103-05:00Comments on Bayou Renaissance Man: A road that generates power?Peterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-54204908092833005962008-12-18T11:21:00.000-06:002008-12-18T11:21:00.000-06:00I was reading a short story last night by Christop...I was reading a short story last night by Christopher Anvil called, "Top Line." In it is a description of a layered highway that generates power to help charge moving electrical-powered automobiles.<BR/><BR/>Seems appropriate in many ways to today. The story is included in an anthology just released by Baen called, "War Games."Crucishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15441911110953212619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-25636607128915063212008-12-18T07:56:00.000-06:002008-12-18T07:56:00.000-06:00I think Popgun you are missing the point of the cr...I think Popgun you are missing the point of the crystals capturing the energy transferred to the road from the cars. It's not creating any energy, only capturing the weight of the cars moving over it, something the cars already have to do.<BR/><BR/>I could see an application of a self heating road or bridge. The crystals could power heating elements enough to keep the lanes clear of ice or snow.Bob S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15882819735831651314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-63685891538783882352008-12-18T06:00:00.000-06:002008-12-18T06:00:00.000-06:00My physics may also be a little rusty, but here go...My physics may also be a little rusty, but here goes:<BR/>The car is already expending that energy. As it rolls across the road surface, it tends to "crush" the asphalt particles. Right now, that energy is "wasted." As long as the tires don't see any difference between the 2 surfaces, it shouldn't cost any more energy to move the car.joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14981428927321701616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-79640458601445849812008-12-18T00:50:00.000-06:002008-12-18T00:50:00.000-06:00Howdy. Am I missing something? The produced ener...Howdy. Am I missing something? The produced energy has to come from somewhere. The piezoelectric crystals have to be squeezed by the weight of the car. Looks to me like the energy produced would be offset by the additional energy required to push the car over the surface. TANSTAAFL, as per Heinlein. However, if my physics is rusty, I'd be interested to know what I missed.<BR/>-PopgunAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com