Ford Develping Laser Ignition System, What's Next AI?

Ford Motor Co. and researchers at the University of Liverpool are developing a car ignition system that swaps spark plugs for a laser beam to start vehicles while generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

The team has just received nearly £200,000 (US$320,000) in grants to test the technology from the Carbon Trust, a government funded entity charged with helping businesses in the transition to a low carbon economy. The award is part of the Carbon Trust’s Applied Research grant that supports the development of low carbon technologies.

Ford reportedly plans to install the laser ignitions in a select range of vehicles in the next few years before expanding the laser ignitions on a larger scale. 

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Joe_Limon - 7/15/2009 2:52:47 PM

+2 Boost

This is an awesome idea! Rather then having a point flame path source as is the case with all current engines (except hcci) This could create a line flame path source... this would significantly increase the total burn time seen in the cylinder which helps increase the engines efficiency and reduce emissions! It has me excited :)

Obliv - 7/15/2009 2:55:35 PM

+1 Boost

This is pretty awesome stuff.

Of course, if it was BMW doing this people would be like "omgz, BMW is teh teknology leader!!"

Dunno about anyone else, but driving a lazer injected car just sounds sweet.

Joe_Limon - 7/15/2009 4:40:11 PM

+1 Boost

ignited*

veyron1001 - 7/15/2009 6:19:22 PM

+1 Boost

Yea like the typical ford owner can afford to shell out cash for laser plugs. For a BMW own it is not a big deal.

achiles - 7/15/2009 5:01:39 PM

+1 Boost

It would be funny if ford brings back the laser model with this on it.

bfghemicuda - 7/16/2009 11:57:31 AM

+1 Boost

The laser was a Chrysler. Just a correction, no big deal.

Type707 - 7/15/2009 5:26:40 PM

+1 Boost

Whats next??? iROBOT for the drunk heads to be their designated drivers.

sector - 7/15/2009 5:41:26 PM

+1 Boost

Hope they don't take an eye out :)

Joe_Limon - 7/16/2009 1:28:12 AM

+1 Boost

lol, laser's have been around for quite a while now, and since spark plugs deliver between 40,000 and 100,000 volts, I think a laser spark of that magnitude would be easy, and repeatable. The biggest hurdle I see, is how to keep the lens clean.

tango - 7/16/2009 2:17:58 AM

+1 Boost

@Joe_Limon: That's the first question that popped into my head. How on earth are they going to prevent carbon and varnish from building up in the lens? And what type of material would they use that can withstand the heat and pressure of the combustion chamber, while still being flexible enough to handle the vibrations inherently involved with automotive environments. Interesting times ahead. It's amazing the level of ingenuity US$4 caused...heck...I'm all for it jumping back up there again just to cement home the need to invent invent, invent!

bfghemicuda - 7/16/2009 12:02:16 PM

+1 Boost

Would be interesting to include a fiber optic idea to each cylinder that is fed by a single laser.