How long would it take someone to eat ninety-four Mc Donald's Cheeseburgers? That is thirty one thousand calories and a little over fifteen and half days worth of food--in other words, one gallon of aliphatic hydrocarbon, more commonly known as gasoline. Around the world millions upon millions of gallons of gasoline are burned each and every day. At first glance, this seems like an efficient energy source, but upon closer consideration, it becomes obvious that the cost "pollution--dramatically overshadows the benefits. The outdated technology of the internal combustion engine, the apparatus used to convert this "magic liquid- into energy, is the sole culprit responsible for gasoline's detrimental effects. .
Initially introduced in 1885 by Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz, the internal combustion engine works by a controlled explosion of fuel. The process involves a certain amount of vaporized fuel compressed into a cylinder and then ignited, causing the energy to be directed accordingly. .
Still far from perfect, the process of controlled explosion produces various harmful emissions "most notably Hydrocarbons, Carbon monoxide, and Nitrogen Oxides. Hydrocarbons, which are toxic and carcinogenic, escape into the air during refueling and running a car engine and cause eye irritation, congestion, wheezing, shortness of breath, permanent lung damage, and acid rain. They also react with Nitrogen Oxides in sunlight to form ground level ozone. A colorless, odorless, gas, Carbon Monoxide reduces the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream and hinders mental functions and visual perception. This gas is typically produced in colder temperatures. Nitrogen Oxides are associated with water problems, acid rain, and low ozone formation.
For over 100 years, the internal combustion engine has played a key role in the development of civilization. Because mankind realizes technology causes detrimental effects on both the length of his life and the life of the planet, scientists are attempting to reduce emissions from the I.
