EngineAir, of Melborne, Australia has invented a 13kg rotary air motor that will replace traditional combustion engines. Unlike the ZPM approach of using a standard piston/cylinder setup, this is a departure from traditional automotive engine design (Mazda’s combustion rotary engine has been around for awhile, but it’s far from mainstream.) This breakthrough was made by Angelo Di Pietro in 1997.

Unlike other companies, EngineAir doesn’t seem to have secured significant funding and thus has not published a production schedule for vehicles using their technology. However, if compressed air is going to be viable as a fuel, it seems to us that an approach like EngineAir’s design is more likely to be the longer-term solution than simply repurposing the cylinder/piston design.

Over at /dev/null/kevin there is a brilliant post on the seven most annoying SciFi kids…I won’t spoil the surprise, but all the kids you love to hate are represented, with a rationale for the position, and short clips of their “work.” Well worth a visit and a chuckle if you’re a fan of the genre.

In related sad news, Arthur C. Clarke is dead at age 90. The Laughing Squid entry on his passing is the best I’ve seen this far.

This morning there are two important stories about our Constitutional Rights. The first comes from the Supreme Court where arguments are being heard about the 2nd Amendment, the Right to Bear Arms. The second comes from San Francisco regarding the transit of the Olympic Torch and the establishment of “free speech zones.”

Let’s start with the Torch first. The issue at hand is China’s treatment of Tibet and the likely protest that will be spawned in San Francisco as the Torch headed for the Beijing Olympics travels through the city. Let’s be plain, San Francisco residents will protest ANYTHING at the drop of a hat, it’s part of the city’s charm. Regardless of where you stand on this particular issue, to me, the abhorrent aspect of this story is that Mayor Newsome is granting interviews talking about “free speech zones” which will “protect” us from international incident and still allow free expression.

Well Mr. Newsome, this may come as a surprise to you and the Homeland Security Administration, but this is America and America is a “free speech zone.” The notion of “free speech zones” is preposterous. Aside from a small buffer to separate protesters from the protested, there should be no limitation on free speech. Where’s the outrage around this arbitrary and wrong-minded approach?

On the Second Amendment. The passage in question says A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. It’s an awkward passage to be sure. But it was written by a bunch of people who just managed an armed insurrection to win their freedom. When taken in that context, there is no question of the intent of the founders for people to be armed. It’s odd this is even being discussed – it’s crystal clear. Now, there is a question about the march of technology and this passage with respect to what constitutes arms.

Arms are not defined, I’m not crazy about individuals walking around with nukes. The items that would fall into this category, guns and knives, should be available to any citizen in good standing (i.e., not a felon convicted of violent crime.) The thought of armed insurrection to recover our government has passed through my mind in fantasy from time to time during the last 7 years of King George’s reign. Provided an orderly transition of power to the next administration transpires, we probably won’t have to travel that route (this is tongue and cheek in case there is any confusion about what I mean.)

Know your Rights and when people are doing stupid things with them (like the Orwellian named PATRIOT Act) – say something about it at a minimum and even better, do something about it. I think I might make a trip to San Francisco protesting the “free speech zones” as an example.

Well Mr. Newsome and Department of Homeland Security, here’s a reminder of the only legal free speech zone in the US…

Zero Pollution Motors is designing a set of air powered cars for release in the US. That’s right, these vehicles use compressed air (and at speeds over 35mph, small amounts of fuel mixed with compressed air) to power a 6 seat vehicle over 800 miles on 8 gallons of fuel plus the compressed air. The air is stored in on-board carbon fiber tanks that have the tendency to rip rather than explode on impact. This is important as the pressure being held in each vessel is in excess of 300 bar. Wow. That’s going to be tough to handle!

ZPM has been garnering a bunch of press lately on the heels of their recent announcement with Tata Motors of India. An interesting concept to be sure.

Photo Credit: Unknown

Given that President Bush says “we’re not in a recession” and he’s wrong every time he opens his mouth, it makes me wonder if we’re in a depression. The basic facts of the situation are:

• Real Gross Domestic Product has stayed stable at $11T (2000 USD) Source: Data 360.org
• The US imports more than it exports – $58.2B for January, 2008 Source: American Economy Alert
• The US carries 80% of its real GDP on an annual basis in debt. The National Debt is now $9.4T. Source: Brillig.com
• The US Dollar’s value has declined 40% against the Euro from January, 2001 to March, 2008. Source: x-rates.com

According to about.com, the definition of a depression is any economic downturn where real GDP declines by more than 10 percent. Given this definition, we’re not in a depression. However, when the import/export, debt, and declining dollar are factored into flat growth, I think we’re in real trouble. We may not be seeing a return to the soup line – yet – but if we don’t get our financial house in order quickly that’s where we’re going to end up.

How do we get well? Start by spending less than we earn by at least 10%, and preferrably 25%. Invest the surplus in reducing debt levels. Exit foreign entanglements and financial commitments. Rebuild the infrastructure of the country with a special emphasis on energy independence. Easy to say, hard to do. Let’s hope our next political leaders have the will and stomach to get this stuff done.