http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf_-IMgla34

It seems for real.

more likely that big oil buys up the patents and then sits on the technology

Recipient requirements

Small businesses and non-profit organizations can retain the title in a federally funded "subject invention." In exchange, the organization is required to

* Report each disclosed invention to the funding agency
* Elect to retain title in writing within a statutorily prescribed timeframe
* File for patent protection
* Grant the federal government a non-exclusive, non-transferable, irrevocable, paid-up license to practice or have practiced on its behalf throughout the world
* Actively promote and attempt to commercialize the invention
* Not assign the rights to the technology, with a few exceptions
* Share royalties with the inventor
* Use any remaining income for education and research
* Give preference to U.S. industry and small business

This is the first practical engine using the "detonation" cycle. Engineers have long known that if they could used the shock wave from engine detonation as the power pulse, the efficiency would increase dramatically due to the extreme change in pressure.

The problem with all the piston engine attempts is that the detonations quickly tore the engine apart from extreme heat, extreme pressure, and extreme shock. These aspects are much easier to deal with on a rotary engine and so this is what we end up with.

100 mpg, here we come!!!

What's the horsepower/torque ratio? There are many other factors to consider other than just fuel efficiency. Unless you can get the gearheads on board it'll be dead in it's tracks.

Picture is worth a thousand words, very helpful illustration. It also makes sense why this would not be nearly as wasteful. When a piston reaches the end it wastes all of the additional force generated where as this keep on spinning and any additional force is used to help spin faster generating more power. (help me out if I misunderstand)

Very cool!

That sounds neat for a hybrid car, but it also sounds great for a boat. Electric motors are great in boats, the problem has always been keeping the batteries charged. Now if only EEStor would actually produce an Ultra capacitor...

they are around!
Low-Voltage/High Price!
But making pretty good strides to be used in everyday-Devices and also in conjunction with Fuelcells and in Hybrid-Cars!

From my understanding, some of the energy from traditional engine is lost as waste heat. More of the energy is lost to the transmission. Electric cars don't have a transmission, because each wheel has it's own motor. If this would allow you to recharge your batteries as you drive and the rate of recharge could match the rate of use (doubtful), then you would really have something. Regardless, it sounds like a huge step forward. Now we just need something that can more efficiently store energy than Lithium batteries.

I'm talking about the EEStor capacitor, which is supposed to be cheap to make and have unparallelled capacity. People have been calling it a hoax for years, but the fact that Lockheed-Martin has invested in the company indicates that they might be onto something.

This model is 25 kw. That is about 33.5 hp. The typical car only uses about 15 hp in cruise at 55mph so this motor would charge while driving. Extra hp for acceleration or higher speeds would come from the battery as needed to be recharged as needed.