Researchers at Stanford University’s Advanced Energy Systems Laboratory have made a significant breakthrough in engine technology with the creation of a linear generator that can run on almost any type of fuel. This revolutionary engine has been under development for 14 years and has been designed to operate with multiple fuel sources without losing power. The engine is also low in emissions, requires no lubrication, and has very few moving parts. The linear generator can quickly switch between different types of green fuels, including biogas, ammonia, and hydrogen. It is a game-changer for industries seeking reliable and resilient power systems that are decarbonized.
The engine concept was first developed by Matt Screck, a Stanford student, who sought to transform chemical-bond energy into a more macro-scale, usable form. The earliest concepts used air and fuel in a confined chamber with movable walls that compressed the fuel-air mixture as they travelled in opposite directions, causing the molecules to clash quickly and violently until they broke apart and reformed into other molecules. This method releases energy in chemical bonds without the need for a spark or ignition source.
The team’s initial tests were successful, with the device proving efficient as a fuel cell. Mainspring Energy was established in 2010 to build flameless compression reaction generators capable of generating and running for years at a reasonable cost. The linear generator is a remarkable technological achievement that could have far-reaching implications for a wide range of industries.
Source: Mainspring Energy, IEEE Spectrum