FEB 15

If you have an idea on how to make motor vehicles greener, and you’re looking for funding for your research, you may be in luck. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing a funding opportunity for new research projects that will make motor vehicles have less of a negative impact on the environment and an improved fuel efficiency. The Department will invest over $50 million in these new research projects. In addition, the US Army plans to contribute $3.5 million where joint development opportunities arise, as part of the Advanced Vehicle Power Technology Alliance with the Energy Department.

While the solicitation for these new projects is currently in draft form, the DOE seeks public comment on the draft before beginning to accept applications for groundbreaking new motor vehicle technologies. Members of the public may review the draft of the solicitation on vehicle performance and fuel economy and offer thoughts on how to improve the solicitation before the final version is released. As the draft currently stands, project proposals can focus on any of five areas in which motor vehicles can become more energy efficient: advanced lightweighting and propulsion materials, advanced battery development, power electronics, advanced HVAC systems, and fuels and lubricants.

The DOE will accept comments on the draft until Friday February, 15. Those interested in commenting can find more information here, and comments on the Funding Opportunity Announcement may be submitted to the Energy Department at their designated email address. Inventors should wait until the final draft is published as an amendment to the current draft before submitting their research proposals.

image: CC BY 2.0 by Kevin Krejci

via: US Department of Energy

Comments (5)

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written by Penn State EcoCAR 2, February 18, 2013

Our team, PSU EcoCAR 2, really likes this article. It is amazing the the DOE wants to support creating more green technologies for our environment. With the DOE being a key founder in our program, it really does show that they are constantly implementing ideas that will help our environment, just as they do with supporting our competition. I think the areas in which the draft will focus on are areas of great concern, and even areas that have the chance for expanding on. We also think it is great that they are seeking public comments before starting the research. It allows for normal citizens to make an impact as well and know what exactly the DOE is doing to help improve our environment!!

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written by Mark Bachelder, February 19, 2013

It is hard to take the DOE seriously in this offer. knowing what I know about inventions that have come and gone - bought up and buried by the oil companies, or savagely suppressed (mafia type killings?) in decades passed. Or National Security letters from the DOE demanding a cease and desist with a gag order on inventors. And further - 5000 energy related patents "classified" as national security issues, again with cease and desist orders on the inventors. Any patent with a significant energy efficiency is required to be reviewed by the DOD, and if determined that this is possibly a boon to the military advantage - essentially seized from the inventor - in the name of national security. Be careful following this DOE and patent route, folks. At the very least, start patent processes internationally before starting in US. Keeps your IP safer.

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Fully Electric Self Sufficient
written by Hunter, March 11, 2013

Ok I thought of this about five years ago, but have neither the money or the know how to buld such a vehicle, but here is my idea. Take an electric car and inside the axles housing put a magnet moving though a coiled copper wire. Also, a seperate device attached to the axle would do the same thing. You could even add gears and a computer system so that when moving at slow speeds the process is accelerated, but when moving faster it's not. The concept of my idea come from a shake light. Anyone else with better knowledge know if this would be possible, and if it could generate enough charge to keep an electric cars batteries charged? If someone could e-mail me back at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it about the topic I'd much appreciate it.

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Incentive
written by Craig Tealy, April 04, 2013

That's a big incentive to pursue more eco-friendly technology, something the auto industry seemed to leave behind for quite a long time. Even today, companies like Tesla are practically insulted just for trying. Once vehicles can be weaned off fossil fuels and onto straight electricity, then comes the issue of revolutionizing where that electricity comes from. Small incremental progress with gas mileage is NOT the future of the industry, but rather a temporary improvement.

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written by mini cooper repair huntington beach, April 13, 2013

Energy efficiency is a nice concept as far as the vehicle is concerned. Energy or fuel efficient vehicles are always preferred by the public. The auto industries now thinking a lot and trying to make something out of the box is going be a big boost to the automobile sectors.

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