Car engines could soon be fired by lasers instead of spark plugs, researchers say.
A team at the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics will report on 1 May that they have designed lasers that could ignite the fuel/air mixture in combustion engines.
The approach would increase efficiency of engines, and reduce their pollution, by igniting more of the mixture.
The team is in discussions with a spark plug manufacturer.
The idea of replacing spark plugs - a technology that has changed little since their invention 150 years ago - with lasers is not a new one.
Spark plugs only ignite the fuel mixture near the spark gap, reducing the combustion efficiency, and the metal that makes them up is slowly eroded as they age.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13160950
   

Wow!! now that would be nice.   ;D

Quote from: walkstall on April 23, 2011, 08:17:45 PM
Wow!! now that would be nice.   ;D

I have no doubt this could really improve mileage and reduce exhaust due to more efficient burning.
Now if they can do something for glow plugs. :D

Quote from: Solar on April 23, 2011, 08:25:27 PM
I have no doubt this could really improve mileage and reduce exhaust due to more efficient burning.
Now if they can do something for glow plugs. :D

It's only a matter of time, I would think. 

Good idea!