TOMORROW'S WORLD | TRANSPORT

Melissa Sterry of Societás™ takes you on a journey into the future of sustainable transport, in the third installment of her series 'Tomorrow's World' for Sustained.

LAND

AERODYNAMISM

The futuristic Ecotricity Greenbird (left) is the most advanced wind-powered vehicle on Earth. A highly-evolved vehicle, fusing a combination of technology found on Aircraft and Formula 1 cars, it achieves speeds up to 126.1 mph with no engine in sight. Driven by British engineer Richard Jenkins, Greenbird smashed the world land speed record for wind-powered vehicles in winds of just 30mph, making Jenkins the fastest naturally powered human on the planet! Whist Greenbird is arguably one of the most aerodynamic vehicles ever built, other examples of the potential of aerodynamism include the über chic and sleek Aptera and Volkswagen's 235 mpg bullet-shaped hybrid, both coming to market in 2010.

http://www.greenbird.co.uk

PEDAL POWER

Former F1 design engineer Richard Thorpe is the man behind the new lightweight electric bicycle GoCycle (left). Innovations include injection-molded, lightweight magnesium alloy that's stronger than plastic, at a fraction of the price of carbon fiber, a chain that is completely encased and side-mounted wheels that allow a flat to be changed in a matter of minutes. Gocycle disassembles into a soft bag or white hard case for portability and easy storage in small apartments. However, for those who want to cycle to work, without the need to build up a sweat, GoCycle's most handy feature is a micro-sized electric motor in its front wheel hub, which switches on with the push of a button.

http://www.gocycle.com

MAGNETIC LEVITATION

Magnetic Levitation 'maglev' engages magnetic forces to lift, propel, and guide a vehicle over a specially designed guideway. Maglev eliminates the need for wheels and many other parts, minimizing mechanical friction and enabling enhanced acceleration and deceleration, with cruising speeds of 300 mph and above. Maglev potentially reaches velocities comparable to turboprop and jet aircraft (550 to 700 km/h) in regular service. Advantages over conventional trains include much lower operational and maintenance costs, energy efficiency and less noise pollution. Japan is planning a 450km maglev line between Tokyo and Osaka. Closer to home, UK Ultraspeed has proposed a maglev line from London to Glasgow with several route options through the Midlands, Northwest and Northeast and a further maglev link between Glasgow Airport and Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport and Edinburgh. If the proposed plan goes ahead the maglev will travel at speeds of 500 km/h, cutting the journey from Glasgow to Edinburgh from 1 hour to 15 minutes.

http://www.500kmh.com

SEA

SOLAR SAILING

Sydney-based company Solar Sailor has signed a deal to fit solar-powered sails the size of jumbo jet's wings to China's biggest shipping line's cargo ships. The 30 metre long aluminum sails, which can be retrofitted to existing tankers, are covered with photovoltaic panels and harness the wind to cut fuel costs by up to 40%. Once fitted, the sails can pay for themselves in fuel savings within 4 years and don't require special training to operate, with a computer linked in to a ship's existing navigation system and sensors automatically angling the sails to catch the wind. Dr Robert Dane, Solar Sailor's CEO believes in the future all ships will use solar sails. Solar Sailor also create leisure vehicles, including yachts (above left).

http://www.solarsailor.com

SOLAR SPEED

Created at Delft Technical University the Czeers MK1 prototype (left) is the world's first solar-powered speedboat. Originally built as an entry in the 2006 Nuon Frisian Solar challenge it attracted investment from Rabobank to build a full-scale prototype. Made from 100% carbon fiber inlaid with leather trim, 14 square meters of photovoltaic cells and an LCD touch-screen control system, it launched in 2007. Traveling at up to 30 knots, the 10-meter long boat has an 80kw electric motor, yet uses no oil, produces no fumes or engine noise and generates all its own power. Easily the sleekest of all solar speedboat concepts yet to market, the Czeers MK1 would not look amiss in a James Bond film.

http://www.tudelft.nl

MARINE- MIMICRY

Research into bio-mimicry and energy-efficient movement processes are helping to create groundbreaking, yet practical applications for use across a broad range of industries, including underwater automation. Like its natural archetype Festo's bionic AquaPenguin (left) has a hydrodynamic body contour and is designed with elegant wing propulsion and head and tail sections that can be moved in all directions. The underwater robotic penguins can manoeuvre in cramped spatial conditions and turn on the spot, but unlike their biological counterparts, they can also swim backwards. Designed as autonomous underwater vehicles that independently navigate themselves, AquaPenguins are supported by a 3D sonar system, which allows communication with their surroundings and with other robotic penguins. In the near future we can expect to see this technology be developed for use in underwater research and exploration.

http://www.festo.com

AI R

SOLAR-FLIGHT

Exploring new concepts in composite structures, intelligent light materials and renewable energy creation and storage, Solar Impulse could be the first plane to fly day and night without fuel. At midday, each m2 of land surface receives the equivalent of 1000 Watts, or 1.3 horsepower of light power. Over 24 hours, this averages out to 250W/m2. With 200m2 of photovoltaic cells and a 12 % total efficiency of the propulsion chain, Solar Impulse's motors achieve 8 HP or 6kW - roughly the amount of power the Wright brothers had available to them when they made their first powered flight in 1903. The Pathfinder Solar-Powered Aircraft explores similar concepts - described as a 'flying wing' its controlled remotely and able to maneuver without rudders, ailerons, tails or other control surfaces typical of conventional aircraft.

http://www.solarimpulse.com

AIRODYNAMICS

Researchers at MIT's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics recently won a $2M contract from NASA to design quieter and more energy efficient commercial airplanes. Led by Professor Edward M. Greitzer, who worked on the combined Cambridge University-MIT Silent Aircraft Initiative, the group is exploring the pros and cons of a flatter, wider bodied, ultra aerodynamic craft designed by Aurora Flight Sciences. Little is currently known about this design beyond a single mock up picture. Research will also explore new materials in aircraft construction, airplanes powered by hydrogen fuel cells, an air-ground hybrid that takes off vertically like a helicopter, but flies like an airplane and can drive short distances on the ground like a car and a do-it-yourself four seater airplane kit. The goal of the NASA project is to develop a silent airplane that sends no carbon into the atmosphere, one of the designs being explored is pictured above left.

http://www.aurora.aero

AIR-OTEL

Planned for launch in 2020, the 700ft x 270ft x 170ft super-airship 'Manned Cloud Hotel' (left) is the vision of French designer Jean-Marie Massaud. Features include 20 bedrooms, a restaurant, library, lounge, bar, gym and spa. Only requiring re-fuelling after 5,000 kilometers, it will be able to remain airborne for roughly 3 days, traveling at a cruising speed of 80mph, with a maximum speed of 105mph. Ferrying up to 40 passengers in the sky for a serene cruise around the world, its terraces with panoramic windows will bring a whole new dimension to sight-seeing. Ideal for those who literally want to travel lightly - slow, ecologically friendly travel will not come much more chic than this.

http://www.massaud.com

By Melissa Sterry, Societás™, April 2009

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