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We’re not 100% sure of the “world’s smallest” claim, but the engine above sure is small. And it works just like its bigger sibling, internally combusting its fuel, albeit with a paltry 45cc displacement. Yes, 45cc. Despite the small size, there’s a good amount of tech in there.
Scratch built 45cc V8 with Megasquirt MS2 fuel injection.made in the shed with an old manual Bridgeport mill and a 95 year old lathe. Single fuel injector made from Punto injector internals. Pressurised oil system, drilled crank, alloy block, cast iron wet liners, vernier cam pulleys, Walbro fuel pump, tungsten alloy flywheel, bead blasted and anodised finish, throttle pos sensor on butterfly shaft, 24tooth trigger wheel for megasquirt.
Uh huh… we understand some of those words. And we fully understand that this is a one of a kind engine that might be up for purchase, direct from the man who made it. We’ll post links to his website where you might be able to reach him to inquire, if this really tickles your fancy.
[ DIY Engine Project Page ] VIA [ DamnGeeky ]
Now this is one roarin’ motorcycle!
The Red Baron is a souped up bike that had its engine pulled out and replaced with a Rotec Radial R3600, which is a 150-horsepower, nine-cylinder engine. This type of engine was most commonly used as a replacement engine during the World War I-era airplanes. The bike is Frank Ohle’s baby, who spent 18 months turning it from concept into reality.
The Red Baron makes a lot of noise down the road and looks impressive with its huge and all-too-powerful engine. You can see it in action in the video above.
VIA [ C|NET ]
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Bus-sized satellites require massive engines for even the slightest movements, but as far smaller structures become a possibility, a tiny driving mechanism can offer usable thrust. To serve this next-gen tech, MIT saw a need to develop "microthrusters," which are each the size of a penny and can be mounted to tiny cubed satellites. With thruster components measuring a few microns each, the magnetic levitation system is able to accommodate 500 microscopic tips that emit ion beams in a very small package, serving to push two-pound structures through space. The tiny devices have not made their way into orbit yet, but they have been tested in a vacuum chamber. Because of their size, it's possible to add several to each satellite, then enabling sophisticated movements for more precise turns.
There are currently two dozen "CubeSats" in orbit, each measuring only slightly larger than a Rubik's cube, but without any thrusters to power them, positioning can't be adjusted once they're released. Because of their current location, CubeSats eventually burn up in the atmosphere, but once they're released farther from Earth, they won't be able to enter the atmosphere on their own, remaining in orbit as "space junk" even after completing their missions -- micro thrusters could also serve to move these satellites closer to the planet so they can burn up during re-entry. There's no word on when, or even if, MIT's invention will make its way to the launchpad, but you can take a closer look in the demo video after the break.
Continue reading MIT 'microthrusters' are the size of a penny, could reposition tiny satellites
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MIT 'microthrusters' are the size of a penny, could reposition tiny satellites originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 09:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Just because you’re driving an economy car or a (*gasp*) mini-van doesn’t mean you can’t make your vehicle sound like a souped up race car. Just plug the SoundRacer Street Racing Engine Simulator into your cigarette lighter and it automatically detects the RPMs of your car (by detecting voltage increases) and plays the appropriate sounds to make your car sound like powerful sports car. When you accelerate, decelerate, shift, rev the engine, whatever- it all makes the sounds change. Turn that Kia into a throaty V8 Shelby Mustang (soundwise anyway).
Make your Car Sound Fast with a SoundRacer Street Racing Engine Simulator