Saab Aero X

Saab Aero X




What a shame that Saab has gone into liquidation, as it means this stunning concept car will never become a reality.
Unusual to see car manufacturers look for alternative fuel sources to power their vehicles. However, this particular concept by Saab would have had an ethanol powered 2.8L twin-turbocharged V6 with 0 to 60mph in 4 seconds. Even cooler, the car has no doors, rather, the entire top canopy section of the car opens up, making it one of the most unique designs out there. Shame, Shame, Shame!

Venturi Fetish - Electric

The Venturi Fetish

Reported as the first 2 seater all electric car to go on sale in 2006, The Venturi Fetish is claimed to have a top speed of 100mph and a 0-60 time of under 4 seconds.

BMW efficientdynamics Concept car

This concept uses a a three-cylinder turbodiesel and two electric motors and the total output is 262 kW/356 hp, maximum torque 800 Newton-metres/590 lb-ft. All-wheel drive featuring an electric motor on both the front and rear axle. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is made in just 4.8 seconds while the top speed achieved is limited at 250 km/h (155 mph). Fuel consumption is impressive: 3.76 litres/100 km (equal to 75.1 mpg imp), CO2 emissions 99 grams/kilometre.


As a plug-in hybrid, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is able to cover the entire fuel consumption drive cycle under electric power alone. Taking the sources of energy used for generating the electric power consumed into account (EU electricity mix), this reduces the CO2 emission rating to just 50 grams per kilometre. Electric power is generated without the slightest increase in fuel consumption through a particularly efficient concept of Brake Energy Regeneration. Energy is stored in 98 lithium polymer cells. The car is able to cover a distance of approximately 50 km/31 miles in the electric mode alone. The impressive performances are also available due to the drag coefficient optimised to just 0.22.

Toyota Prius - Hybrid Petrol/Electric

The Toyota Prius is the established Hybrid running on it's electric motor at low speeds then phasing in a petrol motor for out of town running.

Amazing Toyota Prius Hybrid battery repair secrets Click Here!

The Urbee

There is much about Urbee that is highly innovative. However, the innovation does not lie in expensive 'start-of-the-art' technology, the use of expensive materials, or complicated manufacturing processes. Urbee's innovation is that it uses widely available materials and components in original ways.

The designers of Urbee have attempted to maximize the distance that can be traveled per unit of energy consumed by minimizing seven important properties of the car: weight, coefficient of aerodynamic drag (Cd), rolling resistance (Crr), frontal area, maximum speed, maximum acceleration.

COEFFICIENT OF DRAG

The Coefficient of Drag (called "Cd") for a vehicle is one of three things that affect how much energy is required to overcome aerodynamic resistance. It is a number that describes the 'slipperyness' of a shape as it passes through the air. Urbee is being designed to have a Cd about half that of a traditional sports car.

COEFFICIENT OF ROLLING RESISTANCE

We have attempted to make the coefficient of rolling resistance of Urbee as low possible by using large diameter motorcycle tires inflated to high pressure. As well, the cross sectional profile selected for the tire has a very small contact surface with the road.

FRONTAL AREA

The frontal area of a vehicle is approximately equal to its width multiplied by its height. We decided to make the roof of Urbee as low to the ground as the lowest production car ever made, the Ford GT-40, which was 40 inches above the ground. We also tried to minimize the width by placing the two occupants as close as comfortably possible to each other.

MAXIMUM SPEED AND ACCELERATION

By reducing the maximum speed and acceleration of Urbee compared to what many other cars are capable of, we can dramatically reduce the maximum horsepower required to power our car. The smaller motor/engine size in turn decreases the weight of the vehicle and increases the range.

超酷XDXD

Ford Fusion Hybrid

Name: Ford Fusion Hybrid 
Manufacturer: Ford
Sold in: North America
Engine: 2,500 cc
Fuel efficiency: Average: 41/36 mpg (City/Hway)
Fuel: Regular Unleaded/Electricity

Honda Insight Hybrid Petrol/Electric

Name: Honda Insight (last produced 2006)
Manufacturer: Honda  
Engine: 995 cc
Fuel efficiency: Average: 61-68 mpg. (manual)
Average range: about 700 miles (manual).
Fuel: Regular Unleaded/Electricity

Tesla Roadster

Based on the Lotus Elise the battery powered Tesla Roadster has a  two-speed gearbox and 0-60mph in around 4 seconds and a top speed of around 130mph, the Tesla is the brainchild of Paypal founder Elon Musk

Honda FC - Hydrogen Electric Sports Car

Honda's vision for Hydrogen power - the FC Sport

Paint it black with red pinstriping and imagine Batman stepping out!

Actually it's more likely some paunchy balding middle-age bloke with a fat wallet and a superiority complex, will tumble out, hopefully into the path of an oncoming bus! (Is the bitterness showing through?)

At the 2008 Los Angeles Motor Show, Honda unveiled their take on an alternative energy supercar. The sports-minded FC Sport  is powered by Honda's V-Flow  hydrogen fuel cell stack, already being utilised in the FCX Clarity, coupled with a high-performance electric power-train this striking light-weight Hydrogen muscle-mobile has been packaged to give a very low centre of gravity.

Configured with 3 seats, the driver sits front and centre (a-la Mclaren F1), with the two passengers enjoying an entertaining and clear view to the sides and behind the driver.

With Honda’s racing pedigree, this could prove to give traditional petrol/diesel consuming sport cars a run . Currently a prototype, don’t expect a release for some time.

Yeah....black would probably make your bum look a little less errr......less

MDI Airpod One

MDI Airpod Compressed Air powered

MDI Airpod info

Nissan Leaf - Electric only

Nissan Leaf  Electric Car

The Leaf is 100% electric zero emissions car. The perennial problem with electric cars has always been their range, combined with a long wait for re-charging. Nissan is putting rapid charging stations at all their dealers to help overcome this problem. The rapid chargers will take just 30 minutes to bring the batteries back to 80% of their maximum charge. The home charger (16 amps) will take 8 hours, and the street charger (10amps) 12 hours.  However the Leaf costs £30,000 in the UK, with a £5,000 government incentive bringing the price you pay to £25,000. Nissan claim a range of 109 miles and a top speed of 90mph. 

Aptera 3 wheel solar powered car

The Aptera 3 Wheeler Solar/Electric Powered car

Welcome to The Efficient Car Guide

Your No1 resource for efficient cars

2011 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

消黑光好看~~~

















http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4644/Lamborghini-Aventador-LP700-4.html

阿斯~~~XD

How to become a better paddler

No matter what your passion, there's a point at which you're likely to plateau. That may be OK; perhaps you've become proficient enough to accomplish everything you desire. But for those who are dedicated to continued improvement and have ambitions as coaches, expeditioners or higher-level paddlers, plateaus aren't acceptable. We aren't content to see our skills and knowledge top out. We want to become better paddlers.

Leon practicing rescue maneuvers.

While we were on Orcas Island with Shawna Franklin and Leon Somme, we talked about the path to becoming an expert. It is, to paraphrase them, a function of hard work, deliberate practice, and guidance from a coach who offers constructive, honest feedback.

They shared with us an 2007 article from the Harvard Business Review, "The Making of an Expert" by K. Anders Ericsson, Michael J. Prietula and Edward T. Cokely, which summarizes research supporting the idea that outstanding performance is not so much a function of innate talent as it is a product of methodical, challenging practice and thoughtful, critical coaching.

Shawna challenges herself by surfing a wave while sitting on her deck.

For higher-level coaches like Shawna and Leon, this means finding hard things to work on and seeking out mentors who point out their weaknesses, even when that type of feedback is uncomfortable. The same is true for all of us, no matter what our level. We'd often prefer to keep working on the skills we already have and hear others affirm our accomplishments. But that's not the path to improvement.

While we were at Deception Pass, we saw this approach in action. After allowing us to warm on an eddy line, they suggested we try increasingly challenging moves as we crossed over into the current: edging without bracing, exiting with a cross-deck rudder, returning to the eddy as quickly as possible, rolling and static bracing on the eddy line, and self and assisted rescues in the current and whirlpools. They gave different challenges to each of us, ratcheting up the difficulty as we demonstrated we were ready for more.

Seth exits an eddy with a cross-deck rudder.

According to Ericcson, Prietula and Cokely:

• "Deliberate practice involves two kinds of learning: improving the skills you already have an improving the reach and range of your skills." 
• "Genuine experts not only practice deliberately, but they also think deliberately...they continuously work to eliminate their weaknesses."
• "The development of expertise requires coaches who are capable of giving constructive, even painful feedback. Real experts are extremely motivated students who seek out such feedback."

This is true for becoming a more skillful and knowledgeable paddler as well as becoming a better coach or guide. Improvement is less a matter of innate ability than it is about willingness to work hard, seek challenges, and accept and act on knowledgeable critiques.

Alec and Sharon practicing deliberately.

"Before practice, opportunity, and luck can combine to create expertise, the would-be expert needs to demythologize the achievement of top-level performance because the notion that genius is born, not made, is deeply ingrained." --Ericcson, Prietula and Cokely

聖誕晚會XD

哭哭

最近真的是忙到好靠杯......好想哭QAQ

能抽個時間來放鬆下

真的好開心.....

這天有種回到正常人生活的感覺說

一種好懷念的fu

嗚


大致上就是簡單吃個火鍋

玩個很XD的遊戲....

一個獵人一支槍咻碰阿

輪著喊XD


最酷的是後來交換禮物

這天我真的不知道有要交換禮物跟穿綠紅的衣服說= =

康妹找的卻不提醒下.....

去了才知道

我身上沒半點紅跟綠說~~~~最後是紅內褲過關XD

原本是要代替Ning交換禮物的說~~~~~託小新的福

我可以沒帶禮物交換禮物.......卯死了A0Ay


最後我是換了大牛的禮物~~~~~感覺份量很夠說


用NOVA的袋子XD



結果輪到我打開的時候我一開.........幹XDXDXDXDXD

超傻眼XD

竟然是兩包衛生紙夾著泡菜......乾

當下的心情是~~~~幹幹幹幹!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!被騙了!!!!!!!!!!!!!


不過裡面夾張紙條~~~~



泡菜變成ipod shuffle~~~~cool

還不錯說~~~~忽忽

要好好感謝大牛>///////////<

Hydraulic drive

check valves allow pedaling and free wheeling

Why not choose a hydrostatic transmission for the velomobile?

When I see a drum brake I think: In the same volume a hydromotor fits with about the same mass. With that motor one could drive and brake the velomobile. While braking energy may stored in a nitrogen volume to be used for starting again. A small electric motor could easily be added to the system.

Hydrostatic transmissions are used when high torques, power and control are needed. The efficiency of these drives use to be smaller compared to gears or chains. But the efficiency can be improved a lot. Innas has developed machines with pump efficiencies up to 97%. I think a hydrostatic transmission developed for the velomobile may compete with the derailleur en planetary gear systems.

Imagine two pedal cranks that are swinging about 120º. Each connected to a hydraulic cylinder. Both front wheels of the velomoble are fitted with a small hydro motor. The scheme shows the basic system. Questions left: How to make it a variable transmission? How to realize a rear driving option?

Feeling like the Maiden of Deception Pass

The Maiden of Deception Pass, after her transformation.

There's a Salish legend about the Maiden of Deception Pass, who encounters a handsome (though "damp and chilly") young man who lives in the depths of the ocean. Every time she goes to the shore, he reaches out and holds her hand. Long story short: After many such encounters (and disapproval from her family, which later yields), she agrees to move in with him.

Every time we visit the Pacific Northwest, we feel likewise torn between our roots in the midwest and the many allures of this area. We are tugged by the beauty of the land, the profundity of the ocean, the phenomenal paddling opportunities, and our wonderful friends in the area.

Jeremy on a hike around Mountain Lake in Moran State Park on Orcas Island.

Lunch with Shawna and Leon during a day paddle through the Wasp Islands.

Trees, water, trails....sigh.

Sigh.

Toto, we aren't in Chicago anymore.

10 days until the Canyon

It's Christmas and I have other things on my mind as well.

I've had a fun time getting ready for the trip.  Let's just say I haven't been completely focused on that goal.  I got my list started.  I didn't achieve a very precision attack but I got the basics figured out.  A place to sleep. Some things to drink. Clothes to stay warm. A place to put your poo, and trash, but food for 12 days that wouldn't bore me to tears or stop me up so I couldn't poo proved the hardest to figure out.  Well, I guess dealing with the (unspeakable) opposite problem from being stopped up might be the most difficult situation I have ever dealt with on a long paddling trip.  But that isn't the point of this article.  The point here is food.  Sorry, I got distracted by reminiscing about Nepal. I never plan food 12 days ahead, so to say that I procrastinated the food buy would represent a serious understatement.

Enough food for 12 days, plus some extra.  Add in all the camping gear and you have a ton of stuff.

I had a few backpacker meals sitting around so I threw those in the pile.  I had tried a Bear Creek insta meal from the grocery store and it turned out pretty good, but I know it's going to bore me to tears if I eat all that just the way it is so I added in a bunch of ingredients, some veggies, and extra pasta, some spices, and other stuff.  I tried out a different style of cooking.  The directions on the bag  said to cook for 15-20 minutes but what I did was bring it to a boil and cook for 5 minutes and then set it aside for 20 minutes.  It turned out well-cooked and it will use a lot less fuel.  The bags make a gallon of soup so I am going to use most of it for dinners and then put the rest in a thermos, heat it in the morning, and have it with lunch the next day.  We'll see if that actually works.

I tried out the food... not bad with some supplementing of ingredients.

I also tried out my new sleeping bag on a cold night to see if it might stand up to the cold temps of the Canyon in January.  I froze my ass off.  I think I am going to have to wear more clothes to bed.

Tried my new sleeping bag on a cold evening. Let's just say that other than big Agnes, I didn't have much on.  

I got it all into my dry bags.

The night before all my gear had to depart for the Canyon I hadn't started.  I hadn't even tried to put anything in the bags.  Fortunately it did fit.  It took until 2 in the morning but it did fit.  Now, I just hope it will all fit in the boat at the put in.  Lee's Ferry: here I come.  I will post a bunch of stories from our exploits in the Canyon.

Now the real trick: I have to get it all in my boat.

I hope everyone has great holidays.
Let's start 2012 in style.
12 days on the Canyon will be a good way to do it.
Cheers
Shane

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The time has come for us to finish up for the holidays, enjoy time with our families and celebrate the season.  Any customers on subscription should expect to see a little present of SolidWorks 2012 on their desk in the New Year.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hogmanay!

The SolidWorks Snowman by Alec Chaddock

The state of UK BIM

Following this years successful Autodesk UK BIM conference, Construction News In association with Autodesk  published this article. Certainly worth a read!!

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1v25l/ConstructionNewsBIMS/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffree.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F452049%2FConstruction-News-BIM-Supp-Dec-2011

Training News

At TMS CADCentre, we are committed to continuous improvement of our customer support and training on all SolidWorks products.  To make it easier for you to choose the training class required, we've redesigned our training page and increased our events.

Our updated training page gives you the freedom to search for a class that suits you and check the status (full or open) before you register on-line.

Since 2005, we have conducted nearly 300 classes in various locations throughout Scotland.  The classes range from Essentials to Flow Simulation.  Whether you're an advanced user or new to SolidWorks, we have an education program to suit you.

Try out the new page by clicking on the picture below

Back at Body Boat Blade, Part 1: Deception Pass

We're back at Body Boat Blade, on Orcas Island, Wash. with our friends Shawna Franklin and Leon Somme. Shawna and Leon recently released a new Sea Kayak Rescues DVD, filmed by Bryan Smith, a dramatic and instructive guide to assisted- and self-rescues in flat, dynamic and rough water. Some of the filming was done in Deception Pass, a place we've long heard about and were looked forward to visiting. 

The Orcas Island ferry dock before dawn.

Getting there meant catching the 6:45 a.m. ferry so that we could arrive during slack tide. The day's max ebb was going to be 7.1 knots at 1:08 p.m., and we wanted to have time to play in the building current before experiencing the full force of the ebb. 

Shawna and Seth paddling toward the bridge.

Compared to Chicago, the air and water were warm--both in the mid- to upper 40s. We paddled past cliffs and barnacle-covered rocks, noticing how the bull kelp indicated the direction of the current. We stopped in an eddy near the bridge, where the eddyline was growing stronger by the moment. 

The group arrives in the eddy.

We spent the better part of the day here, practicing eddy turns and ferries as well as rescues in the current. As the current built, so did whirlpools and overfalls downstream. We tried to ride the upstream tails of the whirlpools to reattain lost ground, and sometimes just rode them around in circles. 

Shawna spins on the eddyline.

Seth uses a crossbow rudder to turn as he reaches the green water.

Sharon rides the wave at the top of the eddy.

Leon executes the "deep diggity dig."

Alec rides a wave.

We spent most of the day in this one spot. As the current diminished, the features changed. Eventually it was time to return to our cars, load up and head for Anacortes, the town with the ferry dock and plenty of pubs. 

Back at the beach at the end of the day.

There's a quote from Isak Dinesen in the Body Boat Blade shop: "The cure for everything is salt water...sweat, tears, or the sea." As we traveled back to Orcas in the dark, we felt cured indeed.