The MIRA project for 'plug-in' batteries
(News, May 5)for electric cars suggests an interesting scenario.
If it were possible to design a battery that was easily and quickly exchanged and if car makers adopted a common standard (probably a forlorn hope), then we could have a pool of battery units available on a contract rental basis at existing filling stations, allowing an unlimited range for electric cars.
No need for internal combustion engines and hybrid cars. Such an arrangement appeared to work two centuries ago with horses and stage coaches.
Peter Bettridge
Stourport-on-Severn, Worcs
Project to investigate hybrid approach to titanium manufacturing
What is this a hybrid of? Superplastic forming tends to be performed slowly as otherwise the behaviour is the hot creep that typifies hot...