United States. Engineers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, known as the NLP, in Richland, Washington, are conducting research that could lead to electric cars becoming more affordable — not necessarily to buy, but to operate.
The researchers want to create a new five-pound molecular heat pump, the size of a 2-liter bottle, that would take care of heating and cooling systems, and that would allow cars to travel long distances before having to connect again.
The scientists explain that instead of using a conventional heat pump to control heating and air conditioning, cars can be heated and cooled with a new class of nanomaterials – or an "organic metal electrical system" – that responds to the electricity applied to get the job done. And new heat pumps would be much lighter, more compact and more efficient.
"The vehicle is going to be more attractive as it will be able to travel long distances on the same load that you are putting in the evening until morning. So it's going to make it more commercial, attractive, and consume less energy," said Pete McGrail of Pasco, a peer lab at NLP.
