Tesla Roadster Research Articles

Made in Greece: The World’s First Production Electric Mini Comes From Syros [History

Unbeknownst to many people today, electric motors preceded the internal combustion engine (ICE) as the motion generator of choice for the consumer. When we think about the first commercially viable electric vehicle (EV), what often spring to mind are “some slow-moving carriages,” the General Motors EV1 dating to the 1990s, or, to the newer generation, the Tesla Roadster. Today, the EV is seen as the herald of the new age, its road seemingly paved, with all but a few tweaks—mainly in the energy storage department—left to be ironed out. Truly, this generation of conventional cars is expected to be the last; EV charging stations are popping up around the globe heralding their downfall, just as petrol stations did for the EV a century ago. This fact is a reminder that history enjoys its circles. However, it is this historical perspective that is required to make the final stretch and take the zero-emission trophy home and understand how transportation came to be and is to come <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">[1]</xref> .

Americar Dreams (An Introduction)

Even though Baudrillard’s catchy piece of advice as for the most effective method of exploring America’s landscapes (both real and imaginary) comes from his postmodernist travelogue limited to its titular country, it is probably difficult for anyone interested in contemporary car cultures not to extend Baudrillard’s praise of the driving experience and perceive it in cognitive rather than transportation terms, not necessarily bounded by national borders. True, American driving culture and all its related contexts—its remarkable history, its contribution to social mobility, its spectacular cars, its mythologies, the list goes on and on—is not only the oldest one historically, but—given its ties with American life-styles, politics, social stratification and the overall consumerist mindset—also the most extreme one. From Henry Ford’s Model T storming millions of American households at the beginning of the 20th century to Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster shot into space in the second decade of the following one, cars have shaped American horizons, both private and collective, like no other machine. This introductory text presents the concept of the present issue of RIAS as well as the concepts underlying its feature texts.

Scrapheap in the sky [Technology space debris

THE YEAR BEFORE Elon Musk launched his first string of Starlink satellites, he dispatched a midnight cherry Tesla Roadster, ‘driven' by a spacesuit-clad mannequin, on top of his Falcon Heavy rocket. Today, ‘Starman' and his Tesla continue to spin through space at several thousand miles per hour while more than 1,000 Starlink satellites have reached Earth orbit to deliver high-speed satellite internet across the globe. But we have a problem.

Dr. Space Junk vs the Universe: Archaeology and the Future

Dr. Space Junk vs the Universe: Archaeology and the Future

Fuel Conservation for Launch Vehicles: Falcon Heavy Case Study

Space exploration has recently been growing at an increasing pace and has caused a significant burden to the environment, in particular, during the launch of rockets, when a large amount of fuel is burned and the exhaust gases are released in the air. For this case study, we selected the SpaceX Falcon Heavy reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle, which is one of the most promising rockets for the low-cost lifting of heavy payloads into orbit and beyond. We evaluated several strategies for optimisation of fuel consumption and for minimisation of environmental impact during launch through the atmosphere for the case of its first launch on February 6, 2018, when the rocket carried a red Tesla Roadster with a “Starman” in the direction toward Mars. In addition to the flight plan and Newtonian equations of motion, we have taken into account the thermodynamic properties of the rocket engines. Results are similar but slightly different if one minimises the total fuel consumption for the desired flight plan or if one minimises the environmental pollution during the initial stage of the launch through the atmosphere. The same methodology can be extended for launches in other directions including the Earth orbit and the Moon.

Investigation of Autocatalytic Reaction of the Highly Performing Multi-Electron Flow Cell

There has been a renewed interest in flow batteries, particularly those employing highly soluble aqueous multi-electron oxidants, characterized by auto-catalytic accelerated mechanism. This enables, in theory, very high capacity, in the range of 1000 Ah/kg, which is not only ideal for application in the energy storage sector, but also holds promise for the transport industry, where, in contrast to commercially available Li-ion batteries currently used in fully-electric vehicles, it can provide a comparable driving range of 500 km, but in less than half the weight of the battery system under use presently (209 kg compared to 450 kg as used in a Tesla Roadster) [1]. The system under consideration is the bromate solution, where salt of bromate acts as the electrolyte, wherein bromine undergoes reduction at the cathode (carbon electrode), which is produced via comproportionation of bromate forming bromide in the process, resulting in a Br2/Br- redox couple near the electrode vicinity, exchanging 6 electrons per bromate ion present in the solution. There has been some interesting research by Y. V. Tolmachev, highlighting an anomalous nature of the halogen redox couple characterized by the mechanism mentioned above, leading to decrease in limiting current with increase in the diffusion layer thickness, demonstrated by RDE tests [1]. This comprised of the EC’’ mechanism which explained the distinct behavior of the system under varying condition of the dimensionless coordinate, defined as the ratio of diffusion to kinetic layer thickness, categorized into three domains, within each of which a different behavior is seen [2-4]. As the analysis of the system was done primarily on a half cell, within the RDE setup, our objective is to extend the same to a cell-based comprehensive study, with H2 as the fuel in the anode side. The cell-based experimentation on the system was done to primarily demonstrate the feasibility of the new system, which consisted of both polarization tests and discharge tests at the various C rates. Currents as high as almost 1 A/cm2 could be withdrawn from the system as shown in Figure 1, and the utilization were around 95% for various discharge C rates. Subsequently, a modeling aspect was added to the system, primarily to map the anomalous behavior of the system in a full cell setup. The results obtained can help bridge the gap between the RDE model and the cell-based system. Furthermore, this enables us to analyze losses associated with charge transfer, ohmic, and mass transfer, which will provide guideline to decide optimum operating conditions and design parameters of the full cell.

The Random Walk of Cars and Their Collision Probabilities with Planets

On 6 February 2018, SpaceX launched a Tesla Roadster on a Mars-crossing orbit. We perform N-body simulations to determine the fate of the object over the next 15 Myr. The orbital evolution is initially dominated by close encounters with the Earth. While a precise orbit can not be predicted beyond the next several centuries due to these repeated chaotic scatterings, one can reliably predict the long-term outcomes by statistically analyzing a large suite of possible trajectories with slightly perturbed initial conditions. Repeated gravitational scatterings with Earth lead to a random walk. Collisions with the Earth, Venus and the Sun represent primary sinks for the Roadster’s orbital evolution. Collisions with Mercury and Mars, or ejections from the Solar System by Jupiter, are highly unlikely. We calculate a dynamical half-life of the Tesla of approximately 15 Myr, with some 22%, 12% and 12% of Roadster orbit realizations impacting the Earth, Venus, and the Sun within one half-life, respectively. Because the eccentricities and inclinations in our ensemble increase over time due to mean-motion and secular resonances, the impact rates with the terrestrial planets decrease beyond a few million years, whereas the impact rate on the Sun remains roughly constant.

Lithium Has Transformed Vehicle Technology: How trends in Li-ion battery technology have developed for vehicle electrification

While the Prius, powered by nickel metal-hydride (NIMH) batteries, marked the advent of the mass-marketed electrified vehicle, it was the introduction of Lithium (Li)-ion batteries in the Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, and Tesla Roadster that ushered in the next generation and wider-scale commercialization of electrified vehicles. As is well-known, NiMH batteries do not have the specific energy (watt-hour per kilogram) required for plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs).

In-Situ TEM Investigation on Thermal Stability and Oxygen Release Behavior of Charged and Discharged LiCoO2

Since the first discovery of Li ion batteries (LIBs), enormous research has been dedicated to improve their electrochemical performance such as energy density, power density and lifetime. Yet not much research has been focused on the safety issues and thermal stability of these systems. LiCoO2is one of the most widely used cathode materials in LIBs. High energy density and light weight cell has made it a good candidate for first generation electric vehicles (Tesla roadster) and even airplanes (Boeing 787 Dreamliner). However, due to the poor thermal stability, its application has been limited to the consumer electronics now. It is well known that Charged LCO when exposed to higher temperatures, as in a case of a mechanical impact or overcharge, releases a portion of its oxygen. Released oxygen can react with electrolyte exothermically and trigger a hazardous thermal runaway. In order to hinder this process we need to gain more in-depth knowledge about underlying mechanisms of this harmful reaction and phase/structural transitions. In-Situ TEM is known to be a powerful method for studying materials in dynamic conditions such as high temperatures. In this study we utilized transmission electron microscopy to study Li1-xCoO2 (0.5<x<1) in different temperatures. High resolution imaging integrated with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) reveals that cobalt valance changes from 4+ to 3+ at less than 300°C and from 3+ to 2+ at about 450°C showing a two-step oxygen release mechanism in charged LCO Simultaneously, selected area diffraction pattern (SADP) suggests formation of Li vacancy super-lattice and defects such as twins at about 300°C. Going further in temperature results in increase in density of defects and formation of grain boundaries. These findings can be helpful in improving the structural stability of these materials.

Design and Modeling of Trailer Battery Energy Storage for Range Extension of Electric Vehicles

Automotive manufacturers have in the last few years put on the market new models of electric vehicles (EV) such as the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Roadster, demonstrating their awareness to the upcoming fossil/renewable energy transition. While the infrastructure around EVs is yet to be developed completely in most countries, potential buyers are being attracted by the idea of driving a vehicle which could save money by only using electricity as a source of energy. By extension, having a portable modular device in the form of a trailer attached to a vehicle and fitted with extra energy storage would allow current EVs to be used beyond their usual range limits, as well as provide space for carrying extra gear. This paper focuses on the electrical modeling and design of a battery pack tted inside the trailer and a range estimation is calculated over a standardized driving cycle, using the high level programming language, Octave. A lithium based chemistry was chosen for numerical application, real data were used and case studies are presented to illustrate how the internal hardware of the trailer affects its performance. A value of 150 km of extra range was set as a target for the design, from which other trailer characteristics can be derived such as the weight distribution within the trailer and the maximum cornering speed. Overall, this work can be used as a preliminary design tool, able to accommodate different design options using the mathematical model employed.

V2G Parking Lot With PV Rooftop for Capacity Enhancement of a Distribution System

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) units are gaining prominence and may dominate the auto-market in the near future. The V2G batteries require corporate parking lots for charging and discharging operations. The electric power capacity of an existing parking lot can be increased by the installation of photovoltaic (PV) rooftops. This paper describes mathematical models for estimating the electric power capacity of a V2G parking lot (VPL) system with PV canopy. The electric vehicle (EV) demand/supply model was formulated as a queuing theory problem, exhibiting stochastic characteristics. New formulae were developed to address the impacts of battery charger efficiency on the amount of power demand during battery charging, and also how the latter is effected by inverter efficiency during discharging. Mathematical models for grid gain factor were developed. The proposed models were tested using Tesla Roadster EV and Nissan leaf EV. Promising simulation results are gained leading to a conclusion that vehicle parking lots with PV facilities can potentially relieve and enhance the grid capacity. Results show that 60% gain factor is possible. The effect of weather uncertainties and energy market price were studied. The study could be useful in battery-charger control studies.

Plug-ins proliferate

Do you own a plug-in car? Do you even know anybody who does? Probably not. But that might very well change this year. Electric cars aren't new, of course. Mitsubishi's all-electric i-MiEV has been available in several countries since 2010. The US $35 200 Nissan Leaf, another pure electric vehicle, has been selling in Japan and the United States for more than a year. The Chevy Volt is also available in America, as is the Tesla Roadster, a $109 000 toy for the rich. And yet, despite the intense press coverage and feverish anticipation, relatively few of these cars have found their way into garages and driveways. In 2012, however, a big influx of plug-in cars will help these vehicles start shedding their novelty image and in some places may even justify the construction of public charging stations.

Top 10 Tech Cars 2007

This paper presents the return of pure electric cars. Tesla Motors, the Tesla Roadster, is powered by 6831 mass-market lithium-ion batteries and costs about $100,00. The Tesla was engineered by England's Lotus, renowned for its small, light sport cars. As with any pure electric car, the key parameters are the batteries' recharge time, energy density and useful life. Unresolved at the moment is the issue of battery life. Laptop batteries usually don't last the 10 years required of major automotive components

Electric Cars For Enlightened Stars

This paper presents the Tesla roadster, created by a start-up, Tesla Motors. It is powered by lithium-ion batteries. It is a zero-carbon vehicle a new fashion accessory for actors like George Clooney