Is Russian designer’s vision the future of motoring technology?
Scientists will tell you that nuclear fusion is the only reliable and sustainable way to meet the world’s energy demands without using fossil fuels.
Nuclear fusion is the process by which atomic nuclei are fused together to create the energy that powers all stars in the universe. Although it requires very little fuel, it produces a lot of energy. It would only take a few small fusion power plants to produce enough energy to supply the entire planet without any harmful emissions if the process could be controlled.
Could fusion be used to power a car? This is what Grigory Gorin, a Russian car designer, imagines.
It’s the Audi MesarthimF-Tron Quattro. Mesarthim is a star system within the Aries constellation. It’s also extremely complex.
The car’s middle is home to a fusion reactor and associated plasma injectors. They are surrounded by equipment that generates steam using heat from the reactor. The turbine is connected to a generator. The generator charges the battery packs located along the front and sides of the car. These batteries then power the electric motors mounted on the wheels. Condensers allow for the reuse of steam, and flywheels aid in acceleration.
Equally advanced is the monocoque chassis, called ‘Solid Cage’. It is 3D printed from lightweight metal alloy and supported by polymers. Maintenance is impossible because the powertrain is tightly packed within the chassis. This problem can be solved by making the chassis sections removable. You can either reattach the section or print another one.
An MHDS (Magnetic Hydro-Dynamic System) is the chassis control system. The MHDS uses a flat-bottomed tank that is mounted under the car and filled with a magnetic fluid. This reacts to magnetic roads. In effect, the fluid attracts to create downforce. To counter roll and pitch during cornering, fluid can be moved around the chassis.
The F-Tron is a very cool looking car, a little Batmobile-ish.
It is unlikely that fusion reactors will ever be used in cars due to the complexity and high cost of their construction and operation. However, it is possible that small-scale reactors such as this can be used to power commercial vehicles or boats or planes.