Fuel of the Future Essay -- Energy Oil Crisis Shortage Essays Papers

Fuel of the Future It is obvious that this country has a knack for vast and rapid consumption of oil. Increases in greenhouse gas emissions, global warming threats and surging gas prices are just some of the warning signs. In the last two decades, this country has made great bounds in new, energy efficient technologies that have played a major role in the United States’ energy conservation efforts. â€Å"It’s not about turning off the lights or unplugging the refrigerator. It is a story about better technology. Industry and economics, not virtue or government control, are the driving forces† (Brown, 2007). New technologies in everything from simple household appliances to transportation methods have had a major impact in reducing this country’s rate of energy consumption, and more importantly its need for foreign oil. â€Å"The most important exception to this trend is in transportation. While fuel mileage in cars continues to improve, the fuel efficiency of U. S. automobiles has actually declined since the mid-1990’s. That’s because many drivers have switched from ordinary cars, to light trucks or so-called sport utility vehicles† (Brown, 2007). Vehicles and public transportation methods account for a critical portion of our nations energy tab. One way scientists have countered this problem is the development of alternative fuels, specifically the use of Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Advancements in the research and development of this alternative fuel have proven to be a vital solution to this nation’s increasingly prevalent energy crisis. â€Å"The world’s demand for energy is projected to double by 2050 in response to population growth and the industrialization of developing countries† (Crabtree, 2004). Through its react... ...uwyo.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=27077584&site=ehost-live 3) Crabtree, G, Dresselhaus, M, & Buchanan, M (2004, December). The Hydrogen Economy. Physics Today, 57(12), Retrieved March 16, 2008, from http://search.ebhost.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.ed/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=15210897&site=ehost-live. 4) Hutchinson, H (2007, December). Going for Distance. Mechanical Engineering, Retrieved March 16, 2008, from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=27761367&site=ehost-live 5) Leal, D, Velez, A, Prelas, M, Gosh, T, & Leal-Quiros, E (2006). Hydrogen Storage in Diamond Powder Utilizing Plasma NaF Surface Treatment for Fuel Cell Applications. AIP Conference Proceedings, 875(1), Retrieved March 16, 2008, from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.uwlib.uwyo.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=23421089&site=ehost-live.