Car Of The Future: Made Of Cannabis Hemp, Fueled By Coffee

[AKenewell]

Researchers at the University of Jordan believe that used coffee grounds -- typically containing about 10 percent oil -- could be a source of biodiesel automobile fuel in the future. And more researchers, these at Warwick University in the U.K., believe hemp fiber could replace the carbon fiber in auto bodywork.

 

They University of Jordan team, headed by Zayed Al-Hamamre, argues that we could get around 1,000 metric tonnes (one metric tonne = 1,000 kilograms) of biodiesel from coffee grounds each year. The scientists point out we could do this without using up more of the world's ever-shrinking areas with arable land, reports Corinne Burns of The Guardian.

 

The team is currently working on the best way to extra and process the oils in coffee grounds, and their latest results were published in a recent issue of the industry journal, Fuel.

 

Meanwhile, scientists -- including the Warwick University team, headed by James Meredith -- are looking for natural replacements for the carbon fibers currently used in autos, since they are so energy-intensive to make.

 

Earlier this year, Meredith's team reported that hemp composite materials performed as well as expensive carbon fiber composites in impact tests.

 

Hemp cars aren't just a theoretical endeavor, either. Motive Industries Inc, a Canadian firm, has already created a prototype electric car built from hemp composites. They call it the Kestrel, and its designers are looking for manufacturers to get the vehicle into production.

 

But those folks weren't the first to construct a hemp car, either.

 

Automotive pioneer Henry Ford recognized the usefulness of the cannabis hemp plant, and ordered a car constructed out resin-stiffened hemp fiber. He even ran the vehicle on ethanol made from hemp biomass, reports Mr Lunk's Hideout.

 

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[AmishRnot4ganja]

AAIEEEEAHHHH! Stop with all the positive news about cannabis already! Geesh! People are going to start believing that the positive uses for cannabis far outweigh any perceived negative consequences of its use. Then what, huh? Cannabis everywhere! Drug and chemical companies going out of business, money used for cannabis prohibition enforcement used for road repair, prison population reduced by 50%, and a total collapse of society! All because people just couldn't shut up about some stupid plant. I hope you're happy.

 

I of course am kidding. Thank you AKenewell for posting all the positive news about cannabis. I really enjoy reading it.

[AKenewell]

AAIEEEEAHHHH! Stop with all the positive news about cannabis already! Geesh! People are going to start believing that the positive uses for cannabis far outweigh any perceived negative consequences of its use. Then what, huh? Cannabis everywhere! Drug and chemical companies going out of business, money used for cannabis prohibition enforcement used for road repair, prison population reduced by 50%, and a total collapse of society! All because people just couldn't shut up about some stupid plant. I hope you're happy.

 

I of course am kidding. Thank you AKenewell for posting all the positive news about cannabis. I really enjoy reading it.

 

 

Thanks. Like the end of the world stuff from Ghostbusters, there are people out there who would have you believe the hysteria about marijuana. Next thing you know, it'll be popping up from ditches on the side of the road!

[LongHairBri]

didn't henry ford come up with this?? 1938 popular mechanics article if I remember right?

 

love how history repeats itself.

[Kevin]

Right on Bri. Henry Ford built a hemp car in the 30s and it ran on hemp fuel. YouTube has the vid. A guy even beating the body panels of the hemp car and no dents.