Is a Water powered automobile too good to be true? Well, not according to Japanese company Genepax. They claim to have built a car that runs on water and air alone.

The system can generate power just by supplying water and air to the fuel and air electrodes, respectively, the company said at the press conference, which took place June 12, 2008, at the Osaka Assembly Hall.

The basic power generation mechanism of the new system is similar to that of a normal fuel cell, which uses hydrogen as a fuel. According to Genepax, the main feature of the new system is that it uses the company’s membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which contains a material capable of breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen through a chemical reaction.

Though the company did not reveal the details, it “succeeded in adopting a well-known process to produce hydrogen from water to the MEA,” said Hirasawa Kiyoshi, the company’s president. This process is allegedly similar to the mechanism that produces hydrogen by a reaction of metal hydride and water. But compared with the existing method, the new process is expected to produce hydrogen from water for longer time, the company said.

With the new process, the cell needs only water and air, eliminating the need for a hydrogen reformer and high-pressure hydrogen tank. Moreover, the MEA requires no special catalysts, and the required amount of rare metals such as platinum is almost the same as that of existing systems, Genepax said.

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You know those thick concrete poles they put up in front of the doors to shopping centers to keep trucks from doing a smash and grab job by driving through the doors? Wussy! That’s right, those things don’t hold a candle to the ultimate traffic bollards that have now been developed which are essentially giant steel poles!

The video below demonstrates what would happen to a large truck filled with… well, anything you didn’t want to get through if it attempted to actually barrel it’s way on through one of the moveable barricades. It is absolutely devastating. Check it out…
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Damn I love motorcycles. I kid you not. I wish I lived somewhere that I could ride one all day every day. Like Hawaii or Southern California. And if I’m going to ride, I want the comfort of a touring bike, but also the performance of a sport bike.

Since I’m not alone, manufacturers have created the Sport Touring category. And the three finest bikes available (in my opinion) are the BMW R1200RT, the Triumph Sprint ST and the Yamaha FJR1300.

Each rider is going to have a different preference among these bikes, but what I’m going to do is try and explain the different qualities that allow each of us to determine which type of rider we are.
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Ok. This is awesome. Wired magazine has published an article that proves once and for all that Women get as hot and bothered by exotic cars as men do (or more)!

A study commissioned by a phallically named insurance company proves beyond all doubt that the unbridled roar of an Italian supercar turns women on but the soft purr of a fuel-efficient econobox doesn’t stimulate anyone’s MPG-spot.

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A couple of years ago I wrote about the Toyota Volta. I said that if Toyota would build it, I would take the very first one. And I was dead serious. But of course, just like every other car manufacturer on the freakin planet, they didn’t!

What is it with these car manufacturers that prevents them from building 3-seat sports cars? Seriously, they can just take a normal vehicle like a Corvette and widen it a little to fit the third seat. This would have the benefit of providing a wider footprint which would even help with performance. In addition, it would place the driver dead center in the vehicle for perfect left/right weight distribution.

Toyota wasn’t the first to disappoint me, nor will they be the last. Here is a list of other concept cars that I know of which have never come to fruition. If you know of others please let me know.
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Wow. This 20/20 report is pretty shocking. Did you know that some of the “brand new” tires you’ve been buying to put on your car may actually be several years old? And did you know that after about 6 years they are no longer safe?

Well, it’s time to check the expiration dates (yep, the tires have dates on them) and take action to make sure your family is safe! Oh, and don’t be going for those “manager specials” either anymore. Just watch the video to learn all about it.
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Ok seriously. Who here doesn’t want to build their own hovercraft? Thank you, I rest my case.

Hovercrafts are totally cool. You can build a small one with a leaf blower for less than $50, or you can buy a big kit and spend a few grand. Of course, you can also opt for a commercial version that is fully manufactured “to marine leisure standards“, but however they chose to do it, here are a bunch of folks who are living the dream.
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I’ve got a Q45. Actually, more correctly, I’ve owned four Q45s. My first was a 1993, the first generation, with 278 horsepower. It was the luxury car that defined sport and it was unique and a class leader. My next was a 1997. I enjoyed it, although it was less edgy and didn’t seem as fast. But then came my real love… the 2002. The last generation of Q45, and definitely the finest. My current Q, a 2004 model, is from the same generation and with just a couple of extra features not previously available on the ‘02.

My other car is an NSX, so it should make sense that even when I choose a big, old-man, luxury vehicle it’s gonna still be a tech-laden hot rod. And that is exactly what the Q45 is. Although they currently aren’t producing the Q45, the rumor is that they are developing the next generation currently. Meanwhile, you can pick up fantastic deals on low mileage used models – if you can find an owner willing to give theirs up!
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It’s been a little while since I’ve dished out my weekly links. Let’s see if I can get back in the habit from here on out…

• Threadless Wall Graphics Shop – Very cool! And Cheap!
• Spade High School’s Last Graduation
• Cool Cars We Miss – #1 My NSX!
• TripIt is a travel assistant that automatically organizes travel plans.
• Bubble Guru is totally cool. But way, way too expensive. Where is the free version?

The Vectrix is a brand new battery powered maxi-scooter capable of carrying two adults around town all day in silence without burning a single drop of gasoline.

Here are a few stats:

• This sucker weighs a whopping 462 lbs (Holy bloat Batman)! That is as much as my old 160 MPH Sprint ST!
• The electric motor produces 48 lb ft. of torque (65 nm) and 27 horsepower (20.2 kw)
• Accelerating the big scooter to 50 mph takes 6.8 seconds.
• Top speed is 62 MPH, with a max range of 68 miles at 25 MPH. (Range decreases with higher speeds.)
• The battery pack has a rated battery capacity of 3.7Kwh and is designed for up to 1,700 full charging cycles.
• The 1.5 kW on-board charger plugs into a standard outlet and provides an 80% charge in just over 2 hours.
• Effective cost of operation should be 10% of the equivalent cost of gasoline.

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Folks, this is cool. For any of you out there that routinely go camping, fishing, to outdoor sporting events, or even like to take the family to the park for picnics – the Freedom Grill Hitchmount BBQ Grill looks like a fantastic option to carry along and do the cooking on the spot.

I really like everything about the design of this unit, from the secure hitch mount to the articulating arm and even the way the side trays fold into the unit for storage and transport. If there is anything I’d complain about though, it’s the fact that the base unit (offered at Amazon) only has one 12,000 BTU burner. That’s not a lot of heat for doing any sort of serious grilling. For example, steaks are going to take a long, long time, and you’ll never be able to sear them so they’ll come out a little dry.

However for burgers, chicken breasts, hot dogs, corn, and other transportable picnic food this thing should get the job done, and the only thing you need to take with you are some portable propane cylinders.
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Two shows that I loved during my youth were The Dukes of Hazzard, and Starsky and Hutch. And probably the main reason I loved these shows was the fact that they were always driving like complete maniacs!

Yeah, I’m a car guy. I can quote car stats like some people quote sports stats. So when I came across this video I had to share it!

So now, Vicki Butler-Henderson, of British TV show 5th Gear, races two of the most famous TV cars ever – the Dukes of Hazzard’s Dodge Charger, the General Lee, versus Starsky and Hutch’s Ford Gran Torino.
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