![](http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/2012/yamahaframeb.jpg")
VIDEO AT LINK............
Posted on 11/06/2012 1:29:52 PM PST by Red Badger
Look what an Australian designer would like us to roll with in a no-emissions future: A motorcycle powered by nothing but air. Adding to a growing portfolio of ideas centered around compressed-air engines, this good-looking entry is called the 02 Pursuit. As an alternative-fuel bike, it reaches impressive speeds, given that is powered by a tank of compressed air. Opened up all the way, according to claims, the O2 Pursuit can do over 60 miles on a single tank and can zoom past trees and mountains at 87 mph. The obvious advantage to electric bikes would be that this Pursuit cycle would not require the big heavy batteries, long re-charging waits, and thoughts about battery disposal.
The O2 Pursuit was designed by Dean Benstead, an industrial designer and a graduate of RMIT University, in Melbourne, Australia. Benstead started out with a what-if idea: "Living in a world where people can commute in vehicles and have fun without impacting on the environment in a scenario that seems unachievable and unimaginable—what if we could?" He worked the idea into a functional prototype stage with numerous design iterations along the way. He said he conducted a validation of air as power source with the use of life-cycle analysis mapping and futuring. A Yamaha WR250R frame was fitted with a compressed-air engine, which is the DiPietro Air Engine developed by Engineair Australia, and a standard scuba diving tank. Last year, he showcased his O2 Pursuit air-powered motorcycle at the Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter Show. This year, the O2 Pursuit is one of the inventions that have been shortlisted for the upcoming James Dyson Award. There are 15 projects on the list and the winner and two runners-up will be announced on November 8.
As some suggest, however, the idea is wonderful but not yet practical. The drawback is lack of refilling stations, and a need to find power to compress the air in the first place. While gas stations are available to provide compressed air, they would not be efficient for something like a scuba tank. The answer would be in a "distributed generation smart grid," he said, where refill stations can be positioned around a city or rural area to facilitate the required range. The refill points would be navigable via the user's integrated smartphone and GPS system. Air energy could be compressed via solar or wind and stored in an inert state forever. Right now, however, the O2 Pursuit is a project that provides an inviting look into the use of air as an alternative fuel in, as he said, a post-petroleum world.
VIDEO AT LINK............
motorcycle ping!.........
I kinda doubt that thing would do very well in hauling my big blobby carcass around town.
Just like electric cars, except a different energy storage medium.
Cool idea, but what caught my eye was the “no emission” lede. Er . . . how does the compressed air get compressed in the first place? Unicorn farts?
I want one powered by compressed carbon dioxide made from burning spotted owls.
Not bad for a proof of concept at least.
}:-)4
Zero emissions? Really? That air magically compresses itself. Idiots.
So whats the range on this sort of a thing and what kinda psi do the require it be pumped up to. I just can’t see it going very far.
Visions of bikers asking passerbys, “hey, pull my finger.”
Mask and snorkel sold separately.
Wow! Put on some bags for stuff and that would be a great run-to-the-market commuter. And I have a scuba supply store less than a mile from my house.
Energy is required to compress the air. That probably comes from fossil fuels.
Nice bike but there are no free lunches.
Another “green” example of displaced benefits. While the bike itself may not pollute, the energy expended somewhere else to compress the air will pollute (unless it’s hydroelectric or nuclear). Is the net efficiency of using air to power this bike greater than the bike burning fossil fuel directly, instead of at the power plant? Doubtful.
Still requires some form of fossil fuel to compress the air.
They’ll never learn.
A motorcycle that runs on just air?
......insert joke here..........
Joe Bite me
What’s the cost of filling up a scuba tank?
There is a French Corp that has an air propelled car!
This is nothing new.
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