Researchers at Stanford University’s Advanced Energy Systems Laboratory have made a significant breakthrough in engine technology with the creation of a linear generator that can run on almost any type of fuel. This revolutionary engine has been under development for 14 years and has been designed to operate with multiple fuel sources without losing power. The engine is also low in emissions, requires no lubrication, and has very few moving parts. The linear generator can quickly switch between different types of green fuels, including biogas, ammonia, and hydrogen. It is a game-changer for industries seeking reliable and resilient power systems that are decarbonized.
In Mainspring’s linear generator, two translators move within a center reaction zone located between two outer air springs. A set of stationary copper coils surrounds each translator, forming a linear electromagnetic machine (LEM). A cycle begins with the introduction of air and fuel into the center reaction zone. Energystored in the air springs from a previous cycle compresses the mixture until a flameless reaction occurs. The reaction drives the translators, to which magnets are attached, back through the copper coils, producing electricity. The force of this motion also compresses the air springs, readying the system for the next cycle.MAINSPRING
The engine concept was first developed by Matt Screck, a Stanford student, who sought to transform chemical-bond energy into a more macro-scale, usable form. The earliest concepts used air and fuel in a confined chamber with movable walls that compressed the fuel-air mixture as they travelled in opposite directions, causing the molecules to clash quickly and violently until they broke apart and reformed into other molecules. This method releases energy in chemical bonds without the need for a spark or ignition source.
The team’s initial tests were successful, with the device proving efficient as a fuel cell. Mainspring Energy was established in 2010 to bild flameless compression reaction generators capable of generating and running for years at a reasonable cost. The linear generator is a remarkable technological achievement that could have far-reaching implications for a wide range of industries.
Source: Mainspring Energy, IEEE Spectrum