http://images.thesun.co.uk/picture/0,,2003280438,00.jpg

SCIENTISTS have built the smallest petrol engine — tiny enough to power a WATCH.

The mini-motor, which runs for two years on a single squirt of lighter fuel, is set to revolutionise world technology.

It produces 700 times more energy than a conventional battery despite being less than a centimetre long — not even half an inch. It could be used to operate laptops and mobile phones for months on end — doing away with the need for recharging.

Experts believe it could be phasing out batteries in such items within just six years.

The engine, minute enough to be balanced on a fingertip, has been produced by engineers at the University of Birmingham. Dr Kyle Jiang, lead investigator from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, said: “We are looking at an industrial revolution happening in peoples’ pockets.

“The breakthrough is an enormous step forward.

“Devices which need re- charging or new batteries are a problem but in six years will be a thing of the past.”

Other applications for the engine could include medical and military uses, such as running heart pacemakers or mini reconnaissance robots.
At present, charging an ordinary battery to deliver one unit of energy involves putting 2,000 units into it.

The little engine, because energy is produced locally, is far more effective.

One of the main problems faced by engineers who have tried to produce micro motors in the past has been the levels of heat produced.

The engines got so hot they burned themselves out and could not be re-used.

The Birmingham team overcame this by using heat-resistant materials such as ceramic and silicon carbide.

Professor Graham Davies, head of the university’s engineering school, said: “We’ve brought together all the engineering disciplines, both materials, chemical engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering.

“What better place to have the second industrial revolution — in nano-technology — than where the first took place, in the heart of the West Midlands.”

Source

:D

That person needs a manicure

Sounds great, but how reliable will they be? A power source without any moving parts (battery) is always going to be more reliable than one with lots (engine).

Any anyway, think of the servicing. Oil changes, plugs, belts... you will have to carry a small garage around with you. Not to mention trying to find SUL for it... ;)

Will Scoobysport be doing a zorst for it. And what about a nice loud dump valve. A pacemaker that sounds like a scooby, come on heart disease!

Bo11ox.

This is nothing new, they have been fitting these motors to Saxo,s for years.

Hello

What rubbish. Oh it's in the Sun, must be accurately reported.

Plus if it's true, I thought these people were trying to find ways of being less dependent on fossil fuels.

Steve.

It runs for fecking ages on a drop of fuel. Hardly likely to deplete the planet.

:D

Whats this, a belated April fools joke? :D

Where is the exhaust? Where is the fuel tank? Where is the oil cap and dipstick? :D

U bloody wind up merchant! :p

:D

:D

Also if its to do away with batteries what is it going to use to start the engine? :p

:D

aye, course they have

they're apparently close to finishing trials of petrol powered flying pigs as well that get round the usual problems of having to keep feeding slops to the current little pink aviators....

In the year 2010
Here - Did you hear Fred died?
Really - What happened?
Blew the head gasket in his pacemaker

Good one :D

If i get one from japan will it need a remap or will it be ok with optimax and nf?

"Will Scoobysport be doing a zorst for it. And what about a nice loud dump valve. A pacemaker that sounds like a scooby, come on heart disease! "

funniest thing ive heard all day made me actually laught out loud :D

That's bollox!