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Asked by Matthew to Iona on 21 Jun 2016.
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Iona Strawson answered on 21 Jun 2016:
Hi Matthew,
That’s an interesting idea, and I would think it may be possible up to a point. The issue I think would be that to generate that energy would add resistance to the movement of the turbine. It would have to work harder to overcome the force of the device used to drive the generator, like a flywheel. This isn’t an issue when pedalling a bike but when you are 30,000ft in the air you don’t want to add anything that might affect the performance of the turbine. Also, the generator, etc would add additional weight to the plane, and weight is a crucial factor in aeroplane design.
I think its an interesting concept, and someone may well have developed something – this isn’t really my area. My thoughts would be that more efficient engines or something more sustainable like biofuel is where the aerospace industry will look.
One major contributor to CO2 output that is often overlooked is the shipping industry. It contributes more CO2 to the atmosphere than planes. A sustainable fuel or better engines, alternative sources of power has the potential to have a huge impact.
What do you think?
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Comments
Matthew commented on :
I think that from what you have said there it shows that you see all these designers looking into planes (that’s why I’m interested) but you don’ see as many looking into ships. I think they think that our future lies with aircraft and not ships, it is quicker and as you have said, produces less carbon dioxide.
Also the Chinese concrete companies CO output is increasing as we are trying to decrease it, or at least that is what I heard sir talking about at school.
Jarrod commented on :
Three words ‘perpetual motion machine’.
A moving machine that uses its momentum to turn its moter to move it is the most famous mirage of science. Watch this cool video!