NASA Tech to Boost Car Fuel Efficiency
2025-02-18
Did you know that three-quarters of the energy in gasoline is wasted as heat? Researchers at JPL are collaborating with automakers to harness NASA's space technology—thermoelectric generators—to convert waste heat from cars into electricity. This technology, used for decades in space exploration, is now being adapted to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. While automotive applications face thermal cycling challenges, JPL aims for a 10% improvement in gas mileage. Future applications could extend to other industries with waste heat.