Ask a Scientist - Topic: Alternative Energy September 11, 2006

This Month's Topic: A Cleaner Future for Cars

Our beloved internal combustion engine has gotten us into a whole lot of trouble -- namely, pollution, price, and politics. Is there really an efficient, affordable, clean, safe alternative on the horizon? You've probably heard a lot of talk about hydrogen fuel cells -- a source of electricity that could power cars whose exhaust would be clean enough to drink (water!). But this technology presents its own challenges, like the amount of energy it takes to isolate pure hydrogen, and the potential to create pollutants in the process. Presented in conjunction with the American Chemical Society, tonight's talk will focus on this and other alternative energy technologies, and will feature selected clips from Nova's fun and friendly new ScienceNOW programming.

Speaker: Nancy Garland; Technology Development Manager, U.S. Department of Energy

About the series: Ask a Scientist is an informative, entertaining science lecture series, held at a San Francisco cafe. Each event features a speaker on a current topic, a short presentation, and the opportunity to ask all those burning questions that have been keeping you up at night. No tests, grades, or pressure…just food, drinks, socializing, and conversation about the universe’s most fascinating mysteries!

Official Website: http://www.askascientistSF.com