Recent Innovation:

The era of petrol (or gasoline) may be coming to an end. And it will not be bio-ethanol, hydrogen fuel cells, plasma, or even batteries that will bring about the end. Instead, it will be something much simpler and cleaner: compressed air.

The internal combustion engine of a car burns and oxidises petrol to generate hot gas and pressure which in turn acts on pistons to carry out mechanical work. So in effect today's car engine already uses air pressure to function.

Apparently, someone has found a way to take petrol out of the picture and just use compressed air to power it all. Moreover, combine this with a compressed air generator, itself powered by compressed air, and the whole idea of having to refuel a car disappears. In effect, a kind of perpetual motion is achieved.

Today's internal combustion engine is said to be inefficient, CO2 polluting, and, because of its dependence on a fuel source that may be running out, unsustainable.

The compressed air engine will be this century's most significant innovation.