Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : 2026 TeoTwawKi ... 2032 Darkest Interregnum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Seeker of Truth who wrote (4287)	2/14/2006 7:54:24 PM
From: Snowshoe	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 218658

The "new plastic" is carbon fiber composite. It's still in the works, and means we should continue to invest in scarce oil and gas reserves. Why? BECAUSE IMPROVED ENERGY EFFICIENCY ENABLES CONSUMERS TO PAY MORE FOR ENERGY!!! FiberForge fiberforge.com

To: Seeker of Truth who wrote (4287)	2/14/2006 9:15:45 PM
From: dan6	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 218658

The plastic material is carbon fiber, and while yes, today in 2006, it is not the material of choice in cars, but I'll bet you by 2016, it is... The RMI makes no money on any of this stuff, except consulting. It's up to industry to decide whether or not their ideas make (economic) sense...

To: Seeker of Truth who wrote (4287)	2/15/2006 2:07:49 AM
From: elmatador	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 218658

SoT such things only make impact when you see prototypes or concept cars. Ethanol exists for 30 years and only now is making significant impact. Milk the cow.

To: Seeker of Truth who wrote (4287)	2/15/2006 4:05:01 PM
From: energyplay	Respond to of 218658

Right now carbon fibre capacity is being fought over by the sporting goods producers (skis, golf clubs) and the airplane makers - Boeing and Airbus. There isn't enough capacity for both TODAY. Three years from now will be different. The Auto Industry knows about this stuff. Ford was making carbon fiber drive shafts as an experiment. For a Ford Granada in 1984.... Lots of race cars use carbon fiber parts, and many are availible on the aftermarket. 1) It's expensive 10x more than Aluminum... 2) It requires more labor 3) Quality assesment and control are much more difficult, often requiring ultarsound and more labor. 4) Long term reliability in a commericial automotive environment - road salt, polution, bumbs and dings, temperature extremes - has yet to be established. Airplanes can afford scheduled inspections - I don't see having three trained guys magnafluxing a Ford Taurus. 5) Crash performance is being worked on. My problem with the RMI people on this (carbon fiber) is they are pushing something that is already on the industry roadmap - so there is not much value added. The RMI guys need to get out more and visit some auto plants and SAE conferences. The RMI folks added a LOT of value to the Utility industry with their financial analysis of conservation under the "Negawatt" concept. A lot meaning over 10 Billion to the North American economy in savings and defering building of power plants. Pushing plug in hybrid cars is a useful idea, as it will enable any electricty source - nuclear, wind, coal, treadmills at the gym - to displace gasoline and diesel.