Recently, students from the Technical University of Eindhoven (TU) in the Netherlands are developing a sustainable 3D printing car , which is expected to be officially unveiled next summer. However, it is worth mentioning that the fuel used in this car is formic acid, which is found in the secretions of ants.
In recent years, although the hybrid and electric vehicle markets have expanded significantly, they are still far from the traditional automotive market powered by petrochemical energy. To help accelerate the growth of sustainable cars, a team called the FAST (abbreviation of formic acid sustainable traffic) was formed earlier this year from the Technical University of Eindhoven. After successfully building an formic acid-powered model, the team is now working on a full-size 3D printing vehicle that also uses formic acid. “It’s now clear that the world needs sustainability.†Tim van Lohuizen, who is responsible for public relations and marketing at the FAST team, said: “As a FAST team, we also want to make our own contributions.â€
According to Tiangong, formic acid, scientifically known as formic acid, is a sustainable, renewable fuel that can be used in FAST vehicles to achieve emission neutrality. In addition, formic acid energy density is very high, much larger than batteries and highly pressurized hydrogen tanks. A tank filled with formic acid can drive 500 kilometers without charging or refueling. Moreover, the production of formic acid is not based on ants. It can be produced by wind farms or solar panels. This form of manufacture is completely carbon neutral and does not affect the environment. For these reasons, FAST sees formic acid as a cost-effective alternative sustainable energy solution.
However, formic acid is not a direct fuel. It is decomposed into hydrogen as a carrier of hydrogen and then burned. A technology developed by the FAST team converts it to hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and then further purifies the hydrogen for use in fuel cells. Not long ago, Dr. Georgy Filonenko of the school discovered a catalyst that could quickly produce hydrogen and CO2 to form formic acid, and the reverse reaction was equally fast, making it possible to use a formic acid-fueled car.
To create the world's first formic acid-powered car, the FAST team is fully applying 3D printing technology . “3D printing technology allows us to dramatically reduce the molding cycle,†explains project member Max Wentzel. “Many of these components are unprecedented and must be designed specifically. Thanks to 3D printing technology, we are able to build such a car.â€
Initially, the students used a 3D printer made by Max Aerts, the team leader. Later, several 3D printers donated by Ultimaker were obtained, and Innofil3D also provided them with some InnoCircle recycled 3D printed wires.
At present, the FAST team's project has attracted the attention of many famous scientists. They also received a grant of 50,000 euros at the Open Mind conference in November 2015. According to the plan, the FAST team will present its functional scale model on January 14, 2016, followed by a full-size prototype. It is reported that the power required for a full-size car will be approximately a thousand times that of the scale model, so the development team may need to run at full capacity to complete the plan by the 2016 summer deadline.
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