I was just thinking that the other day. With all of our technology that we have, from the wheel, to the steam, to the wings, to the nukes, to the Bondi beach babes, to the superconductors. Why should we still be using pistons? Other than the rotary engine, surely we can create a better more efficient ways of making a fully functioning engine.....with ALL of the NECESSARY components.
For example: radio-energy-powered-multi-unit-star-trek-powered-warp-unit-antigravity. Nah, maybe not that far, but something obviously advanced. In fact I came up with some ideas, ones you could make in the shed, other than the hydrogen motor (mythbusters are WRONG, Hydro engines do work, you just need to cool it down allot, similar to rocket fuel but not as cold. The colder you make things, the more dense they become).
Think of a self contained superconducting magentic system (THAT creates a profit of energy) of interwoven magnetic field lines generating a force strong enough to drive the axles of a vehicle. All you really need is about 50 to 100 Nm of torque in the pinions and crown wheels to propel the vehicle with the torque of a 4.0L inline 6 cyl (357Nm). That is not much for a solenoid system, especially for a superconducting magnet, or washing machine motor. Think of the relatively small starter motor which can start an engine for crying out loud! You know why there is not much production in this area? It is not profitable enough for the Government, which is not true (only the Gov needs to understand this). The mining and exports of copper and lithium would shoot through the roof, as also jobs. It is just that the car makers need to start manufacturing these vehicles of a similar design, as they did with the piston. But no, the oil companies will not die out, in fact the opposite, with the rapid production of new vehicles, you have loads of profit, because any vehicle needs its boob lube (if you know what I am saying, hehehe).
