Scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are developing
a system that interfaces with turbocharging and may allow smaller
engines to produce more power, thereby boosting fuel mileage.
Researchers found that injecting small quantities of ethanol into
the engines at peak load raised power and improved fuel economy by 20
percent to 30 percent.
Injecting ethanol cools the incoming air-fuel mixture, keeping it
from detonating under high boost. The MIT-designed ethanol system would
only have to be refilled about every three months and would cost
approximately $1,000. Vehicles using the system could be in production
in five years.