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Alan Alda in Scientific American Frontiers: Future Car Alan Alda in Scientific American Frontiers:
Future Car

In its 14th season, Alan Alda in Scientific American Frontiers continues to investigate a spectrum of fascinating scientific topics. This episode visits scientists and engineers at the Big Three - GM, DaimlerChrysler and Ford - to see what they and others are doing to develop cars that use less oil and produce less pollution.

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Among the great number of problems facing the world, where do you think creating a fuel-efficient, non-polluting vehicle rank?

What effect[s] do you think the current high price of gas may have on automobile design?

Would you buy a new-technology vehicle still in its experimental stage? Why or why not?

What do you think accounts for the lack of change in basic engine technology since its creation?

What downside, if any, do you think there may be to significantly reducing or eliminating gas as the fuel for automobiles?

When choosing a car, what features matter most to you? Why?

How do you react when you hear a manufacturer claim that the key to the success of new-technology vehicles is to create cars that "people will lust over"?

In attempting to solve our nation's transportation problems, what issue(s) do you think should be addressed first? Why?

The automobile was originally a plaything of the wealthy, but eventually became a vehicle for the "common man." What other innovations do you think followed a similar pattern?

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