Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Green Culture, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, SEMA Show
Erin Brockovich gets your attention, but can magnets improve fuel economy?
Erin Brockovich was passionate about confronting world pollution and a physics professor was confident in the technology, but I'm still skeptical about the real-world benefits of a magnetic treatment for fuel. Brockovich and Dr. Rongjia Tao of Temple University were featured speakers at a SEMA press conference for two products from Save The World Air. First is the MAGChargR, which is basically a magnet that is positioned after the carburetor or fuel injector. The magnetic field purportedly changes the molecular structure of the fuel, breaking up the fuel droplets to promote more efficient combustion; hence better fuel economy and less harmful emissions. The other is CAT-MATE, an enhanced catalytic converter that STWA says improves cold-start pollution-reduction efficiency.
The magenetic theory has been applied to other fuel-saving products. Many regulatory bodies and consumer groups, including the EPA, have found no significant improvements in automobiles. Literature from STWA emphasizes tests conducted by Chinese labs on carbureted two-stroke motorcycles. While the company says the technology is applicable to late-model vehicles, no evidence of tests on cars or trucks was presented at the press conference. Officials said they are in talks with the EPA to submit the products for testing. And the Rand Corporation says it is reviewing all compiled test data and will issue a report before year's end.
Company officials stressed that the technology is still emerging and additional products that address concerns from skeptics will be introduced. Retail price, depending on applications, would range from $30 up to $195, said one official. STWA also said the technology has been offered to major automakers but none has entered in negotiations.
Brockovich is a compelling speaker and there is no argument with her position on world pollution. I'm not a physics expert and can't debate the controlled laboratory experiments that Dr. Tao conducted. But there are many emerging technologies that show promise in the lab or on a virtual simulation program that have yet to relate in the real world. I'm not convinced any magnetic device will have "significant" effects on fuel economy or emissions on a late-model gas or diesel engine. I see much more potential in sophisticated fuel-spark mapping in the engine-management computer as a way to improve fuel economy. As for carbureted two-stroke motorcycle engines that have no pollution controls, I'm open to the possibility that the principles Dr. Tao advocates could make a noticeable improvement with the proper execution. I still need to see more test results on STWA products, hopefully from labs with which I'm familiar - such as Consumers Union - and which will completely disclose the test procedures to ensure consistency and repeatability.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Howard Lee Harkness 12:06PM (11/03/2006)
This isn't even newsworthy. These magnetic devices never manage to get past a real double-blind study. If one of them ever actually shows significant fuel mileage improvement in an independently repeatable, well-controlled, double-blind study, that would be news. Until then, you can file this under the same general category you use for perpetual-motion machines, and not waste your readers' time.
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Phil L. 1:04PM (11/03/2006)
Please, AutoblogGreen, let Styledash take care of hyping Erin's career.
Meanwhile, note that the FTC (among others) have categorized fuel-line magnet devices in the "have been found not to increase fuel economy" list:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/gasave.htm
If AutoblogGreen is to have a relevant, reputable voice, it must be willing to stick with real news and events. Leave the snake oil to the hucksters.
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Leszek Pawlowicz 1:39PM (11/03/2006)
I second the comments above. These magnet devices have never been shown to work, and in fact have been shown NOT to work on numerous occasions. The manufacturer's claims are meaningless: the makers of another similar product, the Super FuelMax, claimed they had test results that proved it worked, when in fact it didn't:
http://www.ftc.gov/os/2001/11/evhccmp.htm
And yet, people are still selling this fraudulent device.
Dr. Tao's participation makes this slightly more plausible, but only slightly. A web search indicates that he's found that electric or magnetic pulses can reduce the surface tension on heavy oil, making it easier to pump. But the exact mechanism for this effect isn't described, and it could be just a simple heating effect. In any case, it has no relevance to the effects on gasoline, since surface tension isn't a factor in internal combustion engines efficiency.
The line that "they are in talks with the EPA to submit the products for testing" is another red flag. Federal regulations require the EPA to test any product submitted to it as a fuel-saving device; the only requirements are that the company pay for the testing, and that the EPA use its standard mileage testing procedures. They could set this up with the EPA right away if the company really wanted the data - no talking required. The fact that they haven't, but are instead touting claims of tests in China on two-stroke motorcycles is telling. If they wanted impartial, undeniable proof of this product's efficacy, they could have had it by now
.
Ms. Brockovich may be an admirable human being, but she's not anyone in a position to assess these claims, especially when she's being paid for it. Race drivers, who presumably know more about cars, endorse bogus gas-saving products all the time for cash.
http://greendrivinghandbook.com
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loikll 3:14PM (11/06/2006)
It's a total scam and this over-the-hill hyped-up nobody Erin Brockovich is trying to rip you off. What's hard to understand about that? Golly, maybe she was never a fit subject for hero-worship in the first place.
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Big Al 3:50PM (11/06/2006)
Hey, she doesn't look anything like Julia Roberts.
In all seriousness, this magnet thing sounds like about 50 other "miracle" devices you see advertised in the back of Popular Science promising 20-30% better mileage and can be installed with simple handtools.
To quote a line from the Erin Brockovich movie, when asked how she obtained sensitive information for her case against PG&E, she replied "They're called boobs, Ed". Sounds like she's been utilizing her secret weapons again...
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Paul Donohue 6:57PM (11/06/2006)
There are some real know-nothing comments from your readers. First the STWA ZEFS device (AKA MagChargR) is not a in-line magnetic device like the "Super Fuel Max." It must be installed at the point of fuel injection whether in a carbureted or fuel injection vehicle not on the fuel line. Second, the device surpassed Euro 3 standards at the Hong Kong Exhaust Emissions Lab, which, though in China, is a lab certified by the United Kingdom Vehicle Certification Agency. It thus is approved for such emissions control use in Europe. The effectiveness of this device is also backed by the independent research of the Rand Corporation, which is to publish its research on the device and technology by 12/31/06. The device works; tests have and will continue to show that.
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Zerohero 8:43PM (11/06/2006)
The difference between the STWA products and those others mentioned above is simply put thus: Every test done on SWTA devices has shown positive results.
Further no one has yet shown that it doesn't work. Why are so many of you here dismissing it out of hand without looking at the facts?
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Schneegz 4:45PM (11/19/2006)
Magnetic devices improve fuel economy via the same principles that enable aluminum foil hats to block Big Brother's mind control rays.
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Loretta Worden 9:04PM (11/20/2006)
I am here in eastern Canada and have just been offered the Magnetic Gas Saver. I am so glad to find that others do not believe it works anymore than I do. This is really the first I have heard of the devices that sell here from a privately ...LOL...for $250.00.
It is dissappointing the Erin would allow herself to be used this way.
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Paul 2:47PM (1/22/2007)
After examining the numbers at the Save The World Air website here's what I found. There were three tests performed in Thailand, China, and Hong Kong.
The Thailand test had one of their devices tested with a Suzuki motorcycle on a dynamometer once without the device and again with the device. There were no drive cycles per Euro 3 specifications and no concluding baseline test. Without a complete A-B-A test it's impossible to determine whether the improvement is from the device or other factors. It's also important to note that the CO2 decreased from the first test to the second test by 8% while the fuel consumption improved by 24%. Fuel consumption improvements are directly proportional to CO2 emissions, so these two numbers should have been the same.
The Shanghai test consisted of two measurements of the device installed in a Chinese JL-125 motorcycle. No baseline tests were conducted. Without baseline tests it is impossible to determine if any improvements occurred at all, let alone if the device is even doing anything.
The Hong Kong test was the most extensive and consisted of 2 baselines with 7 tests of various configurations with two of STWA's products. The measurements between the two baseline test varied as much as 25%. The test that STWA used to promote the emissions improvements was performed twice. Depending on which test result and baseline test was compared, the device could have been shown to increase or decrease emissions. Guess which combination was chosen.
It doesn't look too promising for this magnet.
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Paul 12:32PM (4/28/2007)
Here's an update. Yesterday the Rand Corporation released a report detailing tests of Save the World Air's device. Their conclusion was that the theory about magnets affecting gasoline molecules was bogus, and that the technology doesn't work. Here's a link to the report:
http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2007/RAND_TR313.pdf
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Gagan 11:32PM (12/04/2007)
Well then, how about a cancer expert? Under a contempt of court threat her firm admitted it had no data regarding excess cancers at the school. Further, the Beverly Hills Courier reported that long after Brockovich's "300 cancers" assertion her firm had filed only 216 complaints of which only 94 concerned cancer. University of Southern California epidemiologists also found no unusual rate among former students.
Brockovich also insisted that air samplings collected by a lab she'd hired showed massive levels of benzene, a human carcinogen. "When they came back I said "I can't believe this." So we went four times, five times, six times," Brockovich claimed. "And each time we were getting the same results."
Brockowich is thinking that bribe has no relation with environmental pollution by commenting on my communication in the following blog
www.brockowichblog.com
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Chris M 2:41AM (12/05/2007)
The "theory" they describe is pure bafflegab, and has no basis in reality. Magnetic fields do not change "the molecular structure" of materials, especially in non-polar non-magnetic fluids like gasoline.
Every test done on SWTA devices has shown positive results only because they are all done by SWTA or somone paid by SWTA to get "positive results". As others have pointed out, the fact that they haven't really submitted it to the EPA for testing is revealing. Even more telling is the extraordinarily high price for simple cheap magnets, and how much the price varies - The scammers set the price to whatever maximum the dupes will be willing to pay.
There are only two ways to improve fuel economy with magnets: Use the magnets as part of a motor in a hybrid electric system, or use the magnets to hold up the accelerator pedal.
It is tragic that Erin Brockovitch has gone way outside her field of expertise and has become the unwitting shill for a scam operation. It isn't the first time a celebrity has been deceived, and unfortunately, it won't be the last.
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Gagan 2:34AM (12/06/2007)
"they are all done by SWTA or somone paid by SWTA to get "positive results"
Note the above phrase by chris
Actually the real problem with americans and british is that they dont know and mean what they say.
Leave alone following the thinkings they express.
Inspite of following conclusions of a research by cambridge university they still are stubborn
Don't even think about using spell check!!!!!!!!
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be
in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt ! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.
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Terry 5:54AM (2/08/2008)
All of you people that have not installed magnets on your fuel lines and think you know-it-all, are full of s..t! I have done it myself and know that in will increase your mileage. So I would suggest that opening your mouth that far is inviting of a foot being put there, "yours".....
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Gagan 12:10AM (3/08/2008)
Awards
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Gagan 12:16AM (3/08/2008)
www.pollutionindelhi.wordpress.com
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greengo746 1:52AM (5/20/2008)
I am no engine or physic expert. I am just a guy who loves racing very much. I have tested a few of these magnetic product and guess what. Only 1 of them actually worked so far. The one I am talking about does give a boost in engine performance and fuel economy.
From my personal view, in order for the magnetic device to work, it has to be in certain range of power. Unfortunately, most of the product that are sold in the market do not reach the power range in order to make it effective.
I know most people have bought the product and found its not working. This is because some manufacturer do not do research on it. They are just profit oriented and as a result public have a negative view on the technology.
Its working for me and a lot of people. It may take some time for public to accept it but for me I am currently saving around 20-30% of fuel usage. I have read the article and would love to see it put in practical use. Its a new approach and who knows it may just work.
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Paul 2:56PM (6/18/2008)
Let's see. Gas is over $4.00/gallon here in the states, and Save The World Air has absolutely nobody selling their "product" here. Oh, I'm sorry, they are selling stock.
Can you say, "scam"?
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