BMW has revealed a partnership with NASA to develop thermoelectric generators for its next-generation Efficient Dynamics Mk2 system which uses a little bit o' ultrascience to make 200W from wasted exhaust gasses.
Why are the eggheads at NASA mixed up with the eggheads at BMW? Well, the thermoelectric generators (TEG) are used extensively on satellites as a means of generating electric power in the vacuum of space. The space born system works by utilizing the heat from radioactive decay to drive thermocouples which generate electricity. The BMW system takes this idea and removes the radioactivity, using the otherwise wasted heat from exhaust gas to do the same work.
BMW claims a healthy 200 watt power output in prototype form, which is enough to drive some internal systems like climate control. This of course allows for a lighter alternator, less drag on the engine, etc. and results in as much as a 5% increase in efficiency. It's still in early stages, but BMW is aiming to include it in the Efficient Dynamics Mk2 system. Maybe they'll actually build it into consumer products too rather than just the test fleet of greenwashed E65s. [Car Magazine]