The magnesium injection cycle (MAGIC) is an engine design under development by Mitsubishi Corporation and the Tokyo Institute of Technology that uses magnesium and water to generate power.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} The engine also makes use of solar powered lasers.

Overview[edit]

The joint project, initiated in 2005 and still in the experimental stage, developed a prototype carbon dioxide (CO₂)-free engine in 2006 that ran successfully without the need for fossil fuels. The chemical reaction between magnesium (in a powder form) and water at room temperature produces high-energy steam and hydrogen. The hydrogen is burned at the same time to produce additional high-energy steam. These two steam sources power the engine. The energy cycle produces no carbon dioxide or other harmful emissions. The only by-products of this reaction are water and magnesium oxide. The magnesium (a common metallic element) is separated from the oxygen through a solar-powered laser process (the development of which is already well advanced) and is reused over and over again as fuel.^[1][2][3]

Output[edit]

Despite its small dimensions (approx. 5 cm in diameter and 13.5 cm in height), the engine can generate a heat output of several tens of kW from which power is obtained.^[3] The engine is intended for use in cogeneration, automobiles, ships, and many other areas. A statement in 2006 claimed that further research was planned to achieve commercialization within the next three years.^[1][3] No updated timeline has been released.

Personnel[edit]

The engine development was led by Professor Takashi Yabe with the help of Professor Ikuta and others of Tokyo Institute of Technology with the cooperation of Ono Denki Seisakusho, K.K., a precision manufacturer located in Shinagawa, Tokyo.^[3] Professor Yabe performed experiments of the technology in 2007 at the Hokkaido Toyako G8 environmental summit hosted in Chitose, Japan.^[2]

See also[edit]

• Alternative fuel

References[edit]