I've had so many things on my mind, I forgot this forum was here. I put together some videos on the test forum. Solar cycle 24 is likely cause a lot of changes in the coming years (to the point of survival) so that power and water could be big problems.
Ben and Jerry's ice cream company has been involved in the development of thermoacoustic refrigeration and made a video (a couple of clips that took ME about ten minutes to download because I have dialup) and explain the theory behind the operation of thermoacoustic refrigeration.
It is also being developed as a home made project for use in poor countries where refrigeration is unavailable because of lack of energy.
This site shows a list of engine animations including the stirling. Thermoacoustic engines are still experimental in the U.S. and there seems to be very little information about them.
This video shows a 5 horsepower stirling engine in Korea that is being powered by sawdust, but gives no explanation of the process.
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About This Video
Medium temperature difference engine(starts at 70deg. C heat diff.) built from scrap metal on lunches and coffee breaks over a long period of time. It has a displacer swept volume of about 3cc and the work piston is close to 1cc. Reaches almost 1500 rpm on a small alcohol flame and approx 1000 on a tealight candle flame.
Added: October 14, 2007
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It seems like alot of progress is being made in alternative energy, but will we survive?