Research Proposal
AbstractThis proposal is designed to allow the participants of the project to
objectively identify, organize, and comprehend information and opinions on
alternative fuels. Participants will research alternative fuels through use of
resources such as books, periodicals, and internet sources. Alternative fuel is a
much talked about issue and there is a lot of information to sort through. This
proposal will help participants with this by giving specific objectives to meet that
will help them separate relevant information into easy to follow charts and
organized formats. This proposal asks for participants to take an objective look
at the benefits and downsides to using alternative fuels like hydrogen and
ethanol while understanding the complex impact these fuels will have on daily
life. Proponents and critics of alternative fuels have many valid points on both
sides and it is vital to comprehending and understanding the topic to ask direct
questions that call for easy to analyze answers that can be understood by
everyone involved. This proposal is intended to raise awareness about
alternative fuels and their impact on our world and human life.
IntroductionAlternative fuels offer a new way to protect the environment. There are
many alternative fuels available and more being developed. Some of the more
promising of these fuels are hydrogen, ethanol, and electric. Alternative fuels
give mankind a better way to live life without having such a negative impact on
the world around us.
Alternative fuels differ greatly from one another and each type requires
different technologies and infrastructures to implement on a scale large enough
to make a big enough improvement on humanity’s impact on Earth. Hydrogen
fuel will require processing plants and fuel stations to be built. Ethanol will need
the same. The effects these fuels have on the environment are largely
beneficial; most often there is little to no pollution when compared to gasoline
and diesel. There are varying economic considerations involved with alternative
fuels and they must be carefully weighed against the advantages given by the
new fuels.
Some useful references pertaining to the economic and environmental
impact of alternative fuels and fossil fuels can be found in the “Opposing
Viewpoints” book series published by Greenhaven Press titled “Energy
Alternatives”. This book series have papers written by authors with opposing
views over the topic of alternative fuels and can allow for easy checking of facts
and assumptions.
Protecting the environment isn’t something that can be done only on
weekends or just some of the time. To be fully involved in this issue one must be
completely committed to the facts, science, and life changes involved with the
task. One of the relatively easy changes for the average American is running on
alternative fuels instead of fossil fuels. By purchasing and driving hybrid vehicles
or other energy efficient alternatives it becomes easier to help the planet. Earth
is the only planet humans have, and it is vital to its and our survival to keep it
safe.
This study is intended to locate, organize, and analyze information
regarding alternative fuels and any potential benefits or consequences,
environmental or economic, of their use. Alternative fuels are a hotly debated
topic. The best way to understand issues such as this is to get above all the talk
and gather all the objective information available, analyze the information, and
come to one’s own conclusions. This study is designed to allow the participants
to come to their own conclusions by following the guidelines given and answering
the questions posed by the issue.
Objectives/Hypotheses Hypothesis: Do alternative fuels have a positive effect on the
environment and human life?
 Objective 1: Research the pollutant output of alternative fuels on the air
quality (i.e. Hydrogen fuel, Ethanol) thoroughly
 Objective 2: Research the pollutant output of fossil fuels on the air quality
(i.e. Gasoline, Crude Oil derivatives)
 Objective 3: Document the differences between alternative fuels’ effects
and fossil fuels effects on air quality
 Objective 4: Document the economic impact of switching to alternative
fuels (i.e. The costs involved in changing the infrastructure and economy
to run on the new fuels, how using these new fuels will raise or lower
prices in the average American’s life such as higher corn prices with the
use of Ethanol)
Methods & Materials Method 1: Locate materials (i.e. web documents, print references) with
information concerning alternative fuels and their effects on air quality
 Method 2: Locate materials with information concerning fossil fuels and
their effects on air quality
 Method 3: Compare and contrast the two fuel types (Fossil and
Alternative) and chart out the pros and cons of using each type of fuel
concerning pollution, human impact, and environmental impact
 Method 4: Chart the price of the materials needed to produce the
alternative fuels, graph the cost to drive cars that run on Gasoline,
Hydrogen, Ethanol, Electric, and any other alternative fuel you choose for
three (3) hours at sixty (60) miles per hour with the following Miles Per
Gallon values for the Gasoline cars: Twenty (20) MPG, Thirty (30) MPG,
and Forty (40) MPG. Estimate the cost of replacing one Gasoline
powered car, truck, or van from every home in America with a hydrogen,
ethanol, or electric car (do this by subtracting the average car’s sales price
from the price to buy a car that runs on an alternative fuel)
 Materials – Required materials: Writing Utensils, Paper. Recommended
materials: Computer able to word process, access to internet.
Literature Cited or References-
Berinstein, Paula Alternative Energy Facts, Statistics, and Issues Westport, CT:
Oryx Press, 2001
Cothran, Helen Energy Alternatives San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 2002
Engler, Robert America’s Energy New York: Pantheon Books, 1989
Keeler, Barbara Energy Alternatives San Diego, CA: Lucent Books, 1990
Egendorf, Laura Energy Alternatives Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press,
2006
Friedman, Lauri Energy Alternatives Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press,
2006
TimelineMonday – Organize materials and assign people to different objectives.
Begin working on meeting objectives.
Tuesday – Continue researching and working on objectives.
Wednesday – Continue research and working on objectives.
Thursday – Begin organizing research into charts, documentations, and
papers.
Friday – Compile documentation, papers, and research with all objectives
met and methods used.
Supporting Documentation-