CES Unveiled: Moletech Fuel Saver Gives You Free Gas (!?)
Sun Jan 6, 2008 11:29AM EST
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Last night's CES Unveiled event was the first official happening of the CES show (if you don't include the ridiculous delays at SFO just to get here), and while it was jam-packed full of sweaty journalists in a room too small to fit them, I was surprised by how little new stuff was on display. Aside from some new robots from Wowwee (see our official Flickr stream for pics) and the occasional gadget, a lot of CES Unveiled 2008 was stuff leftover from CES 2007 and even 2006.
One item caught my eye, though: A company called Moletech (pronounced "mall-eh-tek"), aka Mtech, which makes a set of gizmos designed to increase your gas mileage.
The Moletech Fuel Saver includes a kit of small metal cylinders that you hook up to your jalopy. Depending on the type of car you have and the type of fuel it uses, you drop them in the gas tank, clip them to the air filter, and/or strap them to the radiator hose. You then drive normally and reap the benefits of better gas mileage, thanks to these "sensors" -- 10 to 20 percent better, depending on the vehicle.
A variety of sets are available, for everything ranging from scooters to semi trucks.
How does it work? A Moletech marketing rep couldn't really say what was inside the devices, partly because of trade secrets and partly, he said, because he wasn't an engineer. But the basic idea is that "fuel molecules have a tendency to cluster together" and the Moletech Fuel Saver somehow "breaks them up" leading to more complete combustion and less "carbon build-up." Better combustion equals less fuel used overall.
That's the theory, anyway. Of course the claims are outrageous... but Moletech handed me about 50 pages of material insisting it's true, including a study from Murdoch University in Australia that backs up its claims. Obviously, I'm in a hotel room at Vegas and can't verify it either way, but if you're willing to gamble $119 to $399 to give this kit a try for yourself, please know that you have my utmost respect and admiration. Remember, I'm just the messenger on this one, folks... and a severe skeptic for the time being.
Comments on CES Unveiled: Moletech Fuel Saver Gives You Free Gas (!?)
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2 Posted by kupriaa1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse
mgilbert is right- you sound no better than the Sales Rep who introduced you to the product.
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3 Posted by cnull on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse
Live reports from a trade show, by necessity, doesn't allow for in-depth coverage. I will reiterate my skepticism here, if it wasn't clear in the story.
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4 Posted by hookemhorns5468 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse
sounds sketchy... but i thought the little theory thing sounded plausible.
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5 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
This was first introduced way back in 2003. Its nice to see that the technology has matured. They have it available for any type of vehicle - car, trucks, motorcylces, boats, etc. etc.
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6 Posted by hanskieserman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:16PM EDT Report Abuse
I bet it's equally effective for all types of vehicles :)
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7 Posted by lowspeedtrack on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:58PM EDT Report Abuse
The device works - the company are not fly-by-nighters with a touchy-feely, airy-fairy New-Age angel dust product - they have testimonials from end users, and it does do what it's supposed to do. The device is a ceramic compound that effectively acts as a 'fuel wetter' - just the same principle as 'water wetters' or surface-tension reducers. The fuel atomises better and burns more thoroughly. As always, if you have a poor condition engine, and drive badly, don't expect miracles. With a good condition engine, and good driving style, the device will pay for itself within 9-12 months. When all fuels go up another 30% within 12 months, you'll be congratulating yourself on your foresight to invest in this device. Lets shove it up the Arabs and the Oil Co's with their oil greed. I can't wait for the day when we don't need their oil at all.
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8 Posted by boloixjm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse
This is what I guess happens. The more efficient fuels, and therefore more highly refined and expensive kerosene and propane, consist of fairly small chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms, whereas the less efficient and cheaper fuels, gasoline and diesel, are made of long chains of molecules. This simple breakdown of the fuel cuts the long chains of hydrocarbons into bite-size parts -- the smaller the parts the better the burn -- taking cheap fuels and making them combust like expensive ones. Is relatively new, is being used already at industrial level. ALSO, this could also have a dramatic impact on the environment, with the reduction of combustion waste products, specifically nitrogen oxide. In the coming years, new federal requirements will force internal combustion engines to be cleaner and cleaner -- this technology could be one way to achieve compliance with the regulations. Why y'all think it's so complicated???
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9 Posted by d7667 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse
It ain't the CES"show".(Consumer Electronics Show show)
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10 Posted by shinymichael on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:20PM EDT Report Abuse
This is complete rubbish. The simple rule to apply to all these "miracle" devices is the level of secrecy. If the science is sound, the makers would be protected under a patent and have no fear of clearly proving how it works. User testimonials are also completely invalid (just like with the numerous fitness gadgets out see on late night TV). Finally, if vehicle makers could in any way meet ever tightening emissions standards by bolting on a few bits and pieces, rather than investing in costly engine redesign, they would be all over it. Please don't trot out the old Car-makers-in-bed-with-big-oil excuse it's a complete fallacy.
1 Posted by mgilbert@pacbell.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:17PM EDT Report Abuse
Sounds pretty far-fetched - and you're not supposed to just be a messenger (from your bio :I'm a longtime technology and business journalist, a hardcore tech guy, and an entrepreneur")