Fueling the Future 未来的燃料
- 详细资料
- 创建于 2003年12月05日
- 最后更新于 2024年5月25日
- 发布于 2011年6月13日
- 作者：Mike Lee
- 点击数：501
课文朗读
课文讲解
Diminishing stocks of fossil fuels and the environmental carnage caused by burning them have forced us to look for more efficient sources of power. Energy industry insiders are now pointing to hydrogen-driven fuel cells as the answer to our energy woes.
原油储存量日渐减缩和燃烧石油制品带来的环境恶化促使人类不得不寻求其他更有效的能源。能源界有识之士现正朝以氢驱动的燃料电池迈进，它将是我们能源难题的解答。
A cousin of the battery, the fuel cell generates electricity by a simple electrochemical reaction in which oxygen and hydrogen combine to form water. The process converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy without the intermediate step of combustion. Hydrogen fuel cell technology is quiet, efficient, and most importantly, non-polluting.
同属电池家族，燃料电池藉由氢氧结合形成水的简单电气化学反应来产生电力。作用过程把化学能直接转变为电能，而不须经过燃烧的中间步骤。氢燃料电池科技安静、有效，而最重要地是，它不会造成污染。
Fuel cells can be used for many different applications. Their versatility allows them to power everything from buildings to cell phones to cars. Currently, all major car manufacturers have fuel cell driven prototypes on the road. However, high costs and design constraints will put off mass production until at least 2010.
燃料电池的用途很广。它提供电力的多功面向包括从建筑物、手机到汽车。现在各大汽车制造商都已经有燃料电池驱动的原型汽车在路上跑了。不过，因为成本太高和设计上的限制使得大量生产的日期延宕到至少2010年以后。
This emission-free technology will not only reduce air pollution, but also curb greenhouse gasses. Furthermore, fuel cells will reduce dependence on oil imports from volatile regions. The success of fuel cells still hinges on our ability to efficiently extract hydrogen and to address such problems as ozone damage from hydrogen use. Although the verdict isn’t out yet, fuel cells are likely to power the future.
这种无废气的科技不但能降低空气污染，也能抑制温室效应气体增加。尤其，燃料电池能降低从不安定的产油国地区进口石油的依赖。燃料电池成功与否仍需端视我们能不能有效地提炼氢原子，和能不能处理因为使用氢而使臭氧受损的这些问题。虽然目前尚未定论，不过燃料电池极可能是人类未来的能源。
Vocabulary
单词发音
carnage [ˋkɑrnɪdʒ] n. 大屠杀,残杀
insider [ˋɪnˋsaɪdɚ] n. 内部的人﹐圈内人﹐业内人士
woe [wo] n. 困难；灾难；不幸
cousin [ˋkʌzn] n.【罕】同性质的人[物]; 类似之物
combustion [kəmˋbʌstʃən] n.【术语】〔产生高温和光的〕燃烧
versatility [͵vɝsəˋtɪlətɪ] n. 多用途，多功能
prototype [ˋprotə͵taɪp] n.〔新型汽车﹑机器等的〕原型; 雏型
constraint [kənˋstrent] n. 约束；限制
put off 延迟; 拖延
emission [ɪˋmɪʃən] n.〔光﹑热﹑气等的〕散发
curb [kɝb] v. 控制，遏止
volatile [ˋvɑlət!] adj. 易变的﹐动荡不定的
hinge on 取决于, 视…而定 depend on, be subject to
ozone [ˋozon] n. 臭氧
verdict [ˋvɝdɪkt] n.【口】定论；判断；意见
Sentence of the Day
They run as clean as a whistle.
它们完全不会产生污染。
as clean as a whistle 非常清洁
课文讲解
Sherry and Frank are driving to work on their scooter: 雪莉和法兰克两人正骑着摩托车在上班途中：
S: Frank, you’ve got to pass this bus. The exhaust is making me nauseous.
法兰克，你得超过这辆公交车。它排出的废气让我真想吐。
F: Yeah, this traffic is wreaking havoc on my lungs. I can’t wait for the day when fuel cell buses are introduced.
好，这交通真是大大斲伤我的肺部。我真希望公交车采用燃料电池的日子快点来临。
S: It won’t be long now. Some North American cities, like Vancouver and Chicago, are already using them. They’re twice as efficient as these gas-guzzling monsters.
很快就会实现的。北美有些城市，像是温哥华和芝加哥，已经在使用了。燃料电池的效率比这些耗油的公交车有效两倍。
F: Actually, it’s the sea of scooters that causes the most pollution in this city. Luckily, there are already a few Taiwanese companies experimenting with fuel cell technology.
事实上，是一大堆摩托车造成最严重的污染。还好，已经有些台湾厂商在做燃料电池科技的实验。
S: Yeah, but it’s still way too expensive to be commercialized. What we really need is for the government to pass legislation to limit emissions. That would definitely accelerate R&D.
是啊，可惜它现在还太贵，还不能做商业化的生产。我们很需要政府进行立法限制废气的排放。那样一定能加快研发的速度。
F: Just imagine … scooters that only emit water. Wouldn’t that be sweet?
想想看…摩托车只排放废水。多美好呀？
S: Not only would it be environmentally friendly, but it’d also be easy on the pocketbook. Have you seen the price of gas lately?
不只是符合环保，也很符合钱包的需求。你注意到近来的瓦斯价格吗？
F: Hmmm…. All this sounds too good to be true. Could it be a pipe dream?
嗯…这些简直太美好得令人难以置信。会不会只是白日梦？
S: No, I think it’s just a matter of time.
我想只是时间早晚而已。
F: Speaking of time, we’d better pass this bus or we’ll be late for work!
说到时间，我们最好超越这辆公交车，否则上班就要迟到了！
－by Howie Phung
Vocabulary
单词发音
exhaust [ɪgˋzɔst] n. 排出的气
nauseous [ˋnɔʃɪəs] adj.【尤美】感到恶心的﹐有呕吐感的
wreak havoc 造成破坏
guzzle [ˋgʌz!] v.【非正式】滥吃﹐狂饮
sea [si] n. 大量；一大片
way [we] adv. 远远地，大大地
pocketbook [ˋpɑkɪt͵bʊk] n.【美】钱包，皮夹子
pipe dream【口】幻想；空想；白日梦 A fantastic notion or vain hope.
Sentence of the Day
It'll be a breath of fresh air.
它能带来新鲜刺激的感觉。