Re: does the list work? Yes.

The list works, but I think everyone is on vacation! It's been a bit 
quiet and the last message was something about a list problem where the 
body of email messages wasn't getting through.

Anyone been following developments in pulse detonation engines? As a 
quick primer a PDE is an engine that rather than deflagrate (subsonic 
burn) it detonates (supersonic burn) the fuel /air mixture, which 
provides a much higher efficiency and a larger operating speed range.

At one point ISSI was touring and doing taxi tests with their PDE 
demonstrator attached to a long-ez: http://www.innssi.com/pde.aspx
Their engine weighed 800 lbs, and had 150 lbs of thrust. Those numbers 
need to be inverted for the engine to provide adequate flight power to a 
long-ez. The most interesting thing about the engine though is that it's 
built of automotive parts. It's basically a grand-am cylinder head 
bolted to stainless steel tubing 
(http://www.innssi.com/images/pde03/AIAA2001-1129.pdf).  It doesn't seem 
like much has happened with their project since then, so I was curious 
what the current state of practical application of the technology was. 
Also curious if there was anyone working on PDE power plants around the 
bay area.

-- Greg