Apparently NASA holds patents on Carbon-Carbon engines

[crazyman]

Carbon fiber blocks, carbon fiber pistons.

Here's a two page article on the subject.
http://www.techbriefs.com/component/con ... rials/2258

[pdq67]

The, "Poli-Motor", comes to mind here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_automotive_engine

pdq67

[hpetew]

Somewhat along the lines of what Smokey Yunik was writing about towards the end of his time with Circle Track, he thought that ceramics rather than carbon fiber would replace metal however.

[peejay]

If we want to see this tech come to fruition, we either need to require "zero royalty" on any patent that reduces fuel consumption, or we need to raise CAFE and gas-guzzler taxes through the roof so that tech like this becomes viable.

Until then, we get no real progress!

[Sparksalot]

So what? No one of mortal means could afford one.

[user-23911]

You can patent anything.
It doesn't have to work.

As for NASA........they're yet to put someone on the moon so don't hold your breath too long.