On Sat, Sep 06, 2014 at 09:37:04AM +0200, Knapp wrote:
> I would go with your statement until the tech takes a big jump. To go with
> your engine analogy take a look at this new motor. It is smaller, better
> and lighter and simpler than current tech.
> http://www.gizmag.com/duke-engines-axial/33631/

From the appearance and design description, it's going to have huge
problems with durability.  That's a heck of a lot of surface area
subject to high pressure gases and combustion, with sliding motion in
two dimensions, while having to remain sealed.  There have been lots
of other high-performance prototype engines that have the same design
difficulty.  So far that has always been serious enough to prevent
them from making it into mainstream production.  It will be
interesting to see if this design copes with that better than the
previous ones.

- Tim