What fuel and ic engine is the best, to use while building a robot?

Question

heya.. i m planning to build a robot which can run on an ic engine. i m confused over the type of fuel and engine i should use. which do you think should i use, if the fuel should only consist of castor oil, methanol and nitro methane? (compare the availability, cost and also the stability and other chemical factors).

i want to make it as simple as possible, because i m new to engines and stuff like that. n can you name an ic engine in which i can use the above mentioned fuels..which is small, light in weight and easy to start..

do help me people..

Answer 1

I think you are way in over your head.

The size of this thing will determine the engine size, and what it has to do, lift loads, run, etc.

If it's 6" high, it's a different engine than if it were 12 ft high.

How do you plan on connecting the engine to the legs and arms? Your best bet is probably to use hydraulics. What are you using for a hydraulic pump? for hydraulic pistons?

How will you maintain it's balance? How will you control it? What are the arms for, if it has arms? Will it walk, or run or climb stairs?

What are you using for electronics?

Answer 2

40 cubic cm is just 40 ml. You cannot make an IC engine for a robot that is 40 cc. IC engines consists of cylinders, pistons, transmissions, exhaust systems, spark plugs, carburetors or fuel injection systems which are virtually impossible to incoroporate in an engine of 40 cc voulme, let alone for a robot. How are you going to transmit the power from the engine to the moving parts? Where are you going to store the fuel?  I am a little confused now.

As for Nitromethane, it is used as a fuel in race cars. I would caution you against using Nitromethane, because it is a high explosive.