I have always wanted to redesign the valve train in piston-rod engines because I know it requires a LOT of energy to work the valve train, an energy requirement that increases exponentially with increased RPM.
I had read somewhere that F1 engines use a pneumatic system to operate their valves. Is this true? I've never seen anything on the subject. But I once read that they use air pressure to control both the valve lift and duration. Screw VVTL-i and i-VTEC, this blows them out of the water. Infinite adjustability with NO drag or parasitic losses to the engine (except for that air compressor you have to run lol) You can have instant valve closures and instant valve openings, something camshafts and followers can't achieve due to extremely high contact pressure. You can have lower lift and duration at lower engines, and adjust it infinitely as needed for any power band at any rpm. No more timing belts, no timing chains, man that would be SA-WEEEET!
Well just now I came across this:
http://www.dynenco.net/valve_files/valve.htmHave you guys ever heard of a Desmodromic valve train? This is really interesting to me!! The link above says that Ducati motorcycles have employed this style of valves.

I think this is AWESOME because you can have the same typical belt- or chain-driven valve train just like we have now, but without the huge parasitic loss of valve springs! Think about how much energy can be saved by not having to waste it with valve springs!!!