Portable Fuel Cells: Coming Soon?

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,114373,tk,dn012004X,00.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.pcworld.com/news/article...n012004X,00.asp</a><br /><br /></div>"A California start-up has made an advance that it says stands to make Direct Methanol Fuel Cells--envisaged as a future power source for mobile electronics devices--smaller, cheaper, and lighter. PolyFuel's development of a new Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (or DMFC) membrane comes as several of the world's largest electronics companies are developing fuel cells with a view to commercializing them later this year or next year."<br /><br />The words "Fuel Cell" and "Coming Soon" have been seen together for several years now, but this article has some details on why this announcement really might speed things along. Give it a read.

[delfuhd]

Maybe I didn't read the article intently enough, but what is the waste production of such a product?? Use a few cell for a week, throw it away? That's basically doubling the amount in mass of alkaline batteries I use every week.. That cannot be good, unless they were able to be recycled, like I am glad I am able to do with ink cartridges...

[Jason Dunn]

Indeed, the environmental impact of fuel cells hasn't really been explained very well - it's something I'm going to be watching closely.

[Kevin Daly]

That's definitely encouraging news...

However, I still can't help envisaging the following scenario:

(The Second Coming: Jesus Speaks)

JC: I've brought something you've all been waiting for for a long time..

(Expectant hush from the huddled billions...)

JC: Yep, fuel cells! You know, to power those flying cars...What do you mean you don't have flying cars yet? Oh come on!...

[nategesner]

Yeh, Jesus might say that. Then again, seeing as how He created the heavens, the earth, and all things in existence and doesn't need a fuel cell of any type, He might be more concerned with removing the non-believers from the Earth and establishing His eternal kingdom for all His brothers and sisters.

Jesus is the ultimate power cell...get plugged in!

[Kati Compton]

Less religion, more fuel cells. ;)

:nonono: