Direct Methanol Fuel Cells in Mobile Devices?

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id%3B796708787%3Bfp%3B16%3Bfpid%3B0' target='_blank'>http://www.computerworld.com.au/ind...3B16%3Bfpid%3B0</a><br /><br /></div><i>"High-performance handheld electronic devices such as smart phones, video/music players, multi-functional PDAs and RFID tag readers require longer usage times than power sources currently provide. Traditional battery technologies are not keeping pace with these demands. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) offer several advantages over lithium-ion batteries. Methanol, otherwise known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is a colorless liquid commonly used in antifreeze for windshield washer fluid. It is lighter than water and weighs far less than a lithium-ion, making it a better option for portable electronics. A DMFC provides longer usage between charges, increasing run time between charges by two to 10 times over the status quo of current battery technologies. And when a charge is needed, a DMFC fuel refill can be easily swapped into place without interruption of power. Moreover, methanol is inexpensive and widely available. A gallon of methanol, enough to power a cell phone for about 10 years, costs only US$10. A DMFC converts chemical energy into electricity via oxidation of methanol."</i><br /><br />So if the recently-announced <a href="http://www.physorg.com/news4081.html">nuclear battery</a> or <a href="http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=31&art_id=qw111596760144B215">blood battery</a> wasn't your cup of tea, then maybe the new DFMC will tickle your fancy, especially since it's a lot more feasible in this day and age. Having one of these for your Pocket PC would be really neat, and as they say, <i>"with a better power pack and a spare fuel refill or two, there are no more AC cubes to pack and carry, no more international adapters to pack and carry, no more car chargers, no more searching for an electrical outlet and no more waiting for a charge."</i> Really? Sweet! :mrgreen:

[threedaysdwn]

Interesting...

Not sure how I feel about "refilling" my phone, though. Or "gassing up" my laptop.

Unless there's a way to make the cradle do it :)

[Sven Johannsen]

Couldn't take it on an airplane.

[Kadegboye]

Hi,
This is very interesting! What sets off the oxidation reaction? How do you dispose of the waiste products - probably water and carbon dioxide? I am sure the manufacturers will do a good job at answering this lingering questions. Is there any being developed at the moment?
Kay.

[LarDude]

Hi,
This is very interesting! What sets off the oxidation reaction? How do you dispose of the waiste products - probably water and carbon dioxide? I am sure the manufacturers will do a good job at answering this lingering questions. Is there any being developed at the moment?
Kay.

From what I have heard, it is recommended that you always carry a hankerchief (with your favourite PocketPC logo embroidered on it, of course) to wipe off the condensation that will form on your PDA, laptop, cellphone, etc... :wink:

[kcrain]

Everything being equal, I sure wouldn't mind spending $10 for the power to run my ipaq for 10 years! It gives a whole new meaning to never running "out of juice." Granted, that if it were safe enough for airline travel, you wouldn't have to worry about the battery dying part way through a movie! They'll definitely have to develop easy, safe ways of refilling and disposing of the fluids.

[caubeck]

I'm waiting for the laptop, PDA or phone that runs on sweat and tears.

[LarDude]

I'm waiting for the laptop, PDA or phone that runs on sweat and tears.
That would be brilliant! As we all know, Windows-based laptops, PDAs, and smartphones have produced almost nothing except "sweat and tears" (oh, and let's not forget "blood"), so one could then create an almost endless cycle...if we could produce a lossless system, which we could do if only we could improve the efficiency with which Windows produces "sweat and tears"...hmmm...aha!!...maybe MS could make Windows *more* bug-ridden and crash-prone.

[threedaysdwn]

I'm waiting for the laptop, PDA or phone that runs on sweat and tears.
That would be brilliant! As we all know, Windows-based laptops, PDAs, and smartphones have produced almost nothing except "sweat and tears" (oh, and let's not forget "blood"), so one could then create an almost endless cycle...if we could produce a lossless system, which we could do if only we could improve the efficiency with which Windows produces "sweat and tears"...hmmm...aha!!...maybe MS could make Windows *more* bug-ridden and crash-prone.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&amp;click_id=31&amp;art_id=qw111596760144B215



They've already figured out the "blood" part :P

[caubeck]

A device powered by bugs would be popular, too.

[Darius Wey]

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&amp;click_id=31&amp;art_id=qw111596760144B215

They've already figured out the "blood" part :P

As was linked in my initial post - although I'd see that geared more towards medical use than geek use. :P