24-Hour Power Cells for Wearable PCs

Stacey Brewer sent us linkage to a press release from Xybernaut DCH Technology to work on 24-hour fuel cells for use with their Mobile Assistant: a crazy little wearable that yes, will run Linux. I need a demo unit, darnit!

Comments

Re:Is there anything we can't do?

[trollking]

my fridge will run freebsd, but my toilet will run windows.

Thank You,
Troll King

Details?

[esperandus]

While the idea is interesting in and of itself, the press release does not seem to link to a detailed technical description (at least at first glance). Fuel cell technology is efficient and environmentally benign, but to get a reasonable amountof power you traditionally need a lot of membrane stacks [and space]. A power supply that takes up a good amount of space is not something that would ssem to be partuicularly beneficial to a wearable computer.

In addition, the oxidant the cells actually use is not mentioned. Although it is assumedly hydrogen, we cannot be sure. The questions of storage and cost rear their ugly-ish heads as well. Of sourse, there is also the exhaust (probably water). Where will it be disposed?

How much power is the unit supposed to provide? What power usage are tehy assuming in oredr ot arrive at the 24 hour usage potential? Etc etc etc etc. All in all, the statement seems more product of marketdroid hyperbole than anything else.

Can somebody actually provide any of the details? Did I miss something obvious? I found nothing relevant in the technical FAQ, the support area, or the company info...so, what should we make of this announcement?

Re:Details?

[Yardley]

Here's DCHT Tech's explanation of their fuel cell technology:

http://www.dcht.com/prod/pem.htm

It should answer some of your questions, but it doesn't appear to be all worked out.

Re:Some issues

[Yardley]

For those of you interested in the car side of this issue, here's a link to a different company which is making fuel cells in connection with automobile companies. One thing of interest: California will be requiring 10% of all car's sold to be Zero Emission Vehicles in the year 2004. I, for one, can't wait.

www.ballard.com

www.drivingthefuture.org

What is a Fuel Cell?

This Should Be Given Much More Attention

[gilgongo]

Power issues for mobile devices will prove to be a real rain on the their parade.

I've read what seems like 10,000 articles in the popular (and even technical) press that predict mobile computing will be super huge in 3 to 5 years time. Here in Europe, we'll have GPRS and 2Mb/s on our handheld devices by 2002 (apparently), so journos are predicting we'll have full-motion video feeds, etc., on our cellphones and the like.

Well, we might, but we'll also have to develop full-on biceps to carry the batteries that will have to power the things.

More reserch money for power!

G

Add cost to the list

[milliyear]

I noticed that the lithium batteries for their current product are listed as providing 4 to 6 hours runtime. So at 12 to 24 hours runtime, you are only talking about lasting 2 to 4 times as long. Yes, I know 2 to 4 times longer IS a big deal, but can they bring it in at 2 to 4 times the cost of the current batteries? And the lithiums are easily rechargeable with a plug-in adapter. How will they distribute Hydrogen? Home electrolysis units? And, IIRC, the Space Shuttle fuel cells have a useful life of 2400 hours. How will these compare? The lithiums are supposed to be rechargeable 500 times.

I really do hope they answer all the questions we've raised. I'm not convinced that their application sounds like a hit in the marketplace, but, as others have mentioned, there are plenty of other applications for fuel cells of all shapes and sizes.

Existing Battery Technology

[Anonymous Coward]

There is some current batery technology that will already provide power for up to 21hrs.

Lithium Ion SuperPolymer batteries..
http://www.electrofuel.com

Although fuel cells dont have a recharging problem... how will you store extra fuel?

Xybernaut Love-fest hypocritical?

[cshotton]

Everyone loves the fact that Xybernaut is building their technology around Linux. But it's clear that the sentiments of the Linux community lean strongly against using patents to control the marketplace.

Is anyone as troubled as I am by the following excerpt from their press release?

This combination of expanded battery life in conjunction with our patent portfolio of more than 450 patent applications awarded and pending will further position Xybernaut to maintain its leading role in the wearable computing industry.

Sounds a lot like they're preparing to crawl up the backside of anyone who tries to play in their sandbox, Open Source or not.

Re:Xybernaut Love-fest hypocritical?

[karb]

Most people in the linux community are bothered only by software patents. I would guess that if they had 450 patents, and we've heard of none of them, that they're primarily hardware.

And they do have some pretty cool hardware. They're based in my current hometown, and had a little demo at the fairfax county fair, which I saw before seeing They Might Be Giants. There are no screens like 1-inch screens that nobody else can see. "Sure boss, I'm working. (slashdot slashdot slashdot)"

Re:Humans produce electricity. Why not use that?

[Cheerio Boy]

The Matrix here we come!

*grin*



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