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Laptop Methanol Fuel Cells Promised This Week

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the wait-till-they're-in-vending-machines dept.

securitas writes: "Wired tells us that Germany's Smart Fuel Cell is about to ship the first methanol based fuel cells for laptops and other electronic devices. The company says a 120 milliliter fuel cell can power a 15W notebook for 10 hours, and you can refill it without shutting down."

7 of 249 comments (clear)

  1. 10 hours without shutting down! by blackguest · · Score: 4, Funny

    If only NT could stay up that long.

  2. Methanol? by jsmyth · · Score: 3, Funny

    Doesh it *hic* mesh up your *hic* documentsh like *hic* I do when I'm dhrinking methanol *hic* ?

    --
    jer

    We may be human, but we're still animals
    - Steve Vai
    1. Re:Methanol? by jonelf · · Score: 4, Funny

      I guess you couldn't care less about
      messing up your documents since drinking
      methanol makes you go blind. Alcoholic beverages like Bombay Sapphire contains ethanol.

      Don't drink and derive!

      --
      /J - to know recursion you must first know recursion
  3. Where does the waste go? by billwashere · · Score: 5, Funny
    Ok, fine methanol works as a safe hydrogen storage method, but I was under the impression that fuel cells use hydrogen AND oxygen to create electricity and as a byproduct create H2O.

    Where does this water go? Does it evaporate or am I going to have to take my laptop for a pee?

    --
    billwashere

  4. Is Methanol Connected to Methane? by marko123 · · Score: 3, Funny

    If so, I can eat airplane peanuts on my Melbourne to London flight and power my laptop with a strategically placed tube from my MethPort to my... well, if you are here, you've got an imagination...

    --
    http://pcblues.com - Digits and Wood
  5. Tough push for consumers by hyrdra · · Score: 3, Funny

    As others have mentioned, the availability of the fuel for these fuel cells is what is going to kill or break it. I wouldn't much mind filling up my laptop while I pump my gas, as long as it only costs me 33 cents extra. You just know if this technology takes off the methanol industry will recognize the demand and increase their bulk prices to be more expensive in smaller quantities. That's how it was with gas and oil when the car became mainstream.

    It's going to be a tough haul convincing consumers, especially because most don't see that they *are* acutally paying something when they plug in their laptop or cellphone to charge. You also can't beat the distribution of electrical outlets. There may be a fuel cell depot at every gas station and news stand, but I doubt there will be one right beside your bed.

    Personally, I'm still holding off on my hydrogen from air bit, or burning oxygen for fuel. We have plenty of "fuel" in the air, why not use it? And what about energy from plain old H2O we've been hearing about? Burn both the Hydrogen and Oxygen and you have no waste.

    Ultimatly, we will have to see. For now I would be for a hybrid battery/fuel cell slot system where you can get the instant fill-up when you need it, but still not be left in the dark when the minimart in All Pains, Michigan doesn't cary your fuel cell brand.

    --


    "I'll just chip in a bit for RedHat: I actually have that installed on my university machine." - Linus, '95
  6. Re:Flamable? by Rogerborg · · Score: 5, Funny
    • I wonder if they'll allow them on planes.

    I'm sorry sir, your methyl alcohol fuel cell is a safety hazard. Can I get you some scotch to take your mind off that?

    --
    If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.