Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Fuel Cell Powered Backup System

Posted by chrisd on from the wheel-one-on-over dept.

bassrat writes "Coleman just announced the world's first backup power system with Fuel Cells. Like any new technology, it's a bit pricey at $6K but the rest of the specs are pretty decent. Info at http://www.airgen.com/"

17 of 238 comments (clear)

  1. This is just hilarious... by pVoid · · Score: 5, Funny
    Imagine... A machine that inhales oxygen, combines with hydrogen and exhales electricity.

    While it sounds like science fiction, fuel cell technology is now readily available to industrial users!

    I mean, first thing I think of when I hear "imagine a machine that inhales oxygen" is piles of passed out sysadmins in the server room floor.

  2. Look at the geek factor though! by Cali+Thalen · · Score: 5, Funny

    I mean...what true geek woudn't feel proud to have a backup system in his house with a real potential to spontaneously explode (even if the chances are nil).

    --
    Chaos, panic, disorder...my work here is done.
    1. Re:Look at the geek factor though! by blancolioni · · Score: 2, Funny

      a real potential to spontaneously explode (even if the chances are nil).

      Real potentials must be different in your land.

  3. Could you hook this by nizcolas · · Score: 1, Funny

    up to a respirator, and have the respirator power the fuel cell, and have the fuel cell power from the respirator, and have the... this proposition makes my brain bleed.

    --
    If you get an error, type "OVERRIDE" or "SECURITY OVERRIDE" and then try the optimize command again.
  4. If it ran off methane... by Wampus+Aurelius · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...you would have an unlimited supply of fuel. Just make sure to bring along a good supply of beans for your camping trip, and you're set!

    1. Re:If it ran off methane... by GimmeFuel · · Score: 2, Funny

      You don't need beans, you need cows. The cows produce the methane, which would generate electricity and power the servers. And then since you have so many cows, start a dairy business on the side. Google Milk anyone?

      --
      live(free) || die;
  5. price by newsdee · · Score: 3, Funny

    Maybe the price will go down once the technology is mainstream and the cells are mass-produced.

    Of course this means that they have to come with some sort of standard... let's hope they don't hand the task to the DVD guys...

    --
    The ENIAC Demo Competition
  6. I beg to differ... by 3-State+Bit · · Score: 5, Funny

    Like any new technology, it's a bit pricey at $6K.

    Bullshit! I can think of lots of new technologies that would be a bargain at twice the price!

    (rimshot)

    Wait! Don't leave! I have more...

    A-hem.

    From the page:

    "Imagine... A machine that inhales oxygen, combines with hydrogen and exhales electricity.

    While it sounds like science fiction, fuel cell technology is now readily available to industrial users!"

    Okay, now let me try:
    Imagine... A machine that inhales oxygen, combines with [anything flammable] and exhales [any carrier of work].

    Sound like science fiction? Think again, this so-called "combustion engine" will revolutionize...

    wait! wait!

    Don't leave.

    I have more.

    Okay, watch:

    How do you back up data during a power outage?

    Put it in reverse! {rimshot}
    (i.e. have your backup solution produce energy instead of using it, thereby turning back the direction of time in much the same way that backing up the wrong way down a one-way road --

    Wait! Don't leave!

    I have a parenthesis to close:
    )

    There.
    Uhm, yeah.

    Seriously though.
    And here I put on my insightful hat.

    This could be great in hospitals!

  7. Re:how bad of a repost can we get by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny
    Yes, but back in January it cost $8,000.

    Now it's $6,000. It's getting there.

  8. Called me when they've perfected ... by burgburgburg · · Score: 5, Funny
    dilithium crystals.

    Anything less is simply a stop-gap measure, not worth exploring.

  9. FedEx by CySurflex · · Score: 4, Funny

    In a move aimed at stifflings UPS's competitive advantage in the backup power supply market, FedEx invested $2B in this new Fuel Cell technology.

  10. It's not you, it's.... by DrewCapu · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wife: Oh honey, you take my breath away.
    Husband: No, dear. It's our new Fuel Cell Powered Backup System. I think we just had a blackout.

  11. H20 , NOT H2 by katalyst · · Score: 3, Funny

    This idea has been floating around for some time, and it is nice to see it being actually implemented. (Even GM's Hy-wire car uses fuel cells). IMO, this technology hasn't matured as yet, and I will NOT consider it matured till the day these cells will run on WATER itself and NOT hydrogen. More than 70% of the world is covered by water, can you imagine how much energy we have, potentially ???
    I must admit though , I can imagine nomads in the deserts running their water powered buggies and then stopping for a drink from their buggie's fuel(water) tank !!!!!!

    --
    |/________
    |\A|ALYS|
  12. What is missing from the posts so far.. by teamhasnoi · · Score: 5, Funny
    The tech is *available*! I could go and buy it, if 6,000 dollars seemed like a good trade off for what this does. Admittedly, it doesn't. A UPS or a internal combustion generator will do the same for much less.

    If I could pour water in this thing and have it make hydrogen for itself, that might increase its usefulness.

    Or if I hooked up a dehumidifier to it, and put it on top so the water would run into the fuel making tank....OMG!

    I've just invented a Perpetual Motion machine!

    Of course, having water around servers and switches makes for the Worlds Most Dangerous Server Room and many headaches...so maybe I've invented the Perpetual Motrin Machine.

  13. Poor advertising shots by A+non+moose+cow · · Score: 4, Funny

    Given the uneasiness that people have about hydrogen canisters and potential explosions, does anyone else think it is a bit odd that the promo shots feature exploding "Coming Soon!" signs?

    Maybe they are just trying to be prophetic.

  14. Coleman Fuel Cell by ShawnD · · Score: 2, Funny
    Do you have to pump it 'til your thumb is blue before it will start? Does it shoot out 6 ft flames when it is first started?

    Memories of Colman lanterns and stoves.

  15. Hydrogen from water! by jolshefsky · · Score: 5, Funny
    Best of all you can get hydrogen for free from ordinary water. See this science kit!

    All you need to do is plug it in and you're all set. In fact, you could even plug it into the output of the device and get it to run forever*.

    * Void where prohibited by thermodynamic laws.

    --
    --- Jason Olshefsky

    Karma: Poser (mostly affected by adding this line long after everyone else did)