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Toshiba To Show Laptop Fuel Cells at CeBit
war3rd writes "According to The Register, Toshiba has finally been able to build a fuel cell for laptops that they will unveil at CeBit next week. The fuel cells are expected to last approximately 5 hours and are compatible with existing lithium-ion batteries. Form factor remains the only issue. The trick is that they use the water by-product from the cell to dilute the methanol source as it enters the reformer, and are therefore able to store higher concentrations of methanol in the cell. My only concern is how quickly can they get this to market?"
Finally we'll have a PC that can last as long as an iBook without needing mains power :-)
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hehehehe that makes me smile
Ignore the "p2p is theft" trolls, they're just uninformed
If you want a fuel cell to be practically usable, you should make it run on 40% Ethanol, 60% water. That way, there is a commonly available fuel (Vodka) which can be easily purchased most everywhere in the US (outside Mormonstan at least).
If you can make the fuel cell deal with more impurities, you could also use Whiskey or Tequila or similar distilled spirits.
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Make it run on atmospheric methane, and install a pay-per-use WAP in every Taco Bell.
It'll like be like printing your own money!
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
Ah yes, this will definitely get your through airport security?
Rent-a-Cop: "Sir, you wouldn't happen to have a explosive gas in that laptop would you?"
Slashdot-Geek: "Uh, no, duh -- it's a fuel cell laptop."
Rent-a-Cop: "Riiiiiigggghhhhhtttttttttttt. Please come with me."
Why do the chemists and chemical engineers keep coming up with such volitile compounds -- why can't we start fueling devices out of garbage like that dude on back to the future?
I could be wrong --
"This isn't a study in computer science, its a study in human behavior"
>> smoking thier laptop for it's menthol? lord knows i would
Go for it! I'll start preparing your Darwin Award nomination now.
(Methanol will kill you dead, AFAIK)
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
A technology that lasts about the same time as a battery and will label you a terrorist when you board an airplane. Can't wait until these are out either.
Good call! We'd finally have a good reason to steal the ethanol out of chem lab ;-)
Coding under the influence.
Honest officer I was just fueling my laptop.
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..actually, one can of methanol and one of beer wouldn't be bad. As long as you remember which tube is which.
Life is like surrealism: if you have to have it explained to you, you can't afford it.
you're new here, aren't you?
Hostes alienigieni me abduxerunt. Qui annus est?
Just remember that these battery packs are for fueling your computer, not for drinking them like alcohol and then getting drunk with them...
guess that's why they say "never drink your laptop battery!" ba dum bum!
speaking of drinking laptop batteries as a substitute for alcohol, could I get another? ooh.. where do I come up with this stuff, I'm funnier than ALF
slashdot: where everyone yells sarcastic metaphors to themselves to understand the issue
It would be more suitable for most of the executives I work with. They could top it off from the mini-bar.
Just needs to be re-routed to the single cup USB enabled coffee maker.
now you will really be able to write explode virus.
Let's get this back on topic. Realistically, can you really hijack a plane using a laptop fuel cell? "Everybody down, or I'm gonna bust this cell open, let the methanol evaporate for 20 minutes, and then light it, making a 'pop' noise that may be quite loud!". I think not. Of course, that's not to say that overzealous security standards won't let them on anyway, but I don't think they're a realistic threat to airline safety.
Karma: pi (Mostly due to circular reasoning in posts).
..so i should add "fuel cell refill" to my spam-filter already you think ?
Blue Schnapps Over Drambuie?