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Enzyme Bio-Battery Runs on Ethanol

Posted by chrisd on from the douglas-adams-was-right dept.

mpthompson writes "According to this article at New Scientist.com substantial progress is being made on enzyme-catalyzed ethanol based batteries to run cell phones and laptops. Such batteries promise to be cheaper, safer and less toxic than previously demonstrated methanol based fuel cells."

3 of 196 comments (clear)

  1. Re:use hydrogen fuel cells by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Nuclear Power Plants - a very clean source of electricity.
    As long as "clean" is redefined as "generates huge quantities of enormously dangerouas waste that we have no way to get rid of", you're right.

    Also, nuclear power is incredibly expensive.

    Other than that, good idea.
  2. A possible end to crop subsidies? by Bonker · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Man, it would be really great if you could walk into a grocerie store and buy 'Ethanol Packets' next to the Duracells, Energizers, and Ray-o-Vacs.

    No, not to drink, you lushes. It would mean that there would be a new demand for vegetable crops, Corn in particular. While the DoA is one of the most corrupt branches of our government, one can't help but think that a new demand for corn in the form of a non-perishable liquid would cut the amount of money currently being used for subsidies.

    An ethanol economy is not quite as desirable as a hyrdrogen economy, but it can still be very good.

    --
    The next Slashdot story will be ready soon, but subscribers can beat the rush and slashdot the links early!
  3. Drink your batteries, get the shits... by iiioxx · · Score: 4, Insightful

    All non-regulated (as in BATF) ethanol is required by law to be denatured. There are two types of denaturing: complete and specical. Complete adds 5% methanol, rendering the mixture toxic for human consumption. Special denaturing adds a non-toxic additive to render the alcohol undrinkable. This is often done by adding phenopthalein, which (aside from being a pH indicator) is a powerful laxative. Drinking it will cause "severe gastrointestinal distress". Most consumer applications (like rubbing alcohol) use special denaturing (so they don't kill stupid alcoholics).

    Just FYI for anyone thinking about using your laptop as a wetbar.