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Microbes Pass Valuable Gas

Posted by michael on from the tiny-bubbles dept.

inimicus writes "Wired reports: 'With a reliable source of hydrogen, fuel cells can produce energy with water as the only byproduct.' The good news is that there's a functional prototype (measuring 0.7 square centimeters and less than 1 millimeter thick) that produces 1 microwatt of power -- approximately enough to power a digital wristwatch. Personally, I'm intrigued by the concept of powering my laptop with sugar-water..."

7 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. Passing gas powers devices? by mnmn · · Score: 1, Funny

    There are simply too many possible jokes to be made for this, but it would be nice to pour sugar into your gas tank and drive till the next utility store.

    Couple this with cold fusion and you have germs passing gas and powering entire cities.

    --
    "Give orange me give eat orange me eat orange give me eat orange give me you." -Nim Chimpsky
  2. I just can't resist... by Ioldanach · · Score: 2, Funny
    I can just see myself in 15 years carrying around a laptop with a bacterial battery. "Oops, power's low, must be time to feed the laptop."

    Of course, when the battery dies, it really dies.

    1. Re:I just can't resist... by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Funny

      "Of course, when the battery dies, it really dies. "

      If my experience with a Tomogatchi is any indication, this technology will be a moneypit.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    2. Re:I just can't resist... by dbrutus · · Score: 2, Funny

      According to the article, they're thinking about using this for implantable devices like pacemakers. Imagine the consequence of too little sugar in the bloodstream then. "I'm dying for a snicker's bar" indeed. B-)

  3. Sugar Water by j-turkey · · Score: 2, Funny
    Personally, I'm intrigued by the concept of powering my laptop with sugar-water...

    Why not -- I'm sure that when in coding-mode, most of us are already powered by sugar-water (insert favorite carbonated high-fructose corn syrup based beverage).

    --turkey
    --

    -Turkey

  4. Overclocking by bassburner · · Score: 2, Funny

    So if you wanted to overclock could you just dump in one of those giant Pixie Stix?

  5. Lego my Jolt! by QuantumWeasel · · Score: 2, Funny

    No way, man. Let those fuel cells run on vodka . But keep yer mits off my Jolt! I do not want to have to choose between feeding my laptop and feeding my aqueous caffeinated sucrouse habit. It won't be pretty! So just back away from the Jolt, ok?