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Fuel Cells for Laptop Computers

Posted by Hemos on from the interesting-ideas dept.

ArbiterOne writes "An article in PC World states that the company MTI Micro Fuel Cells plans to demonstrate a new technology this week that could pave the way for better power technology for laptop and palmtop computers. The article claims that this new technology could provide a battery life 2.5 times greater than that of a lithium-ion battery. Could this be the solution to the problem of short battery life in high-end notebooks?"

6 of 266 comments (clear)

  1. At long last. by LEgregius · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As long as the laptop designers don't suddenly think that having more power means they can put components that use 2.5 times the power.

    1. Re:At long last. by Scoria · · Score: 5, Insightful

      A good amount of incredulity is necessary here. Remember that Lithium Ion batteries themselves were once supposedly capable of eliminating the "memory" effect and providing almost infinite battery lives. Then, of course, they were released, and the hyperbole was proven incorrect.

      --
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  2. Re:The nice thing about "normal" batteries... by rosewood · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I figured these things were easily re-chargeable. If not, wtf is the point?

    I dont think you have to pack little hydrogen pairs in there...

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  3. TCO? by Spaceman40 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Lithium-Ion batteries only last so long before you have to replace them completely - I wonder if they can get these to be cheap enough to be economically competitive towards the other batteries.

    If they last longer, and the cost-per-hour of use turns out to be cheaper...

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  4. Should be plenty of open bars and liquor stores... by neurocutie · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The nice thing about "normal" batteries is that I can go to my hotel room and recharge them. The last thing I need to be doing is wandering around vegas at three in the morning trying to find some hydrogen to power my notebook for the big presentation in the morning.
    It should be possible to make a fuel cell that accepts ethanol as well as methanol... Plenty of places to get gin or vodka in Vegas at 3am...
  5. Fuel cell hype by Animats · · Score: 5, Insightful
    When you read articles about fuel cells, note that some of these outfits don't have refueling worked out. Some are talking about "disposable" fuel cells.

    "Disposable" fuel cells have to be compared against primary batteries, not rechargeable ones. Rechargable batteries typically have about half the energy density of primary batteries. So claiming a 2.5x improvement in battery life for a nonrechargeable system is not a win.

    Ballard is further along than anybody else in larger fuel cells. Even they don't have much more than prototypes. Their attempt to market a fuel cell under the Coleman brand was a failure. The Coleman Powermate was launched with great fanfare in 2002, and never shipped. It's not clear what's wrong at Ballard. Their 1KW units should be providing backup power for cell phone sites and such, but it isn't happening.

    Ballard uses hydrogen in their fuel cells. Despite all the hype about the "hydrogen economy", Praxair, which sells hydrogen for fuel cells, has this to say:

    • Clean burning and not considered an atmospheric pollutant, hydrogen is fast becoming the energy source of the future. Questions regarding cost, safety and infrastructure, however, need answers before hydrogen-fueled engines go into wide use.

      Fuel cell grade hydrogen is specifically designed to be used as a fuel in fuel cell applications. It contains extremely low levels of impurities (e.g. ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur compounds) that can harm the catalyst-coated membranes inside the fuel cell.

      It is supplied in high-pressure cylinders and can only be used by industrial customers, like factories, laboratories, universities, and military and government installations. Typically, industrial customers already use compressed gases as part of their daily activities. Its use requires adequate ventilation and/or monitoring systems appropriate to the size of the location, helping ensure the safety of personnel when non-air gases are present.