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Toshiba Develops World's Smallest Fuel Cells
An anonymous reader writes "When you think of Toshiba, you might think of notebooks, but fuel cells? Never. Well, at least not until up to now. Toshiba claims to have made the world's smallest fuel cell to date. The direct methanol fuel cell can fit inside of the smallest of gadgets, ranging from MP3 Players to portal DVD Players. Most fuel cells require a pump that can mix the methanol and water, and a fan to help cool the pump. This makes installing fuel cells in smaller items out of the question. However, Toshiba's new fuel cell does not require a fan or a pump to operate, which means it's much smaller in size, and can be installed in almost any small device."
since the battery is their weakest link.
Wonder how long it takes when we see iPod or iRiver or other hard-drive based players with cell inside.
It's already 8.5 grams for 100 mw and lasts 20 hours? 235Wh/kg - that's already better than some of the best batteries out there (say, Zinc-air, at 200). I'm impressed. Of course, the power density (11.7 W/kg) leaves something to be desired... (even your weakest chemical batteries will give you at least 80 W/kg (say, Zinc bromide)). Here's to them getting better. :)
;)
Only 2cc (ml) of methanol in that? That means that only 1.58 grams of it are the methanol. All I can say is, "wow". If you were to double the mass of this fuel cell by adding only a fuel tank (assuming the weight of the tank is negligable), you should be able to get 139 hours (1.635 kWh/kg) out of it (!). I could live with that
I just invaded Grammar Czechoslovakia and duped Grammar Neville Chamberlain; now it's on to Grammar Poland.
People freak out when you talk about methanol fuel cells, but then forget the mini bottles of liquor on the airplane's drink cart have just an much alcohol. Those people probably wouldn't think twice about carrying around 1L bottles of 151 proof rum or 190 proof grain alcohol.