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Microgenerators Coming Soon to Electronics Near You

Posted by michael on from the kickstart-your-cellphone dept.

fygment writes "A new microgenerator developed at Georgia Tech can now produce enough power to run a small electronic device, like a cell phone, and may soon be able to power a laptop. The microgenerator is about 10 millimeters wide, or about the size of a dime. When coupled with a similarly sized gas-fueled microturbine (or jet) engine, the system, called a microengine, has the potential to deliver more energy and last 10 times longer than a conventional battery. This is still just a quarter of the problem. A turbine is still being developed to turn the generator and that will require fuel and storage of some kind."

9 of 254 comments (clear)

  1. Steam? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Welcome to the age of steam powered laptops!

  2. Size by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    The microgenerator is about 10 millimeters wide
    Or "one centimeter" as we say in English.
  3. Don't drop it by shiba_mac · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can see MP3 players of the future becoming like cars in the movies. Drop it, and watch the spectacular explosion as all the fuel goes up.

    1. Re:Don't drop it by AndroidCat · · Score: 4, Funny
      Just the thing when the RIAA comes a-calling.

      Now you might be asking yourself: Did he play five hours of music or six? .."

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  4. The perfect "turbine" is... by bshroyer · · Score: 4, Funny

    A turbine is still being developed to turn the generator and that will require fuel and storage of some kind.

    Think outside the box. You've got a 10mm generator, but no way to turn it...

    Hamsters! They're cheap and portable. They're a renewable resource. They generate very little excess heat. Their fuel source is available almost anywhere, is non-toxic, and doesn't explode.

    Just picture it, the whole world over, millions of laptops, and on top of each screen a hamster in a cage. This is the face of technological improvement.

    --
    The cure for cancer is coming: Reovirus
    1. Re:The perfect "turbine" is... by otuz · · Score: 5, Funny

      Microturbines, on the other hand won't crap all over the place.

  5. Re:No thanks. by Sai+Babu · · Score: 4, Funny



    Who says the turbine has to be powered by fossil fuel? It could be a hydro turbine with penstock attached to your dick. Or perhaps methane powered with a hose stuffed in your ass. Vegans are known for producing copious quantities of methane.

    .Other methane sources include your composting latrine, port to cows stomach, and even composting of dead cats

    .

    --
    Now I'm the grandest Tiger in the Jungle!
  6. A hamster in a wheel? by Maljin+Jolt · · Score: 4, Funny
    Or perhaps a micro steam engine could be used till the turbine one is fully developed...

    Just imagine:
    >dmesg
    cdrecord: cannot burn dvd,code=72,reason=coal buffer empty
    ACPI: hamster in sleep mode on CPU3, processor offline
    kernel panic: /dev/hda water tank overflow occurs, fsck recommended
    --
    There you are, staring at me again.
  7. This WARNING label on gaming notebooks recommends: by flowerp · · Score: 4, Funny

    To power the new Radeon Mobility X800 graphics card, your laptop will enable the afterburner. This will inject kerosene into the exhaust jet to provide additional power to the generator. Please keep the laptop away from combustible materials for your own safety. During operation, you should wear noise protection earmuffs and keep a fire extinguisher handy. Turbine blades must be inspected by your closest General Electric Turbines facility each 10,000 hours of operation. Only use unleaded JET A1 fuel. DANGER: Avoid jet blast! Do not obstruct the air intake or data loss may occur.

    --
    --- Eat my sig.