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Diamonds Are a Fuel Cell's Best Friend

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the pretty-much-have-to dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "Researchers at UC Davis have used nanocrystals made of diamond-like cubic zirconia to develop cooler fuel cells. Even if hydrogen fuel cells have been touted as clean energy sources, current fuel cells have to run at high temperatures of up to 1,000 C. This new technology will allow fuel cells to run at much lower temperatures, between 50 and 100 C. Obviously, this could lead to a widespread use of fuel cells, which could become a realistic alternative power source for vehicles. The researchers have applied for a patent for their technology, but don't tell when fuel cells based on their work are about to appear."

12 of 210 comments (clear)

  1. great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now my girlfriend will be begging for a new car in stead of a ring, thnx alot..

    1. Re:great by Selfbain · · Score: 5, Funny

      And a divorce when she discovers they're cubic zirconias.

      --
      Well, it has never been successfully tested.
    2. Re:great by ttapper04 · · Score: 5, Funny

      First post on slashdot... girlfriend.... Who are you trying to fool?

    3. Re:great by cayenne8 · · Score: 3, Funny
      "Why don't you give her a cubic zirconia ring instead of a diamond. The thread title says it's the same as diamond."

      We'll know that is true as soon as DeBeers tries to corner the market in CZ, or even fuel cells.

      :-)

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  2. Uh-oh by Etrias · · Score: 3, Funny

    Look to DeBeers to rush in and kill this technology. God forbid we have a car that has a CZ solution when only a real diamond can cool forever.

    1. Re:Uh-oh by HTTP+Error+403+403.9 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Look to DeBeers to rush in and kill this technology. God forbid we have a car that has a CZ solution when only a real diamond can cool forever.
      What does a Chicago football team have anything to do with diamonds?
      --
      I'm not a Troll, it's reverse psychology.
    2. Re:Uh-oh by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 4, Funny

      I searched for images of 'Cubic Zirconia hardness cleavage' and it wasn't what I expected.

      --
      "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
  3. Wonderful. by jshriverWVU · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now when people break into my car they wont be after my stereo, but my fuel tank. :)

    1. Re:Wonderful. by Tumbleweed · · Score: 4, Funny

      I think, with current gas prices vs. price of cubic zirconia, you're fuel is in greater danger now than with fuel cells made using this technology.

      Just make sure you don't leave an ink jet cartridge in your car in plain view of passers by.

  4. Your fuel cell is going to be pissed... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...when she finds out you duped her with a cubic zirconia. You better hope theres no free hydrogen around when she finds out.

  5. Cooler... by ajs · · Score: 4, Funny

    I guess the most significant problem with fuel cells was that they just weren't cool enough... this should improve their "oooh" factor. ;-)

  6. When by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    The researchers have applied for a patent for their technology, but don't tell when fuel cells based on their work are about to appear." They are going to be installed in the new flying cars that they're coming out with.