MIT Produces Electricity Using Thermopower Waves

Posted by Soulskill on Monday March 8, 2010 @06:55AM from the set-on-fire-to-begin-current-flow dept.

MikeChino writes "MIT scientists have discovered a never-before-known phenomenon wherein carbon nanotubes can be used to harness energy from 'thermopower waves.' To do this they coated the nanotubes with a reactive fuel and then lit one end, causing a fast-moving thermal wave to speed down the length of the tube. The heat from the fuel rises to a temperature of 3,000 kelvins, and can speed along the tube 10,000 times faster than the normal spread of this chemical reaction. The heat also pushes electrons down the tube, which creates a substantial electrical current. The system can output energy (in proportion to its weight) about 100x greater than an equivalent weight lithium-ion battery, and according to MIT the discovery 'opens up a new area of energy research, which is rare.'"

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So basically they cut out the middleman by Shadow+of+Eternity · 2010-03-08 07:00 · Score: 4, Funny

Instead of having a Lion battery that explodes we now have a deliberately exploding battery.

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A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."
1. Re:So basically they cut out the middleman by Hurricane78 · 2010-03-08 14:50 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Bah. My Lion battery still eats your puny Zebra batteries for dinner!
  
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  Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
Re:Link to the Nature Materials article by garg0yle · 2010-03-08 07:24 · Score: 4, Funny

Yeah, I doubt that I'm gonna be able to bring a laptop on a plane with RDX in its battery...

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Modding "-1, Troll" is not a proper response if you disagree with me. Try reason.
Re:That's some hot stuff... by BranMan · 2010-03-08 10:17 · Score: 3, Funny

With really REALLY small paintbrushes