Posted on 06/25/2004 5:53:36 AM PDT by avg_freeper
A tiny prototype fuel cell the size of a thumb has been developed by Toshiba.
The Japanese electronics giant said the methanol fuel cell could power a gadgets such as a digital music player for 20 hours.
Fuel cells generate electrical power by catalysing substances such as hydrogen and methanol.
Toshiba hopes that by 2005, the fuel cells could be used in handheld electronic devices instead of lithium-ion batteries.
Size matters
Fuel cells have been touted as a green power source for the future as they produce electricity by converting hydrogen and oxygen into water. Many companies are working on developing the technology that could replace conventional batteries.
The main obstacle has been making the cells small and inexpensive.
The prototype developed by Toshiba measures 22 millimetres by 45 millimetres (0.88 inches by 1.80 inches) and weighs 8.5 grams (0.29 ounces).
It works by mixing methanol with air and water to produce 100 milliwatts of electricity, which the company says is enough to power a MP3 player for about 20 hours on a single charge of methanol fuel.
Last year Toshiba unveiled a prototype fuel cell designed for future laptops, while rival NEC produced a notebook powered by a built-in fuel cell.
Toshiba expects its tiny fuel cell will go on sale in 2005.
It comes out as CO2 - something that gets downplayed of course. The greenies just can't seem to win - their beloved fuel cells produce "global warming" gases, windmills are an eyesore and kill birds, hydro dams up rivers... There just isn't any free lunch.
Here's a great reference on the direct methanol fuel cell chemical reaction.
That Link is a great reference.
I didn't know there were so many different types of Fuel Cells.
You were wrong.
You would probably lump me in with "one of those", but you'd be off the mark.
Then what are you arguing about?
With that said, I think micro fuel cells have a lot of potential. I hope they pan out.
Good. That's all you had to say in the first place.
Glad to be of service.
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