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Fuel Cell Developer Claims Methanol Advance
EE Times via Information Week ^ | 8/24/05 | No author attributed

Posted on 08/23/2005 11:38:19 PM PDT by NickatNite2003

WASHINGTON — A fuel cell developer is claiming twice the power density of lithium batteries in a new methanol fuel cell for mobile gear.

UltraCell Corp. (Livermore, Calif.) said Tuesday (Aug. 23) its reformed methanol fuel cell scheme uses "micro reformer" technology developed under a military contract to generate hydrogen from a highly concentrated methanol solution used in fuel cells.

UltraCell said its portable power system achieves the power density of a hydrogen fuel cell while using cheap methanol fuel. The unit weighs 40 ounces, the company said.

The micro reformer technology was developed under a U.S. Army contract. An early system provided 45 watts of continuous power, UltraCell said.

(Excerpt) Read more at informationweek.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: advance; energy; fuelcell; methanol
Fine! Now make one the size of a suitcase that can deliver 5KW continuously, as long as it has fuel.
1 posted on 08/23/2005 11:38:20 PM PDT by NickatNite2003
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To: NickatNite2003

Shoot! I'll take one of the 40 ouncers at 45 watts - heck, I wonder if you can parallel them???


2 posted on 08/23/2005 11:55:36 PM PDT by clee1 (We use 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 2 to pull a trigger. I'm lazy and I'm tired of smiling.)
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To: NickatNite2003

How long can it deliver the power? Is this a starting point or an end point?


3 posted on 08/24/2005 3:06:09 AM PDT by Recon Dad
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To: NickatNite2003

These were designed to replace small batteries including laptops. Their life, per refill, is about the same as a laptop battery. Cost, right now is another issue, but they are definitely the future of portable power.


4 posted on 08/24/2005 3:58:00 AM PDT by KeyWest
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To: KeyWest

My reading of the article, seems to
put forth that they last twice as long
as current Laptop batteries.


5 posted on 08/24/2005 6:22:28 AM PDT by NickatNite2003
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To: NickatNite2003

BFLR = Bump for later reading.


6 posted on 08/24/2005 5:39:48 PM PDT by Kevin OMalley (No, not Freeper#95235, Freeper #1165: Charter member, What Was My Login Club.)
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