Fuel-cell powered devices getting closer

November 30th, 2008 By DIRK LAMMERS , AP Energy Writer

(AP) -- Laptop, cell phone and iPod owners tired of having their devices run out of charge after a few hours have been patiently waiting for the next portable power source to arrive.

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• Bob_Kob - Nov 30, 2008
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  Im still mixed about this, youre gaining chemical energy from the liquid (or hydrogen gas) which i always though would have a lower energy density than those found in batteries. Nonetheless portable sources of high density power are the keys to unlocking tomorrows great technologies.
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• Ausjin - Nov 30, 2008
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  I am curious why people look at this as a replacement for batteries. I would like to see fuel cells being used as a back up rather than a main power supply. I like being able to just get power from the wall, and store it in a battery that can run for a while. Then, if I know I will need extended use between charges, or I just happen to have power run out, have the device start taking power from a fuel cell already in the device, or replace the spent battery with a fuel cell until I can get the battery charged again. That way, devices can still be powered as cheaply as they are now, while taking advantage of the extended life fuel cells can offer.
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• dan42day - Nov 30, 2008
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  Bob_Kob
  Consider this. A fuel cell is like a jet engine that carries along hydrocarbons to react with environmentally available oxygen for energy. A battery must carry the full weight of it's reactants just like a rocket. In the case of hydrocarbons, you end up with your reactants converted to some mix of h2o and co2. Since oxygen is about 16 time as heavy as hydrogen and 30% heavier than carbon, it takes about 10lbs of oxygen to react with 1lb of fuel. this weight savings alone makes fuel cells more efficient for use in the atmosphere.
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• enantiomer2000 - Dec 01, 2008
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  "with refill cartridges retailing for $1 to $3..."
  
  Pass. I don't want somebody grabbing me by the short-hairs selling me razor cartridges. I will wait for something that doesn't rob me blind in the name of convenience. Nice try though.
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• Bob_Kob - Dec 01, 2008
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  >dan42day
  
  Yeah, im guessing thats one of the major issues with heavy batteries.
  
  "Pass. I don't want somebody grabbing me by the short-hairs selling me razor cartridges. I will wait for something that doesn't rob me blind in the name of convenience. Nice try though."
  
  Im sure plug in electrolysis refilling units will be sold so you can refill your devices cheaply.
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• lengould100 - Dec 01, 2008
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  Another stupid gadget. With all transportation trying to move from liquid fuels to batteries, here along comes a "great concept" to move a job which already works just fine on batteries at least 99% of the time, onto liquid fuels.
  
  Not the brightest bulbs, for sure. If your shedule is soo tight that you can't survive without a laptop running all the time, then shoot yourself. Please.
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• lengould100 - Dec 01, 2008
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  (Actually, it would be your boss's schedule, because no-one with a choice would live a life like that.)
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• E_L_Earnhardt - Dec 01, 2008
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  The electrons you seek are associated with atoms. Does it matter if you replinish the atoms
  stocked with new electrons as opposed to replacing the electrons on the same atoms?
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• lengould100 - Dec 10, 2008
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  Vulvox has begun experiments on lithium ion batteries with unprecedented energy storage capacity; 42 kwh/kg.
  

  
  
  That must be quite the battery technology, given that Toyota is hoping to get a total of 25 kwh of battery into their first plug-hybrid auto...
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