Methanol fuel cells could power robot limbs

Researchers have successfully created artificial muscles powered by methanol rather than batteries, opening the door to the possibility of fuel-cell powered artificial limbs that could be used both as prosthetics and in robots. Among the techniques being used is a system that relies on a combination of methanol, hydrogen and oxygen gases that warm wires, causing them to contract. By regulating the flow of fuel, the expanding and contracting wire could be used to control the movement of an artificial limb. And the source of the fuel could come from some surprising places, according to one nanotechnologist: "One day you could find yourself sitting in a bar next to a humanoid robot, who is taking a shot of vodka to give himself the energy to go to work," said Ray Baughman, of the University of Texas at Dallas. If that's the case, we assume it won't be long until we see robots panhandling on street corners, chugging 40s in parking lots and building homemade stills out of their own spare parts, just to give themselves one more boost of energy.

[Skyler @ Mar 17th 2006 11:37PM]

Haha, I saw this coming... Just like Bender.

[Daniel @ Mar 18th 2006 12:17AM]

Methanol (wood alcohol) is toxic.
Ethanol (grain alcohol) is what is found in alcoholic beverages.

[Maurice Avery @ Mar 18th 2006 5:58AM]

Yay Bender!!!!!!!!

Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Bender is our hero.
Yea yea yea yeah!!!!!!!!!
Yea yea yea yeah!!!!!!!!!

[lettcco @ Mar 18th 2006 7:01AM]

Bite my shiny metal @$$!

[Jake @ Mar 18th 2006 8:50AM]

Bring back futurama!~

[Matt C. @ Mar 18th 2006 9:30AM]

They are bringing futurama back though...

[Alexandre Donzel @ Mar 18th 2006 5:27PM]

all hail david x cohen and matt groening, who foresaw the coming of alcoholic robots.
and all hail to our future alcoholic masters ;)

[Gary Ansorge @ Mar 19th 2006 11:16AM]

daniel:

Methanol(C2H4OH) is the preferred fuel for fuel cells. Ethanol ( C2H5OH) is the preferred fuel for organics. Either can provide energy to the ingester, it's just that methanol is toxic to carbon based life forms. Fortunately, Bender is silicon based,,,

[European Vacation @ Mar 19th 2006 6:26PM]

That very cool.

[clode @ Jul 16th 2006 8:39PM]

old mickdonnald had a farm e i e i o

[clode @ Jul 17th 2006 12:33AM]

Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water dont know what they did up their but now the have a daughter