Water-activated portable power generator on the horizon

We've seen our fair share of diminutive power generators, but rather than worrying with vibrations or hyperventilating, Millennium Cell and Horizon Fuel Cell have teamed up to deliver an iteration that's water-activated. The pair has been working together on this technology for some time now, and apparently, it's readying a beta that will be demonstrated at next year's CES. The portable power generator incorporates a "unique water-activated cartridge system," which is designed to quietly provide clean energy to consumer products in emergencies and when far, far away from an electrical outlet. Reportedly, the device will provide an AC socket alongside two USB connectors, an operating time of over 16-hours, infinite shelf-storage life and 400-watts of instant juice by just adding H2O. Regrettably, we still have no idea what this thing actually looks like, but considering that CES is less than two months away, we'll soon be seeing what this $400 gizmo can do up close and in person.

[xianshujian @ Nov 20th 2007 10:49AM]

This has nothing to dth that crappy watch

[Anthony @ Nov 20th 2007 11:03AM]

Having troubles spamming?

[Dull @ Nov 20th 2007 10:54AM]

If they could only make something like this for boats & ships, so we wouldn't have to worry about fuel out in water.

[jpxdude @ Nov 20th 2007 11:09AM]

I'd imagine the water would have to be distilled. Can't see this immediately being good out to see.

[ethana2 @ Nov 20th 2007 4:48PM]

Water, water, everywhere...

[Justin @ Nov 20th 2007 11:09AM]

how will it react in temperatures below freezing

[Paul @ Nov 20th 2007 11:16AM]

What was that thing about water and electricity being a bad idea? Oh well!

[John @ Nov 20th 2007 11:56AM]

So is this basically a portable generator with a leak frog wired into the on/off switch?

[Eric @ Nov 21st 2007 8:44AM]

and since its "portable" it must have a modified roomba underneath it.

[Jason @ Nov 20th 2007 11:59AM]

And it costs less then those $2k visa or mastercards Fema was giving away for people to buy those nice expensive consumer electronics to be powered by this device :)

But seriously.. this would be great when I go camping heh..

[Alex @ Nov 20th 2007 12:04PM]

They mention Hydrogen cells in the article, however I would find it more likely that this is more like a dormant dry battery that becomes something like a lead/acid battery when the water is added.

Does anyone know more about this technology?

[Andrew Cooper @ Nov 20th 2007 12:05PM]

@ John - How fortuitous, its a Woot 2 for Tuesday. I am in for 2 generators.

[Andrew Cooper @ Nov 20th 2007 12:07PM]

Seems more like a stable battery, it "activates" with H20, not a generator. The water can't be supplying the energy directly, so it must be in there somewhere already. Chemical storage maybe?

[Jon @ Nov 20th 2007 12:47PM]

Who cares what it looks like. It's powered by water. If it doesn't need purified water, then what were lookin at is pretty much free energy (you'll recoup the $400 if you use it enough).

[bioadam @ Nov 20th 2007 12:50PM]

This is great because nowhere is there a shortage of water!

[Jason O @ Nov 20th 2007 1:52PM]

c'mon guys at engadget... Nowhere does it say 400 watts in the story (for 16 hours no less)... it is a culmination of 400 watt hours. So expecting a life of 16 hours, it's only averaging 25 watts over that time. Nifty toy indeed, but read the story closer please.

[Mr Bob @ Nov 20th 2007 2:19PM]

Here is more information from Millennium Cell's web site.
http://www.millenniumcell.com/fw/main/Emergency_Power-173.html

[macona @ Nov 20th 2007 2:22PM]

Water activated batteries have been around for years. Military has had them for all sorts of emergency devices. The water hydrates the electrolyte and you get electricity till the battery dies.

They probably just stuck a small inverter on the top of a pack of the batteries.

I hope the inverter section is removable though. It would suck if you had to throw the whole thing away after one use.

[Andrew Pollack @ Nov 20th 2007 8:17PM]

Sounds to me as though the water mixes with some stored chemical in the dry cartridge to produce a liquid fuel that which can be used against the fuel cell membrane. It could be some kind of hydrocarbon I suppose.

Its not a bad idea. Its very much like a web cell battery where they give you the acid in a separate container; except you're not storing the acid for later. You pour in water, and you get the solution. I doubt its as simple as just making acid that forms a wet cell battery. It probably does use fuel cell technology (e.g. a semi-permeable membrane) to produce the power.

This DOESN'T mean you're getting the energy from water. You have to have the cartridge, which sounds like its a disposable. The question will be, how much do those cartridges cost to replace? It might be nice to keep a set up like that in the car for power on demand. I doubt its really 400 sustained watts for 16 hours, but the only limit would be the amount of is in that disposable cartridge.

[skhawaja @ Nov 20th 2007 9:34PM]

does this mean we are getting CLOSER to a dry cell technology for motorized vehicles? or just for generating emergency power?

I patent this idea right now - instead of the gas station you goto the cartridge station and buy a stack of these instead :] - solid cartridges that are reusable - drop off your empties :]

[krassy @ Dec 19th 2007 2:45PM]

Current specs are:
System size: 10 X 20 X 20 (cm)
Dry weight (inc. cartridge): 1.8kg
Weight post activation: 2.6kg
Energy stored / cartridge: 400Wh
25W continuous
50W peak for 10 min. (modifiable)
1 AC socket
2 X 5V DC USB sockets

cartridge cost target: $20