well thay take small amounts of H2O and split it into hydrogen and oxygen(in effect charging it)..... then over the next 60 hours they combine it back together and get the energy back....... probably to charge an internal battery for voltage stabilization and whatnot......
There are a few different fuel cell types. MTI uses a direct methanol fuel cell that converts methanol (not water) into electrical energy. The main byproducts are water and CO2. It's a bit like a battery in terms of chemistry, but different. Note that a big distinction is that fuel cells require a fuel (such as methanol) when it is depleted, rather than electrical recharging like a Li-ion battery.
I'm attending the conference right now, lots of interesting stuff with the likes of Sony, Samsung and Motorola talking about their work in the area. Sony's talk was probably the most interesting of the bunch, very cool stuff.
It's interesting to see MTI compare energy with their fuel cell against a GPS powered by 4 AA batteries. Does anybody make a GPS powered with AA batteries? Sounds like an iffy comparison, I want to see it stand up against a rechargeable Li-ion like my GPS (and every other one?) has.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ysleiro @ May 2nd 2008 12:52PM
How the heck does this micro fuel cell tech work?
Can anybody explain it in a nutshell?
I hope its not like bio fuels. Otherwise its just another hell on earth.
taylor g @ May 2nd 2008 1:23PM
well thay take small amounts of H2O and split it into hydrogen and oxygen(in effect charging it).....
then over the next 60 hours they combine it back together and get the energy back.......
probably to charge an internal battery for voltage stabilization and whatnot......
this has tons more info to start with
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell
mrpoo @ May 2nd 2008 1:35PM
There are a few different fuel cell types. MTI uses a direct methanol fuel cell that converts methanol (not water) into electrical energy. The main byproducts are water and CO2. It's a bit like a battery in terms of chemistry, but different. Note that a big distinction is that fuel cells require a fuel (such as methanol) when it is depleted, rather than electrical recharging like a Li-ion battery.
I'm attending the conference right now, lots of interesting stuff with the likes of Sony, Samsung and Motorola talking about their work in the area. Sony's talk was probably the most interesting of the bunch, very cool stuff.
It's interesting to see MTI compare energy with their fuel cell against a GPS powered by 4 AA batteries. Does anybody make a GPS powered with AA batteries? Sounds like an iffy comparison, I want to see it stand up against a rechargeable Li-ion like my GPS (and every other one?) has.
Ysleiro @ May 2nd 2008 1:48PM
Thanx guys. I'm so much smarter now. :o)