MTI Micro, NeoSolar to tinker with fuel cell-powered UMPCs

We'll be mighty pleased when MTI Micro gets off its high horse and actually delivers something to the consumer electronics realm, but for now, we're being forced to inhale even more fluff as we wait for an end product. The latest outfit to dive into a partnership with MTI is NeoSolar, as the two gleefully set off to develop Mobion fuel cell technology for use in future NeoSolar devices (namely UMPCs). As we've heard so many times over now, these two will be working together to "develop, test, and evaluate" prototypes, but we'll be lucky to see a fuel cell-powered WiBrain before 2020. Prove us wrong, pretty please.

[Via CNET]

[Dillon @ Jul 10th 2008 2:34PM]

Why the hell are people pushing this technology? Clearly, we won't have enough fossil fuels to run all this crap, and if we make synthetic ones, it will be expensive as hell. I thought the whole point was to make the world cleaner. And even though they say they can use Hydrogen, that is not the answer. What's wrong with researching extremely efficient batteries instead?

[BradS @ Jul 10th 2008 2:47PM]

These things run on methanol (wood alcohol, the stuff in windshield wiper fluid) which is cheap to make. Having a small bottle around to squirt in a little fuel as needed is attractive, you could run your laptop/UMPC/camera/ray gun/adult toy/GPS/other small device almost continuously without turning it off to change a battery.

Also, every battery maker on earth is researching how to make extremely efficient batteries. Battery technology is driven by overcoming problems with chemistry, not by making transistors smaller. A much bigger hurdle to surmount.

[BradS @ Jul 10th 2008 2:37PM]

Man that guy put on the poundage since the picture in the "high horse" link!

If that's the same guy.

[Gr1zz @ Jul 10th 2008 3:07PM]

Nope. Unless he dyed his hair black. ;-)

[xcrunk @ Jul 10th 2008 2:40PM]

This sounds like the sort of outfit that thrives on stupid investors who think they might have the next big thing. The whole time they're bilking investors out of millions.

[BradS @ Jul 10th 2008 2:49PM]

Maybe the fuel cells burn venture capitol instead of methanol.

[xcrunk @ Jul 10th 2008 3:15PM]

No, I think it's the chubby oriental fella burning through that money.

I don't think he's missed a meal in years.

[Shinigami @ Jul 10th 2008 3:30PM]

Whats the use of fuel cells? I just don't get it. Its just a replaceable not-rechargeable battery instead of Li-Ion rechargeable battery. Right? So instead of recharging, you can do refilling on the go without the need to wait for a few hours for the battery to charge, right?

So instead of paying for electricity, which the hotel pays for ya, you pay for the liquid?! And buy, buy, buy it 10 times a day because the battery runs dry? Like hell I will buy this crap!!!

Okay I might think of it if I get 1000 litters for the battery free with the device xD

[Dan Davis @ Jul 10th 2008 3:34PM]

LOL beat me to it!

It's good to see him picking up work these days

[ingus @ Jul 10th 2008 4:00PM]

Had this firm used some Asian hotties for the photo instead of this William Hung look-alike, this story would've been much more... ahem, attractive.

:D

[naz @ Jul 10th 2008 6:55PM]

Sony has exploding laptop batteries,

MTI Micro has exploding mini hydrogen bombs in UMPC's

[霽月瀛台 @ Jul 10th 2008 10:32PM]

No more future production shitty news.
Just sell them, OK?

[neofolklore @ Jul 11th 2008 8:30AM]

KABOOM