Back in 2006, a bright-eyed Samsung pledged a simple,
methanol-powered dock that could power a laptop for a whole month, promised availability by the end of 2007, and then ran off to look for unicorns. Three years on an older, wiser Samsung is making some rather more modest statements about its latest generation of
DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cell), now set for release in 2010 -- only for the military. But, trendy requisition officers will have their choice of three colors: black, gold, or black. This 3.5 kilogram device is said to provide 1,800 watt-hours without a recharge, enough to power all a soldier's mil-spec gadgetry for three days. That's a far cry from the 30 days promised a few years back, but far better than the 10 kilograms of batteries you'd need otherwise. Want to get your hands on one of these? Start by heading to your local recruiter's office -- and don't mind the
giant human microwave.
posted Apr 9th 2009 9:02AM
They don't sell to civilians?
I mean, it's not even an American company.
It's probably so expensive that only the military will buy it.
Which is not a slam on the military, either: they have to do things few civilians need to do, like carry their own electrical power by foot.
so how long until these are on the black market?
I have one for sale.
God damn it, I told you to come check out my shipment this week. The exoskeletons are already sold out, but I think I have a few of these kicking around.
Behind your Grandma's house, as usual. Bring my money.
which Black Market - the Black Market, or the Black Market?
(what about the Gold market?)
"Out and about, want to power all your gadgets without relying on renewable energy?"
choice of three colors: black, gold, or black
ok, what did I miss? can't a man sleep without missing out on the new colors?
No. While you were napping they released noir for the more sophisticated troopers out there.
So when is this implemented in laptops?
1/3 of the size would mean about a kilogram and 600 watt hours - a lot better than those batteries out there today. Also it's no hassle to arrange for a recharge infrastructure in the cities.
Well unless Im missing something mail away programs and the like would work too. These things arent volatile are they?
Except it costs 10x more than the laptop does.
I'm making up numbers but $10-20k is certainly within the realm of possibility. Then add a zero since it's for the military.
The other problem is the maximum instantaneous power. 1800wh over 3 days (72hrs) is a meager 25w of constant output. You can probably bump the power for a shorter life but you'd have to up it 2-4x for modern laptops.
You don't want these. These use methanol, and unless you live in a bunker someplace you can't tell us about, you don't have methanol on tap.
Rechargeable batteries are much more practical.
Could it run off of beer?
If you where drinking anything powerful enough to run this, you'd be either dead. blind or AWESOME.
you guys have an obsession with unicorns....time to pick a new mythical creature and mix it up a bit
What, like a puma?
How about a Sasquatch?
Oh, that mexican critter that eats goats. Chupa-thingy. Has a ring to it...
chupacabra hahaha....best worst horror movie ever
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chupacabra
that works, maybe a gryphon or minotaur...pretty much anything but a unicorn
A walrus!
Is a puma not just another word for a cougar? Cougars are real..
Dammit, didn't I tell you to stop making up animals?
They should make a car run with this.
Hi. I'm trying to change the email address associated with my account. Please help. No response from Engadget.
Three colors - black, gold, or black?
Um.... :/
"soldiers get the coolest toys"
... and then they get shot at. Hmmm.
black and gold, black and gold, black and gold