MFC
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Microbial fuel cell insights bring practical poo power closer to reality
It's been a while since we had an update from the exciting frontier of microbial fuel cell technology, but researchers at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute report a recent breakthrough in understanding exactly why bacteria seem to enjoy donating their electrons for the potential betterment of gadgetkind. The ASU team developed an equation that describes the relationship between the rate of bacterial metabolism and the electrical potential of the fuel cell, enabling a much more accurate model of how an MFC actually works. The researchers are working with this information to optimize fuel cell performance and power output, which to date has been disappointingly inefficient. Before long, we could totally be taking it for granted that our robotic underlings are powered by beer and poo.
Connect2Car controls your ride via Bluetooth
If you can't roll down your windows with your smartphone, you need to get with the program, son. Connect2Car, a system that integrates a multi-function controller (MFC) into your ride, allows you to do some pretty fly things with just about any Bluetooth-enabled device. By utilizing SoftDash, a proprietary software module, your portable machine gives instructions via BT (or serial cable) that operate all sorts of components such as the windows, locks, engine, convertible top, solenoids, air-ride suspension (saywha?), stereo, and alarm. But if that weren't enough to keep you busy, you can get a real-time readout of your tachometer on your PDA / smartphone while driving, which is rather unnecessary unless the dash gauge is broken. The installation is fairly straight-forward: just install the MFC in your vehicle, program SoftDash for your specific model, and pair up your BT device to get your whip in gear -- or just play with the hydraulic system at a traffic light. So if the factory controls on your car just aren't exhilarating enough, or if this system is way cheaper than replacing that trunk actuator, you can get your ride MFC-equipped for $399.99 to $849.99, depending on options.
