Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mercedes slaps sheet of LEDs on the side of an F-Cell, turns car into a chameleon]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/04/mercedes-f-cell-gets-led-camouflage/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/04/mercedes-f-cell-gets-led-camouflage/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/04/mercedes-f-cell-gets-led-camouflage/#comments Mercedes F-Cell gets LED camouflageIt's not often that folks want to hide the fact that they're driving a Mercedes, what with plenty of them being among of the finest motorcars on the road. However, as part of a marketing plan to call attention to its zero-emissions F-Cell model, the German marque swathed a side of one in LEDs to give it the ultimate in camouflage. You see, in addition to that makeshift display, a Canon 5D Mark II was mounted on the other side of the car so that video of its surroundings could be shown on the LED bodywork -- rendering the car all but invisible to onlookers, as long as they're staring at the left side, of course. Go ahead, head on down to see the magic of digital camo for yourself in the video after the break.

Continue reading Mercedes slaps sheet of LEDs on the side of an F-Cell, turns car into a chameleon

Mercedes slaps sheet of LEDs on the side of an F-Cell, turns car into a chameleon originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camouflagecanonCanon 5D Mark IICanon5dMarkIif cellf-cellFCellfuel cellFuelCellhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellinvisibleledledsmercedesmercedes benzmercedes-benzMercedesBenzvideoSun, 04 Mar 2012 19:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Microbial fuel cell produces hydrogen from wastewater without wasting energy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/microbial-fuel-cell-produces-hydrogen-from-wastewater-without-wa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/microbial-fuel-cell-produces-hydrogen-from-wastewater-without-wa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/microbial-fuel-cell-produces-hydrogen-from-wastewater-without-wa/#commentsBack in 2005, Bruce Logan and his team of Penn State researchers developed a microbial fuel cell capable of converting poop into power. Now, Logan has refined his system to the point where it can produce hydrogen from wastewater or biodegradable organic materials without using a drop of grid electricity, and without emitting even a hint of carbon dioxide. His approach, outlined in the September 19th issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, involves something known as reverse-electrodialysis (RED) -- a process that harvests energy from the ionic discrepancy between fresh and salt water. Logan's bacterial hydrolysis cell (pictured left) features a so-called RED stack that's comprised of alternating positive and negative ion exchange membranes, which it uses to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Normally, this process would involve about 25 pairs of membranes, but by using RED technology in conjunction with electricity-producing exoelectrogenic bacteria, Penn State's team was able to extract hydrogen with just five membrane pairs. All told, Logan's cells proved to be about 58 to 64 percent energy efficient, while producing between 0.8 to 1.6 cubic meters of hydrogen for every cubic meter of liquid that passed through the system. The researchers' results show that only one percent of that energy was used to pump water through the cells, which are completely carbon neutral, as well. According to Logan, this breakthrough demonstrates that "pure hydrogen gas can efficiently be produced from virtually limitless supplies of seawater and river water and biodegradable organic matter." Somewhere, the US Navy is taking scrupulous notes. Full PR after the break.

[Image courtesy of Penn State / Bruce Logan]

Continue reading Microbial fuel cell produces hydrogen from wastewater without wasting energy

Microbial fuel cell produces hydrogen from wastewater without wasting energy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bacteriabacterial hydrolysis cellBacterialHydrolysisCellbruce loganBruceLogancarboncarbon dioxidecarbon neutralCarbonDioxideCarbonNeutralelectricityelectrodialysisenergyengineeringexoelectrogenic bacteriaExoelectrogenicBacteriagridhydrogenhydrogen fuelhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelHydrogenFuelCellhydrolysisionicmembranemembrane pairMembranePairmicrobial fuelmicrobial fuel cellMicrobialFuelMicrobialFuelCellpenn statePenn State UniversityPennStatePennStateUniversityREDRED stackRedStackresearchreverse-electrodialysissaltsalt waterSaltWaterstudywaterThu, 22 Sep 2011 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz's hydrogen-powered F125! concept slips out ahead of Frankfurt]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/mercedes-benzs-hydrogen-powered-f125-concept-slips-out-ahead-o/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/mercedes-benzs-hydrogen-powered-f125-concept-slips-out-ahead-o/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/12/mercedes-benzs-hydrogen-powered-f125-concept-slips-out-ahead-o/#comments
Mercedes-Benz is certainly no stranger to hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles, and it looks like the automaker is now about to show off its latest concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. That's dubbed the F125! (apparently pronounced F one twenty FIVE), and it promises a top speed of 137 miles per hour, 0 to 62 in 4.9 seconds, and 100 kilometers on 0.79 kilograms of hydrogen (or 621 miles on a full tank). Apparently, the concept is also intended to demonstrate the design direction for 2025 CL-Class, although there's no indication as of yet that Mercedes-Benz plans to put a hydrogen-powered CL-Class into production. Hit the links below for a few more shots that have leaked out ahead of the show.

Mercedes-Benz's hydrogen-powered F125! concept slips out ahead of Frankfurt originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconcept vehicleConceptVehiclefrankfurtfrankfurt motor showFrankfurtMotorShowfuel cellFuelCellhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellmbmercedesmercedes-benzMon, 12 Sep 2011 19:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Navy tests bacteria-powered hydrogen fuel cell, could start monitoring your underwater fight club]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/navy-tests-bacteria-powered-hydrogen-fuel-cell-could-start-moni/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/navy-tests-bacteria-powered-hydrogen-fuel-cell-could-start-moni/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/navy-tests-bacteria-powered-hydrogen-fuel-cell-could-start-moni/#commentsMicrobial fuel cells aren't exactly new, but microbial fuel cells scouring the ocean floor? Now that's an initiative we can get behind. The Naval Research Laboratory is currently toying around with a so-called Zero Power Ballast Control off the coast of Thailand, presumably looking for treasures dropped from the speedboat of one "Alan Garner." Purportedly, the newfangled hydrogen fuel cell relies on bacteria to provide variable buoyancy, which allows an autonomous ocean sensor to move up and down water columns with little to no effort. Furthermore, it's able to get its energy from microbial metabolism (yeah, we're talking about hot air), and while it's mostly being used to measure things like temperature and pressure, it could be repurposed for more seirous tasks -- like mine detection. There's no clear word yet on when America's Navy will have access to this stuff, but if we had to guess, they've probably be using it behind our backs for the better part of a score.

[Image courtesy of U.S. Navy Reserve / Tom Boyd]

Navy tests bacteria-powered hydrogen fuel cell, could start monitoring your underwater fight club originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonomousBacteriabathythermographfuel cellFuelCellhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellmilitaryNaval Research LaboratoryNavalResearchLaboratorynavyoceanocean sensorOceanSensorsciencesensorsensorsusus militaryusaUsMilitarywaterZero Power Ballast ControlZeroPowerBallastControlThu, 07 Jul 2011 20:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Shell opens America's first pipelined hydrogen-fueling station in Southern California]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/shell-opens-americas-first-pipelined-hydrogen-fueling-station-i/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/shell-opens-americas-first-pipelined-hydrogen-fueling-station-i/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/shell-opens-americas-first-pipelined-hydrogen-fueling-station-i/#comments Residents of SoCal's Torrance should consider themselves lucky, as they're now living in America's first-ever city to have a pipelined hydrogen-fueling station. You can thank Shell and Toyota for picking up this government-funded green project. Sure, while the few other hydrogen stations still rely on delivery by supply truck (presumably running on diesel, ironically), this nevertheless marks a new milestone for our squeaky clean fuel, and it's only a matter of time before more stations get piped up to Air Products' hydrogen plants. If there's any indication of a time frame, Wired reminds us that 2015 should see the arrival of many new mass-market hydrogen cars from Toyota, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz. Not long to go now, fellow tree huggers.

Shell opens America's first pipelined hydrogen-fueling station in Southern California originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 May 2011 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Air ProductsAirProductscarDepartment of EnergyDepartmentOfEnergyfuelfuel cellFuelCellfuelingfueling stationFuelingStationhydrogenhydrogen fuelhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelHydrogenFuelCellrefuelrefuelingrefueling stationRefuelingStationShellsocalSouth Coast Air Quality Management DistrictSouthCoastAirQualityManagementDistrictsouthern californiaSouthernCaliforniastationTorranceToyotatransporttransportationvehicleWed, 11 May 2011 10:44:00 EST<![CDATA[RC car runs on soda can rings, Doc Brown approves (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/17/radio-control-car-runs-on-soda-can-rings-doc-brown-approves-vi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/17/radio-control-car-runs-on-soda-can-rings-doc-brown-approves-vi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/17/radio-control-car-runs-on-soda-can-rings-doc-brown-approves-vi/#comments

Many a future engineer was inspired by Back to the Future's Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown, and not just because he proved that unkempt eccentrics could truly change the world. No, he also pioneered Mr. Fusion, the coffee maker/cold fusion reactor that turned garbage into energy. And while we're still waiting for cold fusion and time travel to become a reality, today we're all one step closer to waste-powered cars. A pair of Spanish engineers have recently unveiled the dAlH2Orean (see what they did there?), a R/C car that runs on aluminum. Dropping a few soda can tabs into a tank of sodium hydroxide produces enough hydrogen to power the little speedster for 40 minutes - at almost 20mph. Hit the video above to see it in action, along with your daily helping of the Chemical Brothers. Fitting.

RC car runs on soda can rings, Doc Brown approves (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 Apr 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aleix LlovetAleixLlovetaluminumBack to the FutureBackToTheFuturecarCleantechCleanTechnologydAlH20reandeloreanDIYdo it yourselfdo-it-yourselfDoItYourselffuel cellFuelCellgarbagegreenhfchfcshydrogenhydrogen carhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenCarHydrogenFuelCellMr. FusionMr.Fusionradio controlRadioControlrcrc carRcCarremote controlRemoteControlsodium hydroxideSodiumHydroxidewasteXavier SaluenaXavierSaluenaSun, 17 Apr 2011 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Fuel cells get stronger, potentially cheaper with graphene, ITO]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/fuel-cells-get-stronger-potentially-cheaper-with-graphene-ito/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/fuel-cells-get-stronger-potentially-cheaper-with-graphene-ito/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/fuel-cells-get-stronger-potentially-cheaper-with-graphene-ito/#comments As the sustainable Juggernaut of fuel cell vehicles (FCV) powers ever forward, a group of scientists are cooking up ways to make the alternative energy source more durable and even cheaper. By combining graphene -- think pencil lead -- and indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles, the team produced a catalytic material that is both stronger and more chemically active than the usual catalytic combo. Fuel cells typically use a chemical catalyst like platinum, sitting atop a base of black carbon or metal oxides, to break down oxygen and hydrogen gases, creating water in the process -- thing is, carbon is easily eroded by the resulting water, and metal oxides, while more stable, are less conductive. Using graphene -- which because of its porousness erodes less quickly -- in combination with the stable ITO and platinum nanoparticles, researchers have created what could be referred to as a super fuel cell -- a stronger, longer lasting, and potentially cheaper version of the alternative energy source. Unfortunately, without enough hydrogen filling stations, these super fuel cells won't come to anyone's rescue anytime soon.

Fuel cells get stronger, potentially cheaper with graphene, ITO originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>catalystDepartment of EnergyDepartmentOfEnergydoeenergyfcvFuel Cellfuel cell vehiclesFuelCellFuelCellVehiclesgraphenehydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellindium tin oxideIndiumTinOxideITOnanotechnanotechnologyPacific Northwest National LaboratoryPacificNorthwestNationalLaboratoryprincetonrenewable energyRenewableEnergyWashington UniversityWashingtonUniversityWed, 16 Feb 2011 01:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes F-Cell World Drive gets off to an inauspicious start]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/06/mercedes-f-cell-world-drive-gets-off-to-an-inauspicious-start/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/06/mercedes-f-cell-world-drive-gets-off-to-an-inauspicious-start/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/06/mercedes-f-cell-world-drive-gets-off-to-an-inauspicious-start/#commentsMercedes F-Cell World Drive gets off to an inauspicious start Circling the globe on hydrogen power sounds like a bit of a challenge, what with the lack H2 pumps and all, but Mercedes-Benz set off to show that it could do just that -- with the help of a mobile filling station, natürlich. It's the F-Cell World Drive, and unfortunately, things got off to something of a bad start with two cars running out of fuel on the very first leg of the journey, one with Autoblog's Michael Harley at the wheel, no less. This first leg apparently began with a trip down an unrestricted bit of the Autobahn and, well, it seems the drivers of the cars decided to see what the little green B-Class F-Cells could do. The answer is 110mph, and of course moving along at this rate of speed did little for their range. The two cars came up 20km short of their first planned refueling stop, heavy right feet resulting in consumption of 1.5Kg of hydrogen per 100km distance -- roughly equivalent of 45mpg and way less than the 71mpg equivalent the cars usually manage. We're told day two, when drivers kept the speed to around 70mph, progressed much more smoothly, with both cars covering their expected legs without issue.

Mercedes F-Cell World Drive gets off to an inauspicious start originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblogb-class f-cellB-classF-cellelectric vehicleElectricVehicleevf-cell world driveF-cellWorldDrivefcevfuel cellFuelCellgermanyhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellmercedesmercedes-benzSun, 06 Feb 2011 17:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyundai brings hydrogen vehicles to Europe, one free fleet at a time]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/hyundai-brings-hydrogen-vehicles-to-europe-one-free-fleet-at-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/hyundai-brings-hydrogen-vehicles-to-europe-one-free-fleet-at-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/hyundai-brings-hydrogen-vehicles-to-europe-one-free-fleet-at-a/#comments Excited for the rise of hydrogen economies, but can't wait till 2015? If you work for the Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or Icelandic governments, you might get to see the future personally. Hyundai's signed a memorandum of understanding with the aforementioned four countries to deliver a test fleet of fuel cell electric vehicles, and the Nikkei Shimbun is reporting that the company will personally foot the (possibly quite reasonable) bill. Free hydrogen-powered SUV? Don't mind if we do!

Continue reading Hyundai brings hydrogen vehicles to Europe, one free fleet at a time

Hyundai brings hydrogen vehicles to Europe, one free fleet at a time originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FCEVFuel Cellfuel cell vehiclesfuel cellsFuelCellFuelCellsFuelCellVehicleshydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellHyundaiWed, 02 Feb 2011 11:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Daimler says fuel cell vehicles will cost the same as diesel hybrids by 2015]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/daimler-says-fuel-cell-vehicles-will-cost-the-same-as-diesel-hyb/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/daimler-says-fuel-cell-vehicles-will-cost-the-same-as-diesel-hyb/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/daimler-says-fuel-cell-vehicles-will-cost-the-same-as-diesel-hyb/#comments It may currently you cost you $849 a month to lease a Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell (one of the few hyrodgen-fueled vehicles currently available to consumers), but Daimler says that cost will come down considerably in the next few years. Speaking with Automotive News, Daimler's Herbert Kohler said that by 2015 he expects a "fuel cell car will not cost more than a four-cylinder diesel hybrid that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard," which would seemingly place it in a race with Toyota and its promise of a $50,000 hydrogen-powered sedan. What's more, Kohler also said that he expects fuel cell vehicles to actually be cheaper than comparable electric vehicles within the next few years, and he said that Daimler is hoping to bring a "four-digit-number" of fuel cell vehicles to market by 2013 or 2014.

Daimler says fuel cell vehicles will cost the same as diesel hybrids by 2015 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcarsdaimlerfuel cellFuelCellHerbert KohlerHerbertKohlerhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellmercedesmercedes-benzvehicleWed, 02 Feb 2011 03:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Cella Energy says its hydrogen microbeads could fuel your car, cost $1.50 per gallon]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/cella-energy-says-its-hydrogen-microbeads-could-fuel-your-car-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/cella-energy-says-its-hydrogen-microbeads-could-fuel-your-car-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/cella-energy-says-its-hydrogen-microbeads-could-fuel-your-car-c/#commentsCella Energy says its hydrogen microbeads could fuel your car, cost $1.50 per gallon Your average hydrogen-powered car is a marvel of modern science -- fuel cell sifting electrons out of pure H2 and emitting nothing but water -- powered by big, heavy, high-pressure tanks of gas. Cella Energy is here to ditch the tank, having first developed a means of storing hydrogen in microfibers that could greatly simplify the design of these vehicles. But, perhaps even more impressive is a "synthetic fuel" the company is working on which is, essentially, pure hydrogen captured into microbeads. You know, like the kind that float in your shampoo and give your hair that extra lustre, but explosive. According to Cella these beads can be poured into the gas tank of a car with an internal combustion engine (presumably suspended in some sort of liquid) and, with no modification, that car will run just fine. Best news is that this concoction costs just $1.50 per gallon -- or will, eventually. Supposedly. Maybe?

Cella Energy says its hydrogen microbeads could fuel your car, cost $1.50 per gallon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellacella energyCellaEnergyfcevhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellhydrogen powerHydrogenFuelCellHydrogenPowermicrobeadssynthetic fuelSyntheticFuelFri, 28 Jan 2011 19:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz's hydrogen-fueled B-Class F-Cell gets priced at $849 a month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/24/mercedes-benzs-hydrogen-fueled-b-class-f-cell-gets-priced-at-8/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/24/mercedes-benzs-hydrogen-fueled-b-class-f-cell-gets-priced-at-8/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/24/mercedes-benzs-hydrogen-fueled-b-class-f-cell-gets-priced-at-8/#comments
It's unfortunately not the F800 Style "research vehicle" the company is working on, but those looking to avoid a hybrid or all-electric vehicle in favor of fuel cell technology can now place an order for Mercedes-Benz's new B-Class F-Cell vehicle. Those orders actually first opened up in October, but the automaker has only just recently revealed the actual cost to customers. That will be $849 a month on a lease-only basis, which may seem a tad high but does include both fuel and insurance (alright, so it's still high). As you might expect, however, the car won't exactly be widely available -- Mercedes-Benz says the first few will reach "selected" customers by the end of this year, with "at least 70 more" set to become available in the Los Angeles and San Francisco area by 2012. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz's hydrogen-fueled B-Class F-Cell gets priced at $849 a month

Mercedes-Benz's hydrogen-fueled B-Class F-Cell gets priced at $849 a month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 08:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b-classf-cellfuel cellFuelCellhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellmercedesmercedes benzmercedes-benzMercedesBenzWed, 24 Nov 2010 08:52:00 EST<![CDATA[OSU Buckeye Bullet 2 sets new battery-powered speed record]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/osu-buckeye-bullet-2-sets-new-battery-powered-speed-record/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/osu-buckeye-bullet-2-sets-new-battery-powered-speed-record/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/osu-buckeye-bullet-2-sets-new-battery-powered-speed-record/#comments
 Ohio State's Buckeye Bullet 2 has just set a new battery-powered vehicle record after hitting a speed of 291 mph averaged over two separate runs done back-to-back in opposite directions. Yes, it's technically slower than the two-way land speed record of 300.992 mph the original Bullet set back in 2009, but that car was powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This year's model instead was developed in partnership with boutique Monaco-based electric car manufacturer Venturi and replaced the fuel cells with lithium-ion batteries from A123 Systems. It's also apparently a testing prototype for a new car that's coming in 2011. Will that car hit these kind of world record speeds? Probably not, but we're not letting that dash our newly formed geek fantasy of seeing it drag against a Tesla.

OSU Buckeye Bullet 2 sets new battery-powered speed record originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a123 battery packa123-systems-lithium-ionA123BatteriesA123BatteryPackA123Systemsbatter powered car land speed recordBatterPoweredCarLandSpeedRecordbattery powered two-way land speed recordBatteryPoweredTwo-wayLandSpeedRecordBuckeye BulletElectric carelectric carsElectricCarfuelfuel cellsFuelCellshydrogen carhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenCarHydrogenFuelCellland speed recordland speed record carLandSpeedRecordLandSpeedRecordCarLithium Ionlithium ion batteriesLithium-IonLithiumIonLithiumIonBatteriesLithiumIonBatteryOhio State UniversityOSUOSU Buckeye BulletOSU Buckeye Bullet 2recordtwo-way land speed recordTwo-wayLandSpeedRecordVenturiworld recordworld record breakersworld recordsWorldRecordWorldRecordBreakersWorldRecordsWed, 25 Aug 2010 06:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Lung-inspired hydrogen fuel cell skimps on platinum, sees efficiency boost]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/24/lung-inspired-hydrogen-fuel-cell-skimps-on-platinum-sees-effici/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/24/lung-inspired-hydrogen-fuel-cell-skimps-on-platinum-sees-effici/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/24/lung-inspired-hydrogen-fuel-cell-skimps-on-platinum-sees-effici/#commentsFor as spectacular as hydrogen fuel cells are on paper, they haven't been able to replace combustion engines in vehicles. Or much of anything else, really. But thanks to Signe Kjelstrup at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in Oslo, the tried-and-true fuel cell is getting a serious boost. Kjelstrup's crew determined that by using less platinum in a cell, a substantial increase in efficiency and a significant decrease in cost could be achieved. The new design relies on an architecture that's "modeled on the bronchial structure of the lungs to supply hydrogen and oxygen gas to their respective electrodes," which is said to help "spread the gases more uniformly across the catalyst than current channel designs and provides a greater surface area so less platinum is needed." It's still early on in the discovery process, though, and there's certainly no solid word on when this will reach a point where widespread implementation is feasible. Seventh-generation Prius, perhaps?

Lung-inspired hydrogen fuel cell skimps on platinum, sees efficiency boost originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bodyeco-friendlyenergyfuel cellFuelCellgreenhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCelllungosloplatinumpowerresearchscienceSigne KjelstrupSigneKjelstrupuniversityTue, 24 Aug 2010 09:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda shows off conceptual, solar-powered station to refill your conceptual, hydrogen-powered car (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/07/honda-shows-off-conceptual-solar-powered-station-to-refill-your/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/07/honda-shows-off-conceptual-solar-powered-station-to-refill-your/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/07/honda-shows-off-conceptual-solar-powered-station-to-refill-your/#commentsHonda shows off conceptual, solar-powered station to refill your conceptual, hydrogen-powered car Hydrogen-powered cars, like Honda's FCX Clarity, face a lot of hurdles, not the least of which being a fuel source requiring more energy to produce than it in turn gives out as energy. Honda is showing one way to mitigate that with its conceptual home-based recharging station. It relies on a six-kilowatt solar array to power an electrolyzer, splitting water molecules into hydrogen atoms. Eight hours of sunlight generates a half-kilogram of hydrogen, enough for the FCX to cover about 30 miles -- your average commute. However, there are some obvious concerns, not the least of which being that massive solar array (shown on the right in the picture above), which is twice the size of car it's powering. Then there's the cost, and while Honda isn't saying how much this might set you back if it ever did come to production, we're guessing it'd make the JFE Engineering's $60k quick charger look like something of a bargain.

Continue reading Honda shows off conceptual, solar-powered station to refill your conceptual, hydrogen-powered car (video)

Honda shows off conceptual, solar-powered station to refill your conceptual, hydrogen-powered car (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electrolyzerfcx clarityFcxClarityhome hydrogen generationhome hydrogen stationHomeHydrogenGenerationHomeHydrogenStationhondahydrogenhydrogen carhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenCarHydrogenFuelCellsolarsolar powerSolarPowervideoWed, 07 Jul 2010 10:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyundai-Kia looking to beat Toyota in the automotive fuel cell price wars]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/08/hyundai-kia-looking-to-beat-toyota-in-the-automotive-fuel-cell-p/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/08/hyundai-kia-looking-to-beat-toyota-in-the-automotive-fuel-cell-p/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/08/hyundai-kia-looking-to-beat-toyota-in-the-automotive-fuel-cell-p/#commentsKyundai-Kia looking to beat Toyota in the automotive fuel cell price wars When Toyota made clear its aim to release a hydrogen-powered fuel cell auto to the public in 2015 for $50,000, we asked the simple question of whether you'd buy that car for that much. The overwhelming answer was "heck no!" Hyundai-Kia is glad to hear it, and is taking this time to trump up its cheaper fuel cell technology. General Manager Byung Ki Ahn explains that his company's tech does not require an onboard compressor and contains less platinum in the catalysts than Toyota's, in theory meaning reduced cost and complexity. But, will that come at the expense of efficiency? Just what will Hyundai's alternative cost? And, most importantly, will its first fuel cell car look as good as good as the Genesis coupe, or will it just be the boring Borrego prototype above? These questions could be answered as soon as 2012, when the company hopes to get the first early models into the willing driveways of consumers.

Hyundai-Kia looking to beat Toyota in the automotive fuel cell price wars originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel cellFuelCellhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellhyundaihyundai-kiakiaTue, 08 Jun 2010 04:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Horizon's H-Cell 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell for R/C cars now shipping (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/horizons-h-cell-2-0-hydrogen-fuel-cell-for-r-c-cars-now-shippin/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/horizons-h-cell-2-0-hydrogen-fuel-cell-for-r-c-cars-now-shippin/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/horizons-h-cell-2-0-hydrogen-fuel-cell-for-r-c-cars-now-shippin/#commentsHorizon's H-Cell 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell for R/C cars now shiping You may have a hard time buying yourself a full-sized hydrogen-powered auto, but thanks to Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies you can at least get a 1:10 scale version. The company's H-Cell 2.0 fuel cell kit, unveiled back in February, is now shipping to forward-looking enthusiasts and comes with everything you need to mount it on a tiny boat, little plane, or R/C car (like the Tamiya TRF416 shown above). While Horizon indicates the cell will keep that car moving at 45mph for a full hour, an impressive figure, they still haven't told us another very important number: the cost. We do, however, have the full system specs just after the break, along with a demo video of the thing in action. It may not be as fast as your neighbor's nitro-powered beast, but what has he done for the environment lately?

Gallery: Horizon H-Cell 2.0 fuel cell

Continue reading Horizon's H-Cell 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell for R/C cars now shipping (video)

Horizon's H-Cell 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell for R/C cars now shipping (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 May 2010 09:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel cellFuelCellH-Cell 2.0H-cell2.0horizon fuel cell technologieshorizon H-Cell 2.0HorizonFuelCellTechnologiesHorizonH-cell2.0hydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellhydrostikradio controlledradio controlled carRadioControlledRadioControlledCarrc carRcCarvideoTue, 25 May 2010 09:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Would you buy a hydrogen-powered sedan in 2015 for $50,000?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/09/would-you-buy-a-hydrogen-powered-sedan-in-2015-for-50-000/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/09/would-you-buy-a-hydrogen-powered-sedan-in-2015-for-50-000/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/09/would-you-buy-a-hydrogen-powered-sedan-in-2015-for-50-000/#commentsWould you buy a hydrogen-powered sedan in 2015 for $50,000? That's the question Toyota is asking, announcing plans to release such a thing in that year for that price. That's more than twice as expensive as the company's current eco-chic offering, the Prius, but for greenies the advantages here are considerable: zero carbon emissions and a renewable fuel source. Toyota has been showing off its hydrogen-powered FCHV (pictured above) for quite some time now, but the initial model to hit dealers will instead be a sedan (presumably a luxury one at that price point) that would have a range comparable to gasoline models. Toyota hopes to actually make a profit on the car thanks to ever-decreasing fuel cell costs, a goal that the company did not achieve when the Prius initially hit the road and was sold at a loss. Of course, if the hydrogen distribution system in the US doesn't improve over the next five years then this thing will surely be a loser too.

Would you buy a hydrogen-powered sedan in 2015 for $50,000? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 May 2010 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fcevfuel cellFuelCellgreenh2hydrogenhydrogen fuel cellhydrogen-poweredHydrogenFuelCelltoyotaSun, 09 May 2010 12:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Horizon debuts H-Cell 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell system for R/C cars]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/03/horizon-debuts-h-cell-2-0-hydrogen-fuel-cell-system-for-r-c-cars/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/03/horizon-debuts-h-cell-2-0-hydrogen-fuel-cell-system-for-r-c-cars/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/03/horizon-debuts-h-cell-2-0-hydrogen-fuel-cell-system-for-r-c-cars/#comments
We just checked out Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies' personal MiniPak fuel cell charger at CES last month, but the company's already back with another product that promises to take fuel cells where you might not expect them: hobbyist R/C cars. That comes courtesy of the company's new H-Cell 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell system, which is an add-on kit that's designed to replicate the full-scale hydrogen systems now being used on actual cars. In fact, it can even be refueled using a model-scale hydrogen refueling station, which itself can be outfitted with solar panels or wind turbines for a completely carbon-free experience. No word on pricing just yet, but the kit will apparently be available on March 15th -- head on past the break for a quick video demonstration.

Continue reading Horizon debuts H-Cell 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell system for R/C cars

Horizon debuts H-Cell 2.0 hydrogen fuel cell system for R/C cars originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel cellFuelCellh-cellh-cell 2.0H-cell2.0hobbyisthorizonHorizon Fuel Cell TechnologiesHorizonFuelCellTechnologieshydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellrc carrc carsRcCarRcCarsWed, 03 Feb 2010 18:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Navy UAV uses hydrogen fuel cells for greener surveillance]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/17/video-navy-uav-uses-hydrogen-fuel-cells-for-greener-surveillanc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/17/video-navy-uav-uses-hydrogen-fuel-cells-for-greener-surveillanc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/17/video-navy-uav-uses-hydrogen-fuel-cells-for-greener-surveillanc/#comments
It sure is nice to see that the military is paying attention to the environment, always on the lookout for greener ways to spy on people, foreign and domestic. Ion Tiger, for instance, is an unmanned vehicle being cooked up at the Naval Research Laboratory that incorporates a hydrogen fuel cell, offering many improvements on earlier battery powered designs -- including a greater range (up to seven times further than that of current designs), heavier payloads, smaller size, reduced noise, a low heat signature, and zero emissions. The Office of Naval Research is making much of the possible civilian potentials for this technology, pointing out that research contributes "directly to solving some of the same technology challenges faced at the national level," but we know the truth: the US military is in cahoots with Greenpeace. You heard it here first, folks. Video after the break.

[Via PhysOrg]

Continue reading Video: Navy UAV uses hydrogen fuel cells for greener surveillance

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Video: Navy UAV uses hydrogen fuel cells for greener surveillance originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defensedroneespionagegreenhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellIon TigerIonTigermilitarynavyoffice of naval researchOfficeOfNavalResearchFri, 17 Apr 2009 18:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes hedges alt-fuel bets with BlueZero electric, hydrogen, and hybrid models]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/17/mercedes-hedges-alt-fuel-bets-with-bluezero-electric-hydrogen/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/17/mercedes-hedges-alt-fuel-bets-with-bluezero-electric-hydrogen/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/17/mercedes-hedges-alt-fuel-bets-with-bluezero-electric-hydrogen/#comments
When everyone was going hybrid, taking baby-steps toward an alternative-fueled future, Mercedes jumped into its prototype Hydrogen-powered machines and buzzed off toward the horizon. Now, perhaps realizing that it moved a bit too quickly for the distribution infrastructure to keep up, the company seems to be pulling back a bit, introducing the BlueZERO line of autos that all share the same shell -- pictured above looking good at its most flattering angle, but not so hot after the break. The series will encompass three cars: the fully-electric E-CELL (possibly featuring Tesla batteries), with a 120 mile range; the hydrogen-powered F-CELL, with a 248 mile range; and the hybrid E-CELL PLUS that, like the Volt, will carry a gasoline engine to recharge the batteries and provide up to 370 miles of non-stop motoring (10 more than Chevy's offering). The trio are set to release in 2010, which should be a historic year for the auto industry... assuming we still have an auto industry in 2010.

Continue reading Mercedes hedges alt-fuel bets with BlueZero electric, hydrogen, and hybrid models

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Mercedes hedges alt-fuel bets with BlueZero electric, hydrogen, and hybrid models originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric carElectricCarhybridhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellmbmercedesmercedes-benzWed, 17 Dec 2008 09:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda FCX Clarity set to enter limited production and sale]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/16/honda-fcx-clarity-set-to-enter-limited-production-and-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/16/honda-fcx-clarity-set-to-enter-limited-production-and-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/16/honda-fcx-clarity-set-to-enter-limited-production-and-sale/#comments
If you're in the market for a fuel efficient car, but you've been holding out for something a little more advanced than the Prius -- your dreams may have just been answered. Honda announced today that it would begin producing limited quantities of its FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles for sale in the US and Japan over the next few years. According to the automaker, it plans to offer around 200 of the zero-emission cars in the next three years, with a few dozen models expected on the road this year leased at around $600 a month. Said John Mendel, a senior vice president at Honda, "It's an especially significant day for American Honda as we plant firm footsteps toward the mainstreaming of fuel cell cars." Now all they have to do is get more than 3 fueling stations out there and we'll be all set.

Read - Honda rolls out fuel cell car
Read - Honda starts producing next-generation fuel cell car

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Honda FCX Clarity set to enter limited production and sale originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fcxfcx clarityFcxClarityfuel cellFuelCellhondahybridhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellMon, 16 Jun 2008 10:56:00 EST<![CDATA[First manned flight using hydrogen battery doesn't cause rain, only tears]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/04/first-manned-flight-using-hydrogen-battery-creates-no-rain-only/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/04/first-manned-flight-using-hydrogen-battery-creates-no-rain-only/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/04/first-manned-flight-using-hydrogen-battery-creates-no-rain-only/#comments
You're looking at the world's first manned flight powered by a hydrogen battery. Boeing's prop-driven aircraft set the lone pilot aloft for about 20 minutes at a speed of 100-kilometres (62 miles) an hour at an altitude of about 1,000 meters. The 800-kilogram (1,760-pound) craft with a 16.3-meter (51-foot) wingspan is capable of flying for about 45 minutes under the power of its hydrogen fuel cells -- the airplane's batteries provided an additional boost for takeoff. The fuel cells harvest the energy produced by the chemical transformation of hydrogen and oxygen into water -- that makes the craft clean as well as near silent. Unfortunately, the technology is nowhere near the point of powering commercial aircraft. At best, the fuel-cells could act as a secondary power source... in another 20 years.

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First manned flight using hydrogen battery doesn't cause rain, only tears originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplanebatteryboeinghydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellplaneFri, 04 Apr 2008 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Hydrogen fuel cell powered Hyfish jet takes flight]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/19/hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered-hyfish-jet-takes-flight/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/19/hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered-hyfish-jet-takes-flight/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/19/hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered-hyfish-jet-takes-flight/#commentsIt looks like some folks in Bern, Switzerland may have gotten a bit of a rude wake up call recently, when the unmanned, hydrogen fuel cell powered Hyfish jet made its high-pitched debut earlier this month -- which, according to the group of developers behind it, makes it the "world's first" jet of this sort. They don't seem to have been content with simply getting the jet off the ground, however, with the Hyfish reportedly pushing itself to a top speed of 200km per hour and even performing a few aerial acrobatics, which you can thankfully check out in the video after the break. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have any plans for a manned version anytime soon, although Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies (who helped out with the Hyfish) does see the technology winding up in other UAVs, which they say would be capable of 15 to 30 hour flight times.

Continue reading Hydrogen fuel cell powered Hyfish jet takes flight

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Hydrogen fuel cell powered Hyfish jet takes flight originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel cellFuelCellhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellhyfishuavThu, 19 Apr 2007 11:48:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW Hydrogen 7 is unveiled as first for luxury performance space]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/04/bmw-hydrogen-7-is-unveiled-as-first-for-luxury-performance-space/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/04/bmw-hydrogen-7-is-unveiled-as-first-for-luxury-performance-space/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/04/bmw-hydrogen-7-is-unveiled-as-first-for-luxury-performance-space/#comments While plenty of car manufacturers have been working hard to bring hydrogen-based vehicles to the everyman, it seems BMW has been taking an alternate tact, and instead got bizzy squeezing a hydrogen drive into a 7 Series model. The car's engine can run on either hydrogen or gasoline, and includes tanks for both. You can manage around 124 miles on hydrogen and an additional 311 miles on gasoline, which should cut down on the whole "stranded in the middle of nowhere since there aren't enough hydrogen stations yet" situation. Performance is passable, at 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds, but this ain't no Tesla. The switch between power sources is performed automatically at the push of a button, and the car will be produced in a limited series for selected users, meaning you probably won't even have a shot at one. All the same, it's good to see alterna-fuel vehicles getting so close to reality -- and BMW seems convinced that in reality, the future won't just play host to compact boringcars.

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BMW Hydrogen 7 is unveiled as first for luxury performance space originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Dec 2006 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7 series7Seriesbmwcarfuel cellFuelCellhydrogenhydrogen 7hydrogen fuelhydrogen fuel cellHydrogen7HydrogenFuelHydrogenFuelCelltransporttransportationvehicleMon, 04 Dec 2006 11:03:00 EST