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MTI Micro showcases fuel cell-powered GPS prototype
MTI Micro is edging dangerously close to vaporware status, but until 2009 comes and goes, we suspect we still owe it the benefit of the doubt. The ever-boastful company is at it once again, this time showing off a purported fuel cell powered-GPS prototype at the International Small Fuel Cells Conference in Atlanta. The Mobion-powered device promises to provide "three times as much energy as GPS devices powered by four disposable AA batteries," meaning that users could see up to 60-hours of continuous use on a large, full-color screen navigator. You'll also find an integrated USB port for using it as an energy source, so you could theoretically utilize your NAV to charge your handset / PMP / ray gun. At this point, however, we wouldn't get too excited here -- it's not like there's any guarantee that we'll ever see this thing in commercial form.[Via I4U News, image courtesy of John S.]
Devotec's portable Solar Charger is minuscule, pretty cheap
We know, it's tiresome scouring the streets for an AC outlet when you've got oodles of sunshine surrounding you. That's where Devotec Industries' Solar Charger comes in. The smallest (and freshest) addition to the company's line weighs in at under 80-grams and measures just 95- x 43- x 10-millimeters, and packed within you'll find an 1800mAh battery. Of note, users can also juice up the device via USB or AC for when cloudy days swoop in, and it comes bundled with a slew of tips to handle the most popular handsets out there. Yeah, it does take a full day of sun (12-hours, to be precise) to get this thing fully charged (or 4-hours by AC / USB), but then again, it'll only set you back £19.99 ($40).
Electric Think City car sets sights on North American launch
You totally thought that "Think" operation you heard about last summer was nothing more than yet another electric car dream that would never see reality, didn't you? Turns out, the endeavor could be more successful than anyone originally imagined, and if all goes to plan, the Think City should hit US shores later this year. Beyond that, the company is assuming that it "could be selling as many as 50,000 units in two or three years," and with pump prices soaring and a sticker of around $25,000, we don't have much reason to doubt that. The 110 miles-per-charge vehicle, which touts a top speed of 65MPH and reportedly meets all US / European safety standards, would likely be assembled in Southern California (at least, ones sold over here), but we've no idea if swarms of Think dealerships will start popping up after all this goes down.[Via International Herald Tribune]
MTI Micro trumpets fuel cells for mobile devices... again
If you'll recall, we first got wind of MTI Micro's fuel cell endeavors way back in 2004, but nearly four years later the firm is still at it and hoping to have something rolled out by 2009. Reportedly, the company has conjured up a few working prototypes which utilize methanol and are built to power small gizmos such as cellphones, handhelds and even DSLRs. Recharging the cells would be as simple as "squirting in some new fuel or putting in a new cartridge," and MTI has even created a way to recycle the water within the unit. Still, it's not handing out any specifics about what products it plans on churning out first, but given that we've been waiting on these things for quite some time already, it's not like we can't twiddle our thumbs for another dozen months or so.[Via ElectronicsWeekly]
PowerCube 600: the 2000-pound solar-powered generator
Curious designs and solar-powered wares seem to go hand in hand, but honestly, the PowerCube 600 is going to be hard to top. In what appears to be a ginormous (and inexplicably uncomfortable) recliner, the creators have managed to shove enough solar panels in this foldable, "portable" generator to crank out 600-watts of power. You'll also find 3,500-watts of continuous inverter output, 2,400 amp hours of battery storage and a rugged / watertight case. Even when closed up, this beast measures 72- x 124- x 50-inches, and while it technically is a mobile solution, 2,000-pounds isn't exactly what you want to lug around each time you feel like hosting a LAN party in Zzyzx, California. Forget the fact that you'll need to phone up Reluminati in order to acquire a price -- just think of the shipping![Via MAKE]
InnovaTek's hand-sized microreactor converts liquid fuel into hydrogen
While oil prices continue to soar to new heights, the gurus at InnovaTek are peering into the future. After years of work, said company is finally testing its hand-sized microreactor that can reportedly "convert virtually any liquid fuel into hydrogen, producing a portable hydrogen stream for use in adjoining fuel-cells." In a perfect world, the technology would come built-in to vehicles, where we'd bypass the dangerous act of transporting hydrogen and instead convert biodiesel (or similar) right within the confines of the car. As it stands, the outfit has already signed a half-million dollar joint development agreement with Chevron to "pursue fuel processing technology for hydrogen refueling stations," and while this stuff isn't apt to be an option on any showroom models next year, InnovaTek is still aiming to commercially license the microreactors by 2009.
QuantumSphere speaks of homemade hydrogen
We'll be honest, we're not getting ourselves all riled up about this just yet -- after all, it's not like QuantumSphere is the first (nor the last) company to teeter on announcing a legitimate "solution" to ditching gasoline. Nevertheless, said startup has reportedly figured out a way to "make hydrogen at home from distilled water and ultimately bring the cost of hydrogen fuel cells in line with that of fossil fuels." More specifically, the outfit claims to have "perfected the manufacture of highly reactive catalytic nanoparticle coatings that could up the efficiency of electrolysis, the technique that generates hydrogen from water." Unbelievable though that may sound, it's still looking to unveil a battery using its own technology later this year, so we'll just wait and see what becomes of that initiative before bidding gas stations adieu for good.[Via Autoblog, thanks Sean]
Turbine could generate electricity each time you flush
This one's been swirling around for a tick, but Leviathan Energy's brilliant new turbine is just too good to pass up. Showcased at the Cleantech Forum in California, this contraption would reportedly generate power from the downward movement of water through pipes in a municipal system. In other words, there's potential to conjure up energy from simply flushing one's toilet. Of course, there's nothing revolutionary about yet another hydroelectric generator, but using such a device to grab power from such a dirty place takes things to a whole 'nother level.[Via Inhabitat]
280-megawatt solar plant headed to Arizona desert
And you thought the Nellis solar energy system in Nevada was intimidating. Truth be told, that 14-megawatt project pales mightily in comparison to the one being dreamed up for Arizona, and even Cleantech's 80-megawatt endeavor in California can only bow to the 280-megawatt Solana Generating Station. According to the Arizona Public Service Company, the facility will boast "enough capacity to serve 70,000 customers" when it (hopefully) becomes operational in 2011, and it will also create 1,500 construction jobs and 85 technical positions once open. So, now that the game of leapfrog is official on in the solar biz, who's game for trumping this one? [Via Inhabitat]
Panasonic's Titanium Flat Road EB electric bicycle is almost cheating
Yeah, there's already a few folks out there depriving themselves of adequate exercise by choosing to cruise on an electric bike, but those who've yet to take the plunge now have yet another alternative. Panasonic's Titanium Flat Road EB electric bicycle isn't likely to be certified for use in the Tour de France, but it can propel riders a maximum of ten kilometers in around half an hour (or up to 150 kilometers if you use your own strength every now and then). Additionally, the bike features a Smart Lithium-Ion Integrated Management System (SLIM) to display remaining battery life and the distance left before your legs will be forced to take over. No word on a price just yet, but there's plenty of pics in the via link below.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Tesla hopes for $250 million in funding for electric sedans
Remember that elusive WhiteStar we first got wind of earlier this month? Apparently, Tesla Motors is doing its best to round up a quarter-billion dollars over the next two years in order to produce the aforementioned electric sedan. Reportedly, the firm is deciding between Albuquerque, New Mexico or the East Bay area in California to construct its plant, and if all goes to plan, it'll use that facility to crank out the 2010 luxury sports sedan. As expected, concrete details are scant at the moment, but we are hearing that it hopes to launch the WhiteStar for around "half the price of its roadster," which currently retails in the US for a shade under $100,000.
Hydrogen fuel cell-powered MOTOSLVR L7 prototype gets pictured
Right around a month ago, we heard that Angstrom Power had managed to stuff some of its sophisticated hydrogen fuel cells into a MOTOSLVR L7. That prototype, friends, is what you see about. Unfortunately, we're no closer to realizing when this stuff will actually escape the proverbial beta stage, and for whatever it's worth, we're also no closer to feeling absolutely safe with one of these next to our melon (though existing alternatives don't have the greatest track record either).
Motorola curiously shows off fuel cell technology at MWC
Okay, we suppose cellphone companies trumpeting some sort of fuel cell technology isn't that weird, but nevertheless, Moto sure seems proud of its most recent advancements. Showcased at this year's Mobile World Congress are a number of "alternative power solutions including fuel cell and reflow batteries," which can be deployed in most every wireless / mobile environment out there. More specifically, the outfit is demonstrating a fuel cell-powered WiMAX base station, and it's also suggesting that said technology could "further guarantee [the] availability of uninterrupted power" in TETRA radio networks that are used in public safety environments. Fascinating, no?
Samsung partners with HydroGen to distribute fuel cell power plants
Trust us, this ain't the first time we've heard "Samsung" and "fuel cell" mentioned in the same breath, but signing up with another firm to be its "sole and exclusive distributor" of fuel cell power plants sounds pretty serious. Sure enough, Sammy has inked an agreement with US-based HydroGen, and will soon be selling its phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) power plants in Asia, the Middle East and in other unspecified regions. Reportedly, Samsung is planning to use HydroGen's technologies to "supply heat and electricity from fuel cell power plants to Korean chemical plants or energy providers and expand its business into the hydrogen fuel cell market." Yeah, we'd say locking things in with a hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer 'til 2015 is a pretty good way to accomplish that.[Via Chosun]
US' largest solar photovoltaic system flipped on in Nevada
Sure, we've seen monolithic solar farms before, but the 14-megawatt Nellis solar energy system is a beast that stands alone -- for now, at least. As of today, this farm is hailed as America's "largest solar photovoltaic system," but if all goes to plan, Cleantech America will grab those honors when it completes a massive 80-megawatt project in neighboring California. Nevertheless, this system -- which is housed at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada -- will reportedly generate "30 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually and supply approximately 25-percent of the total power used at the base, where 12,000 people live and work." Of course, some 140 acres of land have been covered with 72,000 solar panels in order to make it happen, but it's not like anything else is going out there (CES and rabid gambling notwithstanding).[Via MetaEfficient, image courtesy of CleanTech]
Kite-assisted ship to set sail in January
If you thought a solar-powered ferry was far out, get a load of this. Reportedly, a 132-meter long vessel will be making its maiden voyage next month, but rather than chugging copious quantities of diesel while traversing the Atlantic, it'll be sipping down fuel and receiving a good bit of help from the computer guided kite attached to its bow. The $725,000 device will be tethered to a 15-meter high mast and will fly some 300 meters above the ship in order to catch enough wind to actually aid in its movement. It's suggested that the SkySails kite propulsion system will slash fuel consumption by "up to 20-percent," saving the operator some $1,600 per day and reducing carbon emissions all the while. 'Course, all the company has to do now is make sure the January trip is a success and it'll have a list of to-be owners a mile long.[Via Slashdot]
San Francisco could offer credits, rebates to promote solar panel usage
It's hard to deny San Francisco's infatuation with solar power, and a new plan could further showcase its adoration for the sun (and Mother Earth, too) by throwing out tax credits, rebates and even loans for individuals and businesses that choose to equip their buildings with solar panels. Under the proposal, businesses would reportedly be "eligible for rebates of up to $10,000," while residents could fetch somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000 to help offset the high cost of installing panels. Furthermore, the city itself would underwrite loans that could be paid back "through annual tax assessments on properties." As it stands, the plan still has to be approved by voters and legislators, but Mayor Gavin Newsom is aspiring to have the whole shebang in place by next summer.[Image courtesy of San Francisco Sentinel]
UK wants every home wind-powered by 2020
In an ambitious scheme than even industry proponents seem skeptical of, Britain has unveiled plans to power every home in the country via off-shore wind farms by the year 2020. Right now the UK produces approximately half a gigawatt through this method of power generation, enough to provide 2% of the country's electricity, but nowhere near the 33 gigawatts called for in business secretary John Hutton's proposal. According to the British Wind Association Trade Group, while more offshore farms are always welcome, it is far more reasonable to expect a 20 gigawatt output by 2020 -- the bottleneck, apparently, is in procuring an adequate number of turbines. Another issue is the economic cost of wind power, which continues to exceed that of fossil fuel-based alternatives; luckily for the Brits, favorable exchange rates should help them pick up some American-made turbines on the cheap.[Thanks, WebOn]
FuelPod2 converts excess cooking oil into biodiesel
Engineering folks have long since been powering their automobiles with less than scrumptious liquids, but Green Fuels is hoping to make the usage of homegrown biodiesel entirely more common. The firm's FuelPod2 is aimed squarely at the domestic market and is capable of churning out 50-liters of fuel each day from waste cooking oil. Reportedly, the 140-centimeter high device utilizes external, thermostatically-controlled band heaters to pre-heat the oil, which ensures that the warming takes places prior to the addition of chemicals. Customers will also receive a "comprehensive operating manual" and can feel free to phone up a dedicated helpline in case of emergency, but truthfully, we'd expect nothing less from a system starting at £1,750 ($3,607).[Via UberReview]
Mitsubishi shows off sporty all electric i-MiEV car, Tesla puts up its dukes
Granted, we'll still give the Tesla Roadster the upper hand in terms of sheer sexiness, but Mitsubishi is hoping to attract any wandering eyes by unveiling a sporty new all electric whip of its very own. Shown recently at the Tokyo Motor Show, the compact i-MiEV will reportedly be powered by a pack of Li-ions that can enable drivers to scoot about 100 miles before needing a recharge. After it's out of juice, it'll take around 7-hours at 200V or 14-hours at 100V to charge it back up. Most notable about this ride, however, is the proposed release date: 2009. This figure was recently moved up a year from the original 2010 projection, but unfortunately, no details surrounding a price or specific launch markets have been disclosed. Be sure and hit the via link for a bevy of photos.[Via Autoblog]
