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Toyota shows off fuel cell car with 480-mile range
While we've yet to hear any more about Toyota's planned tests of its plug-in hybrid, the company has apparently made quite a bit of progress with its fuel cell vehicles, two of which recently made a non-stop 350 mile trip from Osaka to Tokyo (with the air conditioning on, no less). What's more, according to MSNBC, the vehicles still had 30 percent of their fuel remaining, giving them a total potential range of 480 miles. That's apparently more than double the range of Toyota's earlier fuel cell vehicles, a feat due in no small part to this model's ability to hold twice as much hydrogen as its predecessor (it's also 25% more efficient). While there's no word as to when any of this might actually make it into a commercially available vehicle, Toyota is apparently (slowly) headed in that direction, with it now working to boost the range even further, improve durability and, most importantly, get the cost down.[Via Straightline, photo courtesy of Robert Gilhooly / EPA]
Researcher touts "practical fuel cells" for portable electronics
There's certainly no shortage or researchers and companies promising to bring fuel cells into everyday gadgets, but Ronald Besser of the Stevens Institute of Technology seems to think he has a system that can stand out from that pack. According to MIT's Technology Review, Besser's proposed system consists of a cylindrical design with "combustor" at the center that facilitates all the necessary reactions to convert methanol into hydrogen. Apparently, that design not only allows for the fuel cells to be made smaller, but more efficient as well. While it seems to still just be on the drawing board, Besser says the system could eventually allow for laptops to run for upwards of 50 hours, and could be made small enough to power other portable electronics as well. In the meantime, however, you may want to keep an eye on some of the systems a littler closer to reality.
Sony achieves world's highest output from sugar battery
Another day, another fuel cell milestone. This time, it's sugar at the bio-electrical base. Unfortunately, the world's highest output they're touting is just 50mW per cell. Still, if you daisy chain a few together then you've got enough juice (literally) to power a modern Walkman albeit, from a battery roughly 10x the size of the player. Be sure to check their video after the break -- produced with just enough hair-porn-era synth music to make the otherwise benign experience, painful.[Via TokyoMango]
Fujitsu installs hydrogen fuel cell on Sunnyvale campus
Always down for a little self-glorification, Fujitsu has just announced that it has become the "first Silicon Valley company to install hydrogen fuel cell power." The firm reportedly "dedicated a hydrogen fuel cell on its Sunnyvale campus," which aims to provide "clean, efficient power for the campus data center and other operations" and substantially curb carbon dioxide emissions. The UTC Power PureCell Model 200 system will provide half of the energy necessary to cool the campus data center and labs, and Fujitsu claims that it will have a payback "of about 3.5 years and a lifespan of closer to 15 years."
Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 breaks 200 miles-per-hour
Looks like minuscule RC cars aren't the only alternatively powered vehicles trying to break 200 miles-per-hour, as Ford just became the "world's first automaker to set a land speed record for a production-based fuel cell powered car." The whip used to set the bar, of course, is none other than the Fusion Hydrogen 999, and it reportedly reached over 207 miles-per-hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah without using a drop of gas. Apparently, Ford is hoping that this showcase of speed will somehow translate into advancements that will help us common folk get to work and back sans gasoline, and while we've no idea when a fuel cell propelled Cobra will roll off the line, it did note that a number of fuel cell propelled Focus vehicles were still burning down the roads as part of an ongoing study.[Via AutoblogGreen]
Samsung's one-month Fuel Cell piggy given a real purty mouth
No word on a production run, but we thought you'd like to peep the latest iteration of DMFC (direct-methanol fuel cell) technology coming out of Samsung. If nothing else, they've at least cleaned up the design of that dock we last peeped back in December. A good sign that they're still intent on releasing this one-month, refillable battery by the end of 2007.
Cubic zirconia used to make fuel cells run cooler, fool neighbors
A trio of researchers at UC Davis has developed a method of using home-shopping standby cubic zirconia to cool hydrogen fuel cells by nearly 90 percent. Fuel cells typically run between 1,500 and 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, but by adding a little fake ice to the mix, Zuhair Munir, Umberto Anselmi-Tamburini and Sangtae Kim have managed to run their cell between just 122 and 212 degrees. The system works because conduction take places in zirconia via "protonic movement" as opposed to "ionic mobility," which sounds quite fancy. No word on when we'll see these hit the market, but the team has already gotten their patent application in order -- only time will tell if cubic zirconia will actually seem valuable in the future.[Via Roland Piquepaille]
Spectrolab designs highly efficient solar cell
While we certainly applaud the designers at Spectrolab for developing a solar cell that's reportedly "twice as efficient as typical rooftop solar panels," we're stifling most of our excitement until it actually leaves the laboratory. Nevertheless, the Boeing subsidiary has apparently cranked out a cell that utilizes metamorphic materials and is "designed for photovoltaic systems that use lenses and mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays onto small, high-efficiency solar cells." The unique semiconductors used are said to resemble ones that adorn satellites and planetary landers, and can capture three layers of the solar spectrum versus the single layer that traditional solar panels collect. Unfortunately, it seems that the eventual goals for this thing are rather ho hum, as the crew only expects the cells to hit 45-percent efficiency within the next six or so years. C'mon folks, you've already got alternatives at 40.
Hydrogen separator could power fuel cells from city gas
We've seen power hacks that allow hybrid vehicles to energize your domicile, but even that isn't enough to change how entire cities receive electricity. Now, however, the Japan Fine Ceramics Center (JFCC) has collaborated with Noritake Co. and a few other firms to develop "a high-performance hydrogen separation membrane made from ceramic materials" that can purportedly "attach directly to a gas pipeline to supply hydrogen for fuel cells using city gas as the source." Additionally, the the reaction to generate hydrogen can be carried out at a temperature of around "300-degrees lower than normal," and while current estimations are suggesting that cities won't be powered via this method until closer to 2020, there's always the option for a gigantic solar field to fill the void in the time being. [Warning: read link requires subscription]
MasterFlex's CargoBike hauls wares via hydrogen fuel cells
Nah, MasterFlex's fresh new wheels aren't exactly made for easy lugging, but if your legs are all given out, this hydrogen fuel cell-powered bicycle won't rely on fossil fuels to get you around. Designed for easily hauling goods (or rambunctious youngsters) around town, the bike also sports a 250-watt fuel cell system that not only gives your body a rest whilst handling "inner-city logistics," but you can reportedly stroll along for 150 miles at a mind-numbingly slow 3.7-miles per hour if you're in need of fresh air. Interestingly, it seems that the power system can also be channeled to peripheral lighting sources or to "cool transported goods," which should definitely interest those looking to open a mobile drink shop in downtown Phoenix. The bikes are already being utilized in various third world nations, but the pieces are seemingly in place to get these motorized machines to areas of Europe in the very near future.[Via Wired]
Chevy Volt heads into GM's production pipeline
Those of you as taken with GM's Chevy Volt concept vehicle as we are may want to take a minute to reconsider any impending car purchases, as the car is now officially headed into production -- in two different versions no less. According to Autoblog, that could put the car on track for a roll out in 2010, although GM isn't quite ready to get that specific. In addition to the plug-in gasoline model we saw earlier this year, the other version GM is working on is a fuel cell model, although it'll apparently be too expensive for volume production (diesel and ethanol-powered versions could also be headed to select markets). The plug-in gasoline version takes the rather ingenious route of using the gasoline engine to power a generator, which charges the car's batteries, which in turn powers the car itself (you can also simply plug it in overnight to charge the battery). That supposedly translates to a gasoline savings of about 500 gallons per year for the average commuter, not to mention a signification reduction in CO2 emissions. While there's no word yet on what it might cost, GM has reportedly said that it's willing to lose money initially in order to get the car produced and sold, which could certainly be a good sign.
Foster's to aid in first "beer battery" fuel cell project
While it's certainly debatable whether beer is to thank for the explosion in the consumer electronics industry, it looks like we'll be thanking the beverage without hesitation for making our world a little greener. Oddly enough, "scientists and Australian beer maker Foster's are teaming up to generate clean energy from brewery waste water by using sugar-consuming bacteria," and better yet, the University of Queensland will host a microbial fuel cell at a Foster's Group brewery near Brisbane. Essentially, the cell will consume brewery wastes such as sugar, starch, and alcohol, while producing clean electricity by harnessing the energy released from the organic materials coming in. The device is expected to produce two-kilowatts of power, and while hopes are to bring the technology to other breweries and wineries around the country, this iteration should crank up sometime in September.[Via Physorg, thanks Michael T.]
Powerless filtration system increases fuel cell efficiency
While we've been seeing methanol fuel cells pop up in all kinds of concept devices for a while now, there have been precious few actual shipping products that get their juice on with a fuel cell. That might be slowly changing, as a research team at the National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan has come up with a novel filtration system that increases the efficiency of methanol cells to potentially usable levels. The system, which is 10 times more efficient than conventional waste pumps, features a series of 100 50-micron holes that allow waste CO2 to escape out of the cell, while excess water is pulled off by a hydrophobic Teflon ramp (boy do we love those hydrophobic Teflon ramps!) that drives H20 molecules away from the methanol and into a collector. Since this method doesn't require any power to work, it's well-suited to cell phones and laptops, as the cells can be made smaller and quieter. While this doesn't mean we'll be seeing fuel cell Zunes anytime soon, you can bet those guys in Texas with the booze-powered robots just crossed a big X off their dev charts.(Photo is of an unrelated Toshiba fuel cell concept.)[Via DailyTech]
Hydrogen fuel cell powered Hyfish jet takes flight
It 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.
Zune 2.0 to feature a fuel cell recharger?
Read that headline carefully, it says fuel-cell recharger, not battery. Unfortunately, this promising, refillable battery replacement technology is still far too bulky to squeeze into ultra slim portable electronics. Still, New York-based Medis Technologies was caught boasting about their sale of Microsoft-branded fuel-cell rechargers. Unfortunately, CEO Robert Lifton declined to comment on how many of their 24/7 Power Packs were purchased by Microsoft or how they would be used. The device itself, however will recharge or provide (unspecified) extended use for portable electronics -- you know, like the Zune. So don't be surprised to find this ugly duck offered as an accessory later in the year... in brown of course, perhaps with watermelon trim. [Via Yahoo, thanks Mike]
Questionable report claims Hummer is greener than Prius
You won't have to look too hard in order to find a report or two claiming that hybrid vehicles aren't as miraculous as they are oftentimes portrayed, but when a recent article declared that Toyota's flagship hybrid was more taxing on the environment than a Hummer, you've got to wonder what's going on. Incredibly, the questionable findings from CNW Marketing stated that GM's gas guzzler only cost about $1.95 per mile to put on the road, while the Prius rang up $3.25 per mile in order to hit the pavement. Reportedly, these zany numbers include all production costs -- which supposedly run around 50-percent higher on the hybrid -- but the story started to smell fishy when we found that the per-mile statistics were based on a 100,000-mile Prius and a 300,000-mile Hummer, which seems to be a stretch in both directions. Currently, there seems to be a huge amount of skepticism surrounding the bold figures, and until the testers place both vehicles on a level playing field from the start, we doubt those discrepancies will fade anytime soon.[Via Slashdot]
GM prepping Chevy Sequel fuel cell vehicle for 2010
After fifty or so years of waiting for electric cars to hit the mainstream "in the next few years or so," it's kind of crazy to actually have working and practical electronic cars among us. So naturally, now we're required to start pinning our hopes on the so-far-elusive dream of fuel cell vehicles, and GM is helping our future lust along with its new Chevy Sequel fuel cell prototype, which was heretofore a loosely defined "GM Sequel" concept. Slated for production in 2010, the Sequel shares traits aplenty with GM's Chevy Volt, specifically the shared electric motor for the front wheels, with in-hub motors for both rear wheels. The Sequel also uses lithium-ion batteries, regenerative braking and a third-gen GM fuel cell. Two running Sequels already exist, and GM will be building 100 fuel cell-powered Chevy Equinoxes for large scale trials of the technology this year.
Medis Technologies unveils portable fuel cell power pack
Yeah, we won't even need fuel cells as soon as EEStor's miracle-working ultracapacitor-based battery system starts powering the world at large, but until then, we're still fielding applications for alternative sources of juice. Medis Technologies has introduced a fuel cell for your pocket, which provides auxiliary power for cellphones, DAPs / PMPs, PDAs, digicams, and pretty much anything else that relies on an internal, rechargeable battery. Touted as being "years ahead of its time," this self-proclaimed must-have gadget works off a Direct Liquid Fuel Cell (DLFC), and can supposedly provide up to 30 hours of talk time to any mobile, and between 60 and 80 hours of playback time for your iPod. Of course, there are no hard details promising us when we'll see this portable power unit, nor any indication of how expensive it'll be when it finally lands, but if lofty life claims turn out to be true, it might not be too shabby.[Via PocketPCThoughts]
Researchers develop closed hydrogen fuel cell system
If EEStor's elaborate claims are to be believed, we suppose all these other fuel alternatives should just hang up the gloves while they're at it, but just in case things don't pan out so well, we suppose the continued research in hydrogen fuel cell power isn't such a bad idea. Although we've seen glimpses of hydrogen-powered vehicles (and um, crafts) in the past, most of these modes of transportation have been large-scale, and now it seems that a closed system has been crafted which would make these techniques suitable for more diminutive applications such as chainsaws and lawnmowers. The research team has reportedly found a way to better control the way the fuel is used, thus eliminating the need for costly recycling stations, and they insinuate that their findings are "ideal" for devices currently using small internal combustion engines that lack emissions controls. Of course, the system has yet to be broadly trialed, but if things go as planned, there's even hopes to link several of the new cells together to rival the power of cells currently being tested in the automotive industry.
Samsung shows off fuel cell dock with one month of laptop power
A beautiful, harmonious future of fuel cell power providing ample juice to our various portable devices just got one step closer, with Samsung announcing a largish laptop dock that can squeeze a whole month of power out of a single fuel cell cartridge. Samsung is parading the setup with a Q35 ultraportable, and while we're sure some laptops will up the power requirements and fall a bit short of that month, the new fuel cell is still quite impressive. Samsung claims the 650Wh/L energy density is roughly four times that of competing offerings, and that the noise level has been reduced to that of a normal notebook computer, which had apparently been a large obstacle to commercialization. Samsung is also prepping a mini version of the fuel cell which uses around a coffee cup's worth of fuel, but can still power a laptop for over 15 hours. Safety standards are still in the works for the new tech, but it looks like Samsung is rearing to go, and they're planning to launch this dock at the end of 2007.[Via Akihabara]
