quote: The DMFC measures 22mm x 56mm x 4.5mm with a maximum 9.1mm for the central fuel tank, and weighs just 8.5g. According to Toshiba it is efficient enough to power an MP3 music player for as long as 20 hours on a single 2cc charge of highly concentrated methanol.
Is this a good development or a bad development? The waste from a methanol fuel cell includes one molecule of C02 for every molecule of methanol used. If every mobile device is using two cc's of methanol every 20 hours (probably more like ten cc's for a laptop), that's a lot of CO2. However, the methanol cartridges should be easy to refill, creating less solid waste than disposable batteries. It's also a hell of a lot safer than hydrogen gas. I think I'm on the fence on this development.
From: No one is arguing that we should run the space program based on Physics 101. | Registered: Nov 2001
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Cougyr
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3336
posted 25 June 2004 12:14 PM
But, at least someone is thinking of an alternative to petroleum.
From: over the mountain | Registered: Nov 2002
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Briguy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1885
posted 25 June 2004 02:15 PM
I'd like to see them developing workable fuel cells (be they methanol or hydrogen) for cars as well as portable electronic devices. The technology is obviously there if companies are already miniaturizing and mass producing these power packs.
From: No one is arguing that we should run the space program based on Physics 101. | Registered: Nov 2001
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Agent 204
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4668
posted 26 June 2004 09:41 AM
quote:Originally posted by Sarcasmobri: Is this a good development or a bad development? The waste from a methanol fuel cell includes one molecule of C02 for every molecule of methanol used.
True, however methanol can be produced from biomass. In this situation, the production of methanol will consume CO2. Admittedly, not all methanol is produced this way (I think a fair bit comes from fossil fuels) but it at least points the way to a sustainable power source.
I think it's a great idea.
From: home of the Guess Who | Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 25 June 2004 10:29 AM
