CHECK THIS OUT!

[gr8grizz]

The little thing below is a direct methanol fuel cell made by Toshiba. It can power a laptop for 10 hours and an mp3 player for 20 hours, on only 2 cubic centimeters of methanol. It is in the Guinness book of world records as the smallest fuel cell ever.

Comments

[fredneckteddy]

so you can fill it up with washer fluid?

[gr8grizz]

Well, a slightly stronger variety of methanol, but still very cheap!

[nosato]

I wonder if I could carry it on an airplane to power up my laptop or iPod in the future...just wondering...as airlines consider many chemicals hazardous. Still, fuel cells are very neat stuff.

[gr8grizz]

I am sure you will probably be able to either buy some methanol provided on the plane or just use a plug provided in the aircraft. The amounts needed in the device would NOT be enough to become explosive or burn much at all. Even if their were damage to the cell.

[andrewhime]

Not to piss on the pickle parade, but my understanding was methanol for laptops was a non-starter in part because of issues with methanol on planes. I mean, right now you can't even get a lighter on a plane, even in checked baggage.

Sorry, no cites handy.

[gr8grizz]

Well, I'm sure that you will be able to use the plug provided on an airplane. Also what a lot of people don't know is that their is a large amount of methanol on board airplanes already. Some O2 generators use it as a source of heat to start up.

The amounts I'm talking about are really small. For methanol to burn explosively it has to be precisely mixed with pure oxygen. I am certain their would be enough nitrogen in the atmosphere of an airplane to keep it from becoming explosive. Methanol is also lighter than air, so it would tend to separate and float up where the ventilation usually occurs on airplanes. Heat rises and nobody likes to be too hot.

I also wanted to note that this device is indicated for use in places where electricity isn't as convenient as it is on airplanes.

[gr8grizz]

In an age where people want to be TRULY wireless, I can see Toshiba making a fortune off these little powerhouses. Invest now if you can. A lot of money will be made. Toshiba has the smallest hard drives and now the smallest and longest lasting power source. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them ramp up their microprocessor manufacturing to exceed many of its competitors within the next 10 years.

Apple has had its eye on this product for the last year. They knew about it quite a while back. I think it would be interesting to see what they do with it.

[britcub]

thats pretty damn smart...everyone is gonna want one

[gr8grizz]

Yeah, I know. Thats why I would invest a lot of money in Toshiba if I could.

[britcub]

that would be a smart move too....
however im sure soon enough there will be something else along the lines of what toshiba have made