Singaporean researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology have devised a way to convert carbon dioxide into clean-burning biofuel methanol, using a safe, non-toxic process. Has mankind defeated the final boss of Global Warming?
Sony’s new concepts for fuel cell batteries come in some interesting flavours, like these speakers-with 70s transistor radio look-that can recharge your phone or multimedia player. Or the fuel-powered, completely-wireless, coffee maker-looking home theatre speaker.
This has been years in the making, but it seems we will be able to get our own fuel-cell-based USB charger by the end of 2009. I still wonder if the FAA will allow these.
Under military funding, a Califorinia company named Ultracell has developed a 25W methanol fuel cell system capable of running a rugged laptop for 8 hours at a time. Using 250cc canisters of methanol (about the weight of a can of Coke), the system can convert the methanol to hydrogen and the hydrogen to electricity.
The US DOT has approved transportation of methanol fuel cell cartridges in your baggage and carry-on luggage, according to one fuel-cell maker. If you’re lucky enough to own a fuel-cell system, you’ll definitely be able to fly with it come October, when the ruling goes into effect. But this ruling only allows you to carry the cells, not use them on the plane. I looked into it, and the FAA, a division of the DOT, is still apparently evaluating the fire hazards associated with in-flight operation.
