Eco Factor: Hydrogen fuel cells for portable electronic devices.
We all want our gadgets to be powered by solar and wind energy, but neither of them seems a feasible source for portable electronics. Until they are made more efficient, fuel cells makes a profitable and energy-efficient source of electricity for our gadgets. Sweden-based myFC has developed a power solution for mobile electronics that will allow users to say goodbye to power cords and toxic batteries.
The company has come up with a fuel cell system small enough to take the place of a conventional lithium battery in portable electronics. Dubbed the FuelCellSticker, the flexible fuel cell is just 0.11-inch thick and weighs just 0.2 ounce. The design makes use of a proton exchange membrane that optimizes power density and efficiency to meet the demands of portable electronic devices and gadgets. The fuel cells readily provide 0.9 watts of power at 0.5 watts and can be connected together to generate as much power as the device needs.
The Dark Side:
The FuelCellSticker seems to be the future of portable power sources. However, hydrogen fuel cells come with their own set of disadvantages, such as the high cost and dangers associated in using hydrogen as a fuel. If the company is able to tackle such problems and deliver the fuel cells at an affordable price, then we might just see a whole new range of green electronic gadgets.
Via: CleanTechnica
