Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Fuel Cell laptops
Long before fuel cell cars hit the road, NEC wants to unveil fuel cell laptops. The BBC writes that the early versions can keep a laptop running for about 5 hours, while later versions promise up to 40 hours between refills. The small fuel cell is powered by 300 cubic centimetres (half a pint) of methanol and uses a catalyst to break this down into oxygen and hydrogen and generates heat and power as by-products. On its own, the fuel cell weighs 0.9 kilograms (1.98 pounds) but adds 2 kg (4.5 lb) to the weight of a laptop when built-in.
I wonder how much this technology will add to the cost of the laptop. As it is, the additional 2 kgs does not sound good at all.
I wonder how much this technology will add to the cost of the laptop. As it is, the additional 2 kgs does not sound good at all.
