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A group of chemical engineers with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have recently developed a hydrogen fuel cell that measures a measly 3 millimeters across. This means that within the not-too-distant future we could be using gadgets with cheaper, longer lasting, more eco-friendly power sources.
The cell consists of very few parts: a water reservoir, a chamber contain metal hydride separated by a thin membrane with an assembly of electrodes that conduct electricity underneath. And, thanks to the small size of the chip the need for a pump, pressure sensor and controlling electronics were eliminated.
The first models were able to generate 0.7 volts and a current of 0.1 milliamps for about 30 hours. The team does claim that now they’re able to produce 1 full milliamp for the 30 hours at the same voltage.
Image Credit: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Links:
[1] http://www.maximumpc.com/user/andysalisbury
[2] http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16370-worlds-smallest-fuel-cell-promises-greener-gadgets.html
[3] http://illinois.edu/
[4] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/toshiba_shows_off_fuel_cellpowered_internet_viewer
[5] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/are_tiny_netbook_pcs_a_threat_big_manufacturers
[6] http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/handson_with_lenovos_shiny_and_tiny_ideapad_s10
[7] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/consumer_electronics
[8] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/fuel_cell
[9] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/gadget
[10] http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/mobile
[11] http://www.maximumpc.com/articles/news
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