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New type batteries for the future?
I thought maybe some of you battery fans might be interested in the
article below which was on CityTV Toronto today on a local news website. Cathy "October 25, 2005, Canon is working on a new way to power high-tech devices that could spell the end of traditional batteries. The Japanese company has developed small fuel cells for use in some of its digital cameras and computer printers - it hopes to have the technology ready for the market in three years. Toshiba, NEC and Hitachi are also working on similar fuel cell batteries for the next wave of consumer electronics - which could be used in mobile devices, phones, and laptop computers. Fuel-cell technology combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, and is seen as a likely replacement for today's models of lithium-ion batteries. Canon is one of the globe's top manufacturers of photocopiers and cameras - it's looking for new areas of growth as the digital camera market begins to cool down. While most current fuel cell development employs devices that take hydrogen from methanol, Canon wants to be able to supply hydrogen directly from a refillable cartridge. The company argues the system would be more earth-friendly, since deriving hydrogen from methanol gives off a byproduct of carbon dioxide. Hydrogen-only fuel cells don't. There are three prototypes so far, of different sizes - the largest would likely be used in a printer, the next would fit a digital camera, and the smallest - measuring only 3 cm by 4 cm - is meant for smaller mobile devices. Another potential benefit to fuel cell batteries is that they're expected to last longer than their lithium-ion counterparts. Still, it could be awhile before they make it to market - the prototypes have to be tested, and Canon still has to decide how to sell it, although it'll probably entail refilling the cartridges at company outlets. " CityTV, Toronto,Canada. |
#2
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New type batteries for the future?
Cathy wrote:
I thought maybe some of you battery fans might be interested in the article below which was on CityTV Toronto today on a local news website. Cathy "October 25, 2005, Canon is working on a new way to power high-tech devices that could spell the end of traditional batteries. The Japanese company has developed small fuel cells for use in some of its digital cameras and computer printers - it hopes to have the technology ready for the market in three years. Toshiba, NEC and Hitachi are also working on similar fuel cell batteries for the next wave of consumer electronics - which could be used in mobile devices, phones, and laptop computers. Fuel-cell technology combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, and is seen as a likely replacement for today's models of lithium-ion batteries. Canon is one of the globe's top manufacturers of photocopiers and cameras - it's looking for new areas of growth as the digital camera market begins to cool down. While most current fuel cell development employs devices that take hydrogen from methanol, Canon wants to be able to supply hydrogen directly from a refillable cartridge. The company argues the system would be more earth-friendly, since deriving hydrogen from methanol gives off a byproduct of carbon dioxide. Hydrogen-only fuel cells don't. There are three prototypes so far, of different sizes - the largest would likely be used in a printer, the next would fit a digital camera, and the smallest - measuring only 3 cm by 4 cm - is meant for smaller mobile devices. Another potential benefit to fuel cell batteries is that they're expected to last longer than their lithium-ion counterparts. Still, it could be awhile before they make it to market - the prototypes have to be tested, and Canon still has to decide how to sell it, although it'll probably entail refilling the cartridges at company outlets. " CityTV, Toronto,Canada. Wonder what they plan to do with the water generated by hydrogen fuel cells. I really don't think I want my camera or cell phone to make a puddle on my foot. Grin. -- Ron Hunter |
#3
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New type batteries for the future?
On Wed, 26 Oct 2005 04:02:40 -0500, Ron Hunter wrote:
Wonder what they plan to do with the water generated by hydrogen fuel cells. I really don't think I want my camera or cell phone to make a puddle on my foot. Grin. Now there's an improvement worth talking about. Not many other battery types leak only water. And if you are puddle phobic, don't ever hold a toddler. |
#4
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New type batteries for the future?
"Ron Hunter" wrote in message
... Wonder what they plan to do with the water generated by hydrogen fuel cells. I really don't think I want my camera or cell phone to make a puddle on my foot. Grin. -- Ron Hunter Considering how flammable hydrogen is, I'm not sure I'd want it right by my ear, either... -- Skip Middleton http://www.shadowcatcherimagery.com |
#5
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New type batteries for the future?
"Cathy" wrote in message ... I thought maybe some of you battery fans might be interested in the article below which was on CityTV Toronto today on a local news website. Cathy "October 25, 2005, Canon is working on a new way to power high-tech devices that could spell the end of traditional batteries. The Japanese company has developed small fuel cells for use in some of its digital cameras and computer printers - it hopes to have the technology ready for the market in three years. Toshiba, NEC and Hitachi are also working on similar fuel cell batteries for the next wave of consumer electronics - which could be used in mobile devices, phones, and laptop computers. Fuel-cell technology combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, and is seen as a likely replacement for today's models of lithium-ion batteries. Canon is one of the globe's top manufacturers of photocopiers and cameras - it's looking for new areas of growth as the digital camera market begins to cool down. While most current fuel cell development employs devices that take hydrogen from methanol, Canon wants to be able to supply hydrogen directly from a refillable cartridge. The company argues the system would be more earth-friendly, since deriving hydrogen from methanol gives off a byproduct of carbon dioxide. Hydrogen-only fuel cells don't. There are three prototypes so far, of different sizes - the largest would likely be used in a printer, the next would fit a digital camera, and the smallest - measuring only 3 cm by 4 cm - is meant for smaller mobile devices. Another potential benefit to fuel cell batteries is that they're expected to last longer than their lithium-ion counterparts. Still, it could be awhile before they make it to market - the prototypes have to be tested, and Canon still has to decide how to sell it, although it'll probably entail refilling the cartridges at company outlets. " CityTV, Toronto,Canada. Sounds like an inconvenience if you have to take it someplace to get recharged. What do you do if you need to recharge in the middle of nowhere? I'd hope they last a while in that case. How much longer though? 20%, 50%, 100%?? Rather my lithium ion battery which I can charge in the car if I need to. |
#6
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New type batteries for the future?
Cathy quoted CityTV Toronto:
Canon is working on a new way to power high-tech devices that could spell the end of traditional batteries. Bull. The market for "traditional" batteries will remain HUGE for generations to come - if only due to all the things sold over the past 50 years that use them! Think what market that must mean for AA penlight batteries alone. Fuel cells require OXYGEN to work. Not much good in any current-generation flashlight, radio, or digicam. You can bet that some major manufacturer(s) or importers of traditional batteries will decide to keep that giant, very-profitable market - no matter what small fuel cells come out. No $4 to park! No $6 admission! http://stores.ebay.com/INTERNET-GUN-SHOW |
#7
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New type batteries for the future?
Saw an ad for an LED flashlight that provides lots of light after a 30
second shake. Probably a strong magnet, big coil, diode, charge a big capacitor type thing. Also we now have 30 second wind-up radios that play for half an hour. Will we next see a wind-up or shake me digital camera? Perhaps ordinary batteries are doomed for extinction. |
#8
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New type batteries for the future?
On Wed, 26 Oct 2005 04:02:40 -0500, Ron Hunter
wrote: Wonder what they plan to do with the water generated by hydrogen fuel cells. I really don't think I want my camera or cell phone to make a puddle on my foot. Grin. It's my understanding that the water is produced as a vapor, and it's not very dense (low humidity factor?), so the dew point is very low. -- Bill Funk Replace "g" with "a" funktionality.blogspot.com |
#9
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New type batteries for the future?
On Thu, 27 Oct 2005 00:19:17 +1000, "Jasen"
wrote: Sounds like an inconvenience if you have to take it someplace to get recharged. What do you do if you need to recharge in the middle of nowhere? I'd hope they last a while in that case. How much longer though? 20%, 50%, 100%?? Rather my lithium ion battery which I can charge in the car if I need to. The refillable battery would be removable, so a spare could be carried. A question that might be more important: would we be able to carry this bomb on an aircraft? -- Bill Funk Replace "g" with "a" funktionality.blogspot.com |
#10
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New type batteries for the future?
On 26 Oct 2005 07:35:31 -0700, "
wrote: Cathy quoted CityTV Toronto: Canon is working on a new way to power high-tech devices that could spell the end of traditional batteries. Bull. The market for "traditional" batteries will remain HUGE for generations to come - if only due to all the things sold over the past 50 years that use them! Think what market that must mean for AA penlight batteries alone. Fuel cells require OXYGEN to work. Not much good in any current-generation flashlight, radio, or digicam. You can bet that some major manufacturer(s) or importers of traditional batteries will decide to keep that giant, very-profitable market - no matter what small fuel cells come out. There's oxygen in the air. This won't work? -- Bill Funk Replace "g" with "a" funktionality.blogspot.com |
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