The future of portable power for notebook computers is fast approaching, and it looks promising: batteries will soon be augmented or replaced by more exotic power systems. The two most promising candidates are solar power and micro fuel cells.
Solar cells are seeing a major breakthrough with the ability to print flexible sheets of solar panel material that can be folded like maps or wrapped around other objects (like your notebook). No longer will solar technology be large, heavy and clunky.
Micro fuel cells are also seeing technology breakthroughs even before first-generation fuel cells have appeared on the market. Compared to batteries, micro fuel cells offer extraordinary advantages: 1/20th the weight while delivering as much as ten times the power.
So which technology is better? Solar power wins this designation, since it's free, renewable and clean. But solar power isn't always available, especially if you're working indoors or during evening hours. Micro fuel cells offer portable power anytime, anywhere, albeit at a fixed price per watt: the more power you use, the more you have to pay.
In the end, a hybrid approach seems to be the best: charge your notebook computer with free sunlight when available, but run on fuel cells the rest of the time. Of course, having both power systems in a notebook computer will increase the base cost of the unit, so that's yet another cost penalty for upgrading to modern power technology. But if you're like most notebook computer users, you'll appreciate the 10 - 12 hours of uninterrupted notebook uptime, even if it costs you 25% more than today's notebook computers.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health researcher, author and award-winning journalist with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health He is a prolific writer and has published thousands of articles, interviews, reports and consumer guides, reaching millions of readers with information that is saving lives and improving personal health around the world. Adams is an honest, independent journalist and accepts no money or commissions on the third-party products he writes about or the companies he promotes. In 2010, Adams co-founded NaturalNews.TV, a natural health video sharing site that has now grown in popularity. He's also a noted technology pioneer and founded a software company in 1993 that developed the HTML email newsletter software currently powering the NaturalNews subscriptions. Adams is currently the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. He's also author a large number of health books offered by Truth Publishing and is the creator of numerous reference website including NaturalPedia.com and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. His websites also include the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the innate healing ability of the human body. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org
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Monday, July 19, 2004
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