Beyond batteries: laptops to be powered by solar power, micro fuel cells

Email this article to a friend

Printable Version

Articles Related to This Article: • Breakthrough in "cool" fuel cells promises revolution in high density power production • Fuel cells, a neglected clean source of energy (press release) • A combination of fuel cells and high-tech batteries could replace the combustion engine in automobiles Support NaturalNews advertisers - Advertise with NaturalNews Help support NaturalNews with health books and educational programs from Truth Publishing: • Swine Flu Advanced Preparedness • 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health • Raw In Ten Minutes (recipes) • How to Halt Diabetes in 25 Days ... and much more.

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.

Share

About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health researcher and author with a mission to teach personal and planetary health to the public He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, impacting the lives of millions of readers around the world who are experiencing phenomenal health benefits from reading his articles. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In 2007, Adams launched EcoLEDs, a maker of super bright LED light bulbs that are 1000% more energy efficient than incandescent lights. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also the CEO of a highly successful email newsletter software company that develops software used to send permission email campaigns to subscribers. Adams is currently the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, and practices nature photography, Capoeira, Pilates and organic gardening.


Get articles like this delivered to you FREE in our popular email newsletter

Related CounterThink Cartoons:

Related Articles: • Breakthrough in "cool" fuel cells promises revolution in high density power production • Fuel cells, a neglected clean source of energy (press release) • A combination of fuel cells and high-tech batteries could replace the combustion engine in automobiles	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/013290_fuel_cells_solar_power_micro_fuel_cells.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial use OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. Embed article link: (copy HTML code below): <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/013290_fuel_cells_solar_power_micro_fuel_cells.html">Beyond batteries: laptops to be powered by solar power, micro fuel cells</a>