Breakthrough in "cool" fuel cells promises revolution in high density power production

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Imagine powering your notebook computer from a micro fuel cell the size of a cube of sugar. Consider the possibility of powering your entire home with a power plant the size of two soda cans. This is the potential of a breakthrough in fuel cells called "thin-film solid oxide fuel cells," or SOFCs. These thin-film solid oxide fuel cells are currently being developed at the University of Houston. They demonstrate remarkable properties for generating electricity without the high temperatures required by today's fuel cells, and without the need for taking up the space that's currently required by commercial fuel cells.

These thin-film fuel cells can be manufactured and put into production in very tiny spaces. We're talking about something that's half the size of an AA battery being able to power an entire computer, and to do it for hours on end. Even more importantly, these fuel cells operate at much higher energy efficiency than current electrical production and distribution systems. For example, a household running on such a fuel cell would operate at 65% efficiency -- that's the conversion of electrical potential in hydrogen to usable electricity -- rather than the more typical 30-35% efficiency offered by industrial power plants.

The applications for these miniature fuel cells are, of course, widespread: consumer electronics, portable computing, practical robots, medical devices, space exploration, personal transportation, power for remote sites, emergency power backup systems, and so on. The emergence of this technology is yet one more example of the new wave of portable power technologies we're witnessing today. It is truly an exciting time for this technology, and its development appears to be quite rapid. The sooner these technologies can be commercialized and brought to market as consumer products, the better; because today's power technology (batteries) is woefully inadequate.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and technology pioneer with a strong interest in personal health, the environment and the power of nature to help us all heal He has authored more than 1,500 articles and dozens of reports, guides and interviews on natural health topics, 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 2007, Adams launched EcoLEDs, a maker of energy efficient LED lights that greatly reduce CO2 emissions. He also founded an environmentally-friendly online retailer called BetterLifeGoods.com that uses retail profits to help support consumer advocacy programs. He's also a successful software entrepreneur, having founded a well known email marketing software company whose technology currently powers the NaturalNews email newsletters. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and practices nature photography, Capoeira, Pilates and organic gardening. He's also author of numerous health books published by Truth Publishing and is the creator of several consumer-oriented grassroots campaigns, including the Spam. Don't Buy It! campaign, and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. He also created the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the ending of corporate control over medicines, genes and seeds. Known as the 'Health Ranger,' Adams' personal health statistics and mission statements are located at www.HealthRanger.org

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