One of my favorite disparaging descriptions of discarded technology (or technology that should be discarded) goes something like this:
Yeah, I was glad to get the new laptop. The old one was one of those steam-powered models.
Rimshot.
But now check this out—a serious proposal for laptops (and other electronic devices) to be powered by methanol, what we use to describe in Kentucky as "wood alkeehol." Methanol fuel cells could provide considerably more lasting power to the average laptop. And if you start to run low on power, apparently you'll be able to just top her off with extra go juice.
Of course, there are obstacles::
Beyond the laws of chemistry, fuel cells face an even tougher obstacle: bureaucracy. Methanol is both toxic and flammable; the US government won't allow passengers to carry it on airplanes. It's also barred by international air travel regulations administered by the United Nations.
But then there are potential remedies:
At least there's been progress on the domestic front. The US Department of Transportation last year approved a portable fuel cell for air travel. Based on technology developed at PolyFuel Inc. of Mountain View, Calif., the cell uses a solution that contains mostly water, and just 24 percent methanol. But until there are industry-wide standards for methanol use on airplanes, small fuel cells probably won't catch on with the mass market.
Wait. Hold the phone. I just had an inspiration. Methanol, you say. Methanol? Hey, why not ethanol? If it's good enough to be added to gasoline in Colorado for six months out of the year for no apparent reason, it's got to be good enough to power a laptop or PDA. Maybe this would help us all feel better about those ethanol subsidies.
Plus, there would be no problem getting ethanol at the required strength onto an airplane. I'll leave it to the experts to check my math, here, but I think that 24 percent alochol is 48 proof. At that rate, you could just ask the flight attendant for one of those little bottles of Absolut if you started running low on power. I'm sure that Stephen Green would disapprove of this use of the precious fluid of life. But, hey, in a pinch...
One thing is for sure: the stark choice road warriors often face on their return flights — fire up the laptop and start on that status report or have another drink — will be clearer than ever.
via KurzweilAI.net
Posted by Phil at November 25, 2003 11:59 AM | TrackBackMethanol has a higher concentration of hydrogen per weight than Ethanol does. Hence, that makes it a better fuel. Methane or of course, pure hydrogen would be even better.
Posted by: Karl Hallowell at November 30, 2003 06:35 AM