Advances in Fuel Cell Devices

These ultra small fuel cells are really a very impressive step forward for small scale fuel cells, but it seems likely that it is mainly an advance in theoretical design, more to prove that the technology can function on a small scale rather than be implemented successfully.

The part which says that the pumps may use more energy than the fuel cell creates may seem worrisome at first, but if one uses methane instead of methanol, a pump may not be required, since methane will expand on its own into the cell since it is a gas.

These really small ones may find life as watch batteries, or some other very small and low powered applications. This would also be a greener solution, since you could refuel a watch fuel cell with a little bit of methanol instead of a recycling facility having to tear it apart to salvage recyclable materials.

Also, it is important to keep in mind that fuel cells are still a largely experimental, and largely unsupported and unused technology. If and when they really pick up and, say, automotive manufacturers start using large scale fuel cells in their cars, the whole industry will become massively inflated with new business, and they may even get government grants for their research into what is a fairly green technology.