to Fuel Cell Problems

Perhaps the greatest thing since the indelible French Fry, a researcher in France has found a way to increase the efficiency of methanol fuel cells to 75%. As the world becomes more dependent upon electronic devices and their short-lived lithium ion batteries, the potential for fuel cells in handheld devices like phones and mp3 players has opened many eyes.

While the milliwattts per square centimeter and microliters per minute of fuel mean nothing to the average consumer, the facts can be boiled down to a battery that is 16 times more energy effective than conventional batteries.

This new methanol fuel cell was created by injecting a microscopic, porous layer into the silicone based product, which increased energy flow and allowed for operation nearer to room temperature, a necessary step towards fuel cell powered devices.

When picturing fuel cells, many people envision large pumps, transferring changed partials to create power. These new methanol products eliminate these cumbersome pumps, allowing for smaller, more portable options.

Unfortunately, these new fuel cells cannot solve an issue that has plagued the everyday use of fuel cells. Currently, fuel cells need temperatures of around 100 Celsius (the boiling point of water) to produce any power. While closer to this level, even methanol powered cells cannot fully accomplish this goal.

Perhaps with methanol fuel cells and another innovation allowing for creation of energy at lower temperatures, we may see fuel cells, in our cell phones in a near future.