Apple is exploring innovative fuel cell stack configurations for use in its highly successful portable consumer electronics, four newly published patent applications can reveal. The patent applications carry a surprisingly strong socio-political message that shows sincerity in Apple’s interest in powering their devices more sustainably.
Genport srl – Spinoff of Politecnico di Milano has been honoured through its selection to the final of the Eurecan European Venture Contest from 987 applications from 24 countries throughout 2010. 449 ICT, Cleantech and Healthcare companies were first selected by experts to present at one of 15 qualifying events across Europe. The Top 150 were then identified after review by over 120 European Experts (online and live) at the European Venture Summit representing funds such as Earlybird Venture Capital, Philips Healthcare Incubator and Veraventure Oy. The Final of the Contest is sponsored by Corporaccion Can and Microsoft and supported by Barcelona Activa. The winner will receive recognition as one of the most innovative companies at an international level and a prize of 30,000 euro per stream. Many of the previous finalists have successfully raised capital and expanded their business.
Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies recently introduced a palm-size universal portable power charger and power extender for ANY electronic device requiring up to 2W of power. Devices compatible with the MiniPak include cell-phones, smartphones, GPS handhelds, and MP3 players. New opportunities also exist to disconnect hundreds of practical USB powered “apps” from PCs and laptops and bring them with you in off-grid settings. These include a number of creative USB lighting devices, USB fans, USB speaker systems for MP3 players or smart phones, and many more. The MiniPAK device integrates a passive air-breathing fuel cell and a metal hydride storage unit, where hydrogen is stored as part of the metal alloy. The MiniPak DC power output is 2W (5V, 400mA), delivered through standard micro-USB port and a multi-choice cable. The device is supplied with 2 refillable and ready to use solid state hydrogen cartridges. While a cartridge replacement and filling infrastructure develops, Horizon took the extra step to develop a home refueling system called “HydroFILL” – sold as a separate accessory for added convenience. The MiniPAK is positioned to address gaps in providing energy “on the go” to power-hungry device users, as well as a low cost energy storage option for [...]
The Belgian Architect Vincent Callebaut has presented an innovative project for Self-Sufficient BioHydrogen Cities, aiming to provide alternative sustainable transportation and fuel involving zero-emission airships and powered by bio-hydrogen fuel generated from seaweed breed in the algae farm, which is part of the project. The project is designed for Shanghai. The project consists of emergency housings, algae farm, scientific laboratories, bio-hydrogen airship and the problem of solving the increasing cost of freight in the nearest future. According to researchers a hectare of seaweeds could produce 120 times more biofuel than a hectare of sunflower or soya. In addition, a farm with seaweeds is a real miniature biochemical power station that is capable of absorbing CO2 as main nutrient by photosynthesis and produce hydrogen in bioreactors. Source: Concept Mobiles
Swedish researchers from Lund University are developing a system of high-efficiency production of hydrogen from waste, using a mechanism similar to that for producing biogas. This is thanks to a bacterium called Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus, which is capable of producing twice more hydrogen then other bacteria do. According to the researcher Karin Willquist, the efficiency of the process would be ensured by the ability of the bacterium to withstand toughest conditions, such as higher temperature and pressure . Source: Alphagalileo
Israeli scientists and entrepreneurs claim to have brought hydrogen energy a step forward by putting it in much smaller, lighter containers. Rather than using metal or composite cylinders of compressed gas, hydrogen is packed into glass filaments which, once out of the lab, will be only slightly thicker than a human hair. These 370 glass capillaries are bundled into a glass tube called a capillary array, about the width of a drinking straw. The scientists say 11,000 such arrays will fuel a car for 400 kilometres, take less than half the space and weight of tanks currently installed in the few hydrogen cars now available. “We have shown new materials that can store more hydrogen than any other system,” says Dan Eliezer, chief scientist of C.En Ltd, the company based in Geneva, Switzerland, where the Israelis are developing their invention. Visit the C.En Ltd website to learn more about the new technology
A research firm has estimated Japan’s market for fuel cells will expand 99-fold from fiscal 2009 to 1.61 trillion yen in fiscal 2025 due to uptake of the technology for housing and vehicles. Fuel cell systems for housing will serve as a driving force for the market until fiscal 2018 before the spread of fuel cell vehicles in competition with hybrid gasoline-electric and electric cars, the Fuji-Keizai Group says in a recent survey report. The market is estimated to expand from 16.3 billion yen in fiscal 2009 ending this month to 99.6 billion yen in fiscal 2015 and exceed 300 billion yen in 2020, supported by growing demand for fuel cell systems for housing. As the fuel cell vehicle diffusion gains momentum later, fuel cell demand may reach 990 billion yen for automobiles and 507 billion yen for housing in fiscal 2025. Fuel cells for vehicles and housing may thus account for more than 90% of the market in fiscal 2025. The remaining fuel cells may be used for mobile phones and other portable machines. Source: Fuelcellworks
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The first italian Grand Prix for hydrogen racing karts took place in Turin on October 10th and 11th as part of the Eco-Efficiency Biennial 2009. Four teams of engineering students from some of the leading technology universities across Europe took part in the competition: Unizartech2, University of Saragozza (Spain); Greenchoice Forze, University of Technology, Delft (The Netherlands); Imperial Racing Green, Imperial College, London (Great Britain) and Solvay Umicore Zero Emission Racing Team, Leuven Engineering School (Belgium). Greenchoice Forze won the competition. The kart has a top speed of 120 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5 seconds. The constant power of 8 kW (11hp) to drive the two electric motor is delivered by a fuel cell. The only waste product is pure water. Source: AutoZine and Forum Italiano dell’Idrogeno
SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG has launched the new EFOY Pro 2200 fuel cell into the European market. The EFOY Pro 2200 provides reliable, maintenance-free power generation for off-grid industrial systems. With 38 percent more power than the EFOY Pro 1600 and a charging capacity of 2200 Wh per day. Like all other products in the EFOY Pro Series, the EFOY Pro 2200 offers maximum flexibility and can be installed in numerous off-grid applications. The fuel cells can also be seamlessly combined with other energy sources, such as solar panels. Power supply can be managed remotely through text messaging or via computer.
