[breez]

Toshiba has announced two digital audio players which use methanol fuel cells in place of traditional batteries. A flash player with 3.5ml tank and 35h of play time and a HD player with 10ml and a whopping 60 hours!

The technology will be seen in commercial market in 2007.

Press release: http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2005_09/pr1601.htm

Seems like a winner technology to me and not just for portable DAPs, but digital cameras and portable PCs too.

Discuss!

 

[Homeless]

that's cool, what's the cost on the fuel? thats what i like about built in batteries, just recharge...but it seems like a cool idea...is it flamable though?

 

[wowie11]

Methanol is pretty volatile by nature, so I'm going to have to say that it's pretty flammable

 

[jmr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wowie11 Methanol is pretty volatile by nature, so I'm going to have to say that it's pretty flammable

And toxic too.

 

[kin0kin]

so is the gasoline used in your car

 

[kyrie]

Does that mean that carbon dioxide and water vapor will be spouting from your player while it's playing?

That somehow seems way cool.

 

[Pumpkin72]

If only it was ethanol... something like a bourbon powered DAP would be really cool

 

[Feanor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkin72 If only it was ethanol... something like a bourbon powered DAP would be really cool

Maaaaaaaan, that would be the best!!!! Music AND Booze.

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feanor Maaaaaaaan, that would be the best!!!! Music AND Booze.

"Boozic"

 

[notnormal]

There's a problem when you have to re-fill the tank. Depending on the safety standards, consumers may be forced to take the tanks to special re-fill stations. That would be very inconvenient. That plan was to allow consumers to buy re-fill packs but that may not happen because of the volatility of methanol.

 

[sonick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkin72 If only it was ethanol... something like a bourbon powered DAP would be really cool

hehe, kinda like homer and him imagining the alcohol powered car:
"one for you, one for me, one for you, one for me"

 

[LFC_SL]

If they made it not going to spill into electronics, and easy to re-fill I'm all for it

 

[gerG]

There is research into a direct ethanol powered fuel cell. It may happen.

From the methanol cell, emissions are indeed CO2, water vapor, and heat. In fact these things will make about twice as much heat as electricity (although they hope to get up to 40% efficiency). Probably a nice thing in cold climates.


gerG

 

[viator122]

What if it were a user-refillable tank, like refillable butane lighters?

 

[kin0kin]

and I guess you will not be able to bring them on a plane.............