| Topic: |
Science > Physics |
| User: |
"Sam Wormley" |
| Date: |
08 Jun 2005 09:40:51 PM |
| Object: |
Propane powers fuel cells |
Propane powers fuel cells (Jun 8)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/9/6/5
Researchers in the US have made a micro fuel cell that is only about 1
centimeter across but has a power density many times higher than
traditional batteries of the same size. The new device, which is powered
by propane, could be used as a power source for a various medical
devices, laptop computers and cameras (Nature 435 795).
.
|
|
| User: "The Ghost In The Machine" |
|
| Title: Re: Propane powers fuel cells |
09 Jun 2005 12:00:02 AM |
|
|
In sci.physics, Sam Wormley
<swormley1@mchsi.com>
wrote
on Thu, 09 Jun 2005 02:40:51 GMT
<T_Npe.28383$x96.3598@attbi_s72>:
Propane powers fuel cells (Jun 8)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/9/6/5
Researchers in the US have made a micro fuel cell that is only about 1
centimeter across but has a power density many times higher than
traditional batteries of the same size. The new device, which is powered
by propane, could be used as a power source for a various medical
devices, laptop computers and cameras (Nature 435 795).
OK, dumb question: where's the propane tank? Is it part of
the cell or externally attached?
Nice idea but it, like its alcohol counterpart (or was it diesel?)
is currently characterized as an explosive device and therefore
cannot be placed on board an airliner -- which makes its use for
pacemakers problematic.
Ideally, they'd make one that works on *blood* sugar. (There's
one that works on glucose but it probably has to be rather pure.)
Then, of course, one can do some interesting things.
[1] Cell phones that never need battery replacement -- just eat
some extra pasta occasionally.
[2] Did I mention these make great locator beacons in case one
gets lost?
[3] The government of course will want to install one in each
and every human by the age of about 2, along with the
social security number and a few other tracking devices,
purely, of course, for one's benefit as a citizen of this
great society of the freeest country in the world, Oceania --
erm, I mean, the United Empire Of America. But think of
the convenience for the Internal Revenue Service!
[4] With some modifications one could conceivably turn this device
into a chemical sniffer/auto-notification device. While you're
getting high on that spliff, nodule, or ampoule the government
can get an emergency alert and send either a black-and-white,
an ambulance, a coroner, or a SWAT team as appropriate (the last
if the device can detect gunpowder breathed in through the lungs,
or traces of known psychotics/hallucinogens such as PCP).
[5] Once soma is perfected (or maybe just a good strong
tranquillizer suitable for use on rampaging African
Elephants), and can be synthesized quickly in the
battery unit, an effective crowd/individual control
technique presents itself. It makes tazers look sick.
Press a button and within moments the individual
drops senseless (though still alive, unless he cracks
his head on the pavement). Perfect for those ornery
webbloggers who might be a little to critical of the
United Empire of America, which by then will probably
negotiate with the Chinese to sell the rights to this
unit world-wide. And of course one can also administer
truth drug by an alternate circuit. Perfect for anyone
who might be 99% honest about loving Big Sibling.
Another possibility is an artificially-induced
euphoria, so that one can in fact love Big Sibling.
[6] External units, similar to the cell phones now
available except that they'd be on the Virtual
Information Network, a 100% safe and secure network
that would allow for the detection of large animals
(mosquitors unfortunately fly under the radar), would
allow for an automatic darting of any large bear --
or humans without a device as specified in [5] -- if
it comes too close. Once darted, the animal drops
senseless and the authorities can rush in, tag it
(or install a control unit), and send it on its way.
[7] Just in time for liberals -- a hate speech detector. This
would be similar to [4], except that the chemicals associated
with hate (most likely variants of epinephrine) would be
sniffed for. Don't get too passionate.
[8] Another possibility if one is feeling extremely sadistic
and has a few extra transistors -- instead of a euphoric,
synthesize a doloric. The idea here would be to push
pain through each and every possible nerve ending in the
body -- and presumably would be used in lieu of jail time
for offenders. Since the pain is likely to last for
several hours (the body simply can't flush it that quickly),
this is probably something to be used only occasionally.
Gosh, what a perfect strawman society, eh? :-) (And good thing, too!)
--
#191, -- what's Orwell got that I haven't got?
It's still legal to go .sigless.
.
|
|
|
| User: "Ian Stirling" |
|
| Title: Re: Propane powers fuel cells |
09 Jun 2005 12:42:50 PM |
|
|
The Ghost In The Machine <ewill@sirius.athghost7038suus.net> wrote:
<snip>
Ideally, they'd make one that works on *blood* sugar. (There's
one that works on glucose but it probably has to be rather pure.)
Then, of course, one can do some interesting things.
[1] Cell phones that never need battery replacement -- just eat
some extra pasta occasionally.
[n+1] Overweight?
Plug in to the mains overnight, and give some back to the grid.
.
|
|
|
|
|
| User: "Uncle Al" |
|
| Title: Re: Propane powers fuel cells |
09 Jun 2005 01:36:44 PM |
|
|
Sam Wormley wrote:
Propane powers fuel cells (Jun 8)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/9/6/5
Researchers in the US have made a micro fuel cell that is only about 1
centimeter across but has a power density many times higher than
traditional batteries of the same size. The new device, which is powered
by propane, could be used as a power source for a various medical
devices, laptop computers and cameras (Nature 435 795).
"The fuel and oxygen mixture is partially oxidised in an exothermic
reaction that heats the fuel cell up to between 500 and 600°C."
Cigarette lighters are illegally searched and seized at airports.
--
Uncle Al
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/
(Toxic URL! Unsafe for children and most mammals)
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/qz.pdf
.
|
|
|
| User: "Ian Stirling" |
|
| Title: Re: Propane powers fuel cells |
09 Jun 2005 07:05:03 PM |
|
|
Uncle Al <UncleAl0@hate.spam.net> wrote:
Sam Wormley wrote:
Propane powers fuel cells (Jun 8)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/9/6/5
Researchers in the US have made a micro fuel cell that is only about 1
centimeter across but has a power density many times higher than
traditional batteries of the same size. The new device, which is powered
by propane, could be used as a power source for a various medical
devices, laptop computers and cameras (Nature 435 795).
"The fuel and oxygen mixture is partially oxidised in an exothermic
reaction that heats the fuel cell up to between 500 and 600?C."
Cigarette lighters are illegally searched and seized at airports.
Airports are typically run by private companies.
They can require you to paint your belly button blue, and grease yourself
with aardvark grease, before allowing you to fly if they wish.
.
|
|
|
| User: "" |
|
| Title: Re: Propane powers fuel cells |
09 Jun 2005 07:41:43 PM |
|
|
Ian Stirling <root@mauve.demon.co.uk> wrote:
Uncle Al <UncleAl0@hate.spam.net> wrote:
Sam Wormley wrote:
Propane powers fuel cells (Jun 8)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/9/6/5
Researchers in the US have made a micro fuel cell that is only about 1
centimeter across but has a power density many times higher than
traditional batteries of the same size. The new device, which is powered
by propane, could be used as a power source for a various medical
devices, laptop computers and cameras (Nature 435 795).
"The fuel and oxygen mixture is partially oxidised in an exothermic
reaction that heats the fuel cell up to between 500 and 600?C."
Cigarette lighters are illegally searched and seized at airports.
Airports are typically run by private companies.
They can require you to paint your belly button blue, and grease yourself
with aardvark grease, before allowing you to fly if they wish.
Airport security in the US is mismanaged by the TSA which provides
eye wash to prove something is being done.
--
Jim Pennino
Remove .spam.sux to reply.
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
