A Look at Fuel Cell Technology With Intelligent Energy's 'Upp' Hydrogen Power Pack for iPhone

[Gizmotoy]

Because that's not how fuel cells work. Water is not the fuel. It is a product of the reaction along with electricity.

It can be both, actually. Hydrogen is just the storage mechanism. You can use PEM electrolysis to break water in oxygen and hydrogen. Then you can use that hydrogen in a fuel cell, which produces electricity and water. It's terribly inefficient, but it does work, and may be attractive if you have a source of cheap renewable electricity (like home solar panels).

Presumably that's what he was referring to when he said that. Distilled water + a PEM electrolysis machine would allow you to refill the cartridges at home, which you then take with you when you travel.

 

[cameronjpu]

I actually think the price is reasonable for an emergency situation or taking camping.

Until you compare it to how much it would cost and weigh to get a similar 5 charges from a normal battery pack. Or conversely - how many charges you would get if you paid the same amount for batteries - probably around 50 charges instead of 5.

 

[SoAnyway]

I hope this thing is reinforced because I'd be very afraid of this exploding in my pocket.

 

[6836838]

These things are HUGE and heavy! You're better off buying a coffee in Starbucks and finding a power outlet for half an hour.

Great technology, but pretty pointless. A great example of over-engineering something that isn't really a real problem.

 

[wilhoitm]

These things are HUGE and heavy! You're better off buying a coffee in Starbucks and finding a power outlet for half an hour.

Great technology, but pretty pointless. A great example of over-engineering something that isn't really a real problem.

I wouldn't call it over-engineering, I would call it under-engineering! Hydrogen powers the Sun so why is it only 5 charges? We need a major breakthrough or something! It should be like 1000 charges! 🙁

 

[tirerim]

I wouldn't call it over-engineering, I would call it under-engineering! Hydrogen powers the Sun so why is it only 5 charges? We need a major breakthrough or something! It should be like 1000 charges! 🙁

Yes, and when someone invents Mr. Fusion they will be extremely rich. Until then, we're limited to chemical energy, which has a much lower capacity than fusion.

 

[albusseverus]

Hydrogen and fuel cells are just fossil fuels in disguise. There's little less waste than cheaper fossil fuel methods (especially when you count cracking the hydrogen out of the gas/oil in the first place) and this needs to be nipped in the bud as quickly as possible.

Biggest problem with hydrogen cars is the fuel leaks and when a celebrity wants to take their hydrogen car out for a drive, the car company comes to their home and fills the tank. I have to wonder if the situation isn't the same here. There must be leakage and deterioration over time.

Fuel Cells are not an answer. It's the fossil fuel industry's clean face it's dirty secret. Solar is pretty much on parity with fossil fuels now, don't be distracted.

 

[tirerim]

Hydrogen and fuel cells are just fossil fuels in disguise. There's little less waste than cheaper fossil fuel methods (especially when you count cracking the hydrogen out of the gas/oil in the first place) and this needs to be nipped in the bud as quickly as possible.

Biggest problem with hydrogen cars is the fuel leaks and when a celebrity wants to take their hydrogen car out for a drive, the car company comes to their home and fills the tank. I have to wonder if the situation isn't the same here. There must be leakage and deterioration over time.

Fuel Cells are not an answer. It's the fossil fuel industry's clean face it's dirty secret. Solar is pretty much on parity with fossil fuels now, don't be distracted.

It all depends on where the fuels come from. Solar power can be used to produce fuel for fuel cells -- that's what Kraftwerk is selling to go with their charger. Lots of electricity still comes from coal, so that's not exactly a panacea either.

 

[TheFluffyDuck]

When I see a product like this, it reinforces batteries over hydrogen for me. This is a far less elegant solution.

All hail the electric car!

 

[Doomtomb]

this seems pretty dumb. like I don't see how this concept could pass the first stage of questioning amongst colleagues, much less make it to the stage of a product and a company ready to launch it.

You're gonna use an app.... to locate fuel cells... to charger your iPhone. Seriously. You really expect me to do that? And this helps the environment? What if my phone is already dead, I sure can't use that app to locate your damn fuel cell stations. And why not just say.... LOOK FOR AN OUTLET

 

[brueck]

Right now, the only useful role fuel cells have to play is for stationary solar power storage devices.

 

[2010mini]

Yeah, this doesn't look like a great product. Here's a much better portable fuel cell implementation, though it will be a little while before it's out: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/265641170/kraftwerk-highly-innovative-portable-power-plant

Holds a lot more energy, refillable with lighter fuel, cheaper, and still much higher energy density than a battery (i.e. it weighs a lot less).

wow, that is actually pretty cool.

 

[Olly c]

I brought it and was dissapointed by it

I brought it and returned it find out why in my review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An3zSHK9VB4

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It comes in a lovely apple style box https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL4wHgVoVPI

 

[extricated]

Certainly not mature (cost-effective, ready for mass adoption), but I am glad to see companies venturing into this tech. It's exciting to think about what we may see in the "not-so-distant future".

Did anyone else immediately have the Mystery Science Theater 3000 theme song pop into their heads when reading this?

+1

 

[v3rlon]

Hydrogen and fuel cells are just fossil fuels in disguise. There's little less waste than cheaper fossil fuel methods (especially when you count cracking the hydrogen out of the gas/oil in the first place) and this needs to be nipped in the bud as quickly as possible.

Biggest problem with hydrogen cars is the fuel leaks and when a celebrity wants to take their hydrogen car out for a drive, the car company comes to their home and fills the tank. I have to wonder if the situation isn't the same here. There must be leakage and deterioration over time.

Fuel Cells are not an answer. It's the fossil fuel industry's clean face it's dirty secret. Solar is pretty much on parity with fossil fuels now, don't be distracted.

Not at all. Fuel cells have a specific advantage over battery-based technology in that they offer full power regardless of how much fuel is left. Ever notice how performance degrades on electric motors when the battery is weak (drill, car, and so on)? The performance figures for Tesla cars, while very impressive, represent a full charge. Take your gasoline car out with a quarter tank and you will actually get better performance (gas is 6 lbs/ gallon and the car weighs less).

Also, refueling is still faster than recharging. Super-capacitors may solve this problem or may not. research continues there. Not everyone needs, wants, or even can live next to public transportation.

 

[Mindbenderz]

I think this technology could be very promising. I understand that comparisons with current battery based alternatives are not overwhelming, but there are a few additional points to consider.

First, this is essentially "bottled energy". The cell and the fuel are separate devices (as opposed to a battery which is a single component). By tacking on another "bottle" of energy you're off again - never any need to get near a socket, nor to spend a long time there.

Second, you will see dramatic improvements in the power density of this product. This is version 1. Studies on fuel cells show that you can achieve many times greater gravimetric and volumetric density than lithium ion. So we should see a more advanced version that is much smaller and lighter AND carries around multiple times more energy than battery pack equivalent.

Third if you look at ieh website, they reference prototype laptops that have an INTEGRATED fuel cell. This would be a route to mobile devices with many times greater onboard power than is possible with current batteries and no external charger. Exciting stuff, potentially.

 

[jsnuff1]

I don't understand the logic this company is operating on. Why not charge a lot more for the device and allow users to refill the tank with distilled water?

Because it does not run on water, it runs on compressed hydrogen, and produces water as a byproduct.

Hydrogen is produce from water, but thats a whole other process which requires a lot of energy.

 

[nsayer]

My God, it's HUGE!

 

[marco114]

My God, it's HUGE!

thats what she said

 

[Keirasplace]

Hydrogen and fuel cells are just fossil fuels in disguise. There's little less waste than cheaper fossil fuel methods (especially when you count cracking the hydrogen out of the gas/oil in the first place) and this needs to be nipped in the bud as quickly as possible.

Biggest problem with hydrogen cars is the fuel leaks and when a celebrity wants to take their hydrogen car out for a drive, the car company comes to their home and fills the tank. I have to wonder if the situation isn't the same here. There must be leakage and deterioration over time.

Fuel Cells are not an answer. It's the fossil fuel industry's clean face it's dirty secret. Solar is pretty much on parity with fossil fuels now, don't be distracted.

Actually, it is not fossil fuel in disguise. You'd know that if you saw the many ways it can be produced from water (with or some organic sludge). Energy density has improved a lot and is much much higher than can be had with batteries of any kind right now.

Toyota's Mirai Hybrid Electricity/Fuel cell is an interesting solution to current battery issues.

 

[WaxedJacket]

I could really only see this being used in remote locations. Weeks worth of charges is pretty cool

 

[paul00]

Because it does not run on water, it runs on compressed hydrogen, and produces water as a byproduct.

Hydrogen is produce from water, but thats a whole other process which requires a lot of energy.

Electrolysis of water isn't actually that big of a deal and you can buy a small hydrolizer for refilling hydrogen.

Brunton actually offers the whole 'solution' - the portable USB charger that runs on hydrogen, hydrogen cartridges and a home hydrolizer for refilling those cartridges.


The only reason this company doesn't offer that is the razors & blades business model. They don't want you to make your own hydrogen. They want you to buy their overpriced refills instead.

 

[burne]

Electrolysis of water

You are responding to 'news' from february.

 

[paul00]

You are responding to 'news' from february.

Thought I was replying to a post on the home page... sorry

 

[satcomer]

You could be up to 20 miles from a 3G cell tower. And 20 miles is a decent walk.

I have walk about 25 miles while in the US Army and once walking with some Brits too, in the South Pacific. 🙂