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Nanometre 'fuses' for high-performance batteries
http://www.x404.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=6842		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  AlunD [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 5:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Nanometre 'fuses' for high-performance batteries
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8556656.stm
Quote:
Minuscule tubes coated with a chemical fuel can act as a power source with 100 times more electrical power by weight than conventional batteries.

This is potentially interesting.
Author:  l3v1ck [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Nanometre 'fuses' for high-performance batteries
It's just a shame you can't recharge them.
Author:  JJW009 [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Nanometre 'fuses' for high-performance batteries
Dr Strano wrote:
a chemical fuel known as cyclotrimethylene trinitramine . . . I'm interested in the fuel cell concept

Fuel cells are potentially far more efficient than rechargeable batteries.

Consider a car. You can either recharge a battery electrically using power currently produced and delivered at around 20% efficiency which may take several hours, or you can fill it up with a primary fuel as conveniently as a petrol car.

However, using RDX as the fuel does sound a little too exciting. You sure as hell would not be allowed such a high explosive on a plane to run your laptop, and I'd be a little worried driving around with enough Semtex under my bum to send me to the moon in atoms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RDX

Of course, high energy density power sources will necessarily be a little dangerous. Lots of power contained in a small place will always carry a risk.
Author:  rustybucket [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Nanometre 'fuses' for high-performance batteries
Quote:
with a chemical fuel known as cyclotrimethylene trinitramine.

Isn't that an explosive? RDX I think.

Bouncing fuel cells anyone?

[Edit] That'll be a D'Oh! then :roll:
Author:  Amnesia10 [ Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Nanometre 'fuses' for high-performance batteries
l3v1ck wrote:
It's just a shame you can't recharge them.

There was a laptop version that could be recharged with lighter fluid if I remember rightly.
Author:  JJW009 [ Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Nanometre 'fuses' for high-performance batteries
Amnesia10 wrote:
l3v1ck wrote:
It's just a shame you can't recharge them.

There was a laptop version that could be recharged with lighter fluid if I remember rightly.

I remember nanotube batteries being in the news last year, but I forget the details.

There are DMFC catalytic fuel cell chargers available right now which run on methanol, but I don't think you're allowed them on planes either:

http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2009_10/pr2201.htm
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