Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Fuel Cells Yet ?

[John Brownlee <jonnie@cobweb.scarymonsters.net>]

	Another option would be the methanol and oxygen fuel cells that
have been under development for use in portable electronic devices. There
was a big conversation on slashdot about this a while ago, here's the
articles I could dredge up about the technology:

http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/tech/DailyNews/fuelcells990903.html

http://www.uscar.org/pngv/technical/pem.htm	(a big one, 30KW)

And now some shameless press for the good citizens of Vancouver... :-)

http://www.msnbc.com/news/248093.asp?cp1=1#BODY


	Even in the methanol powered cells (no hydrogen) there is the cost
prohibitive nature of those proton exchange membranes (PEM's). They are
the meat of the modern fuel cell, and as long as their cost is high the
cell will be expensive. Don't know how durable the membranes are either, I
would imagine that the wear and tear most boats see would be an issue.
Large bodies of water are by their nature a penetrating and pervasive
element frought with extreme peril for sensitive electrochemical
equipment. Not that this should stop anyone from trying, but if the cells
get poisoned I believe they can be damaged.
	Nay-saying aside, fuel cells work. They have been used in
submersibles before (at least it's mentioned in Busby's book, I believe it
was one of the Star boats but don't quote me). Whether or not they are
really worth the hassle for a personal boat, I dunno. Food for thought, if
nothing else.

							John

John Brownlee
Chief Systems Administrator
Scary Monsters Network
jonnie at scarymonsters dot net