APPLE-HYDROGEN-FUEL-CELLSDetails just published by The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show that Apple is planning to make devices powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
If successful then these plans could create computers and phones which would have weeks-long battery power and also make these devices lighter and less bulky.
A battery has all of its chemicals stored inside, and it converts those chemicals into electricity too. This means that a battery eventually "goes dead" and you either throw it away or recharge it. With a fuel cell, chemicals constantly flow into the cell so it never goes dead -- as long as there is a flow of chemicals into the cell, the electricity flows out of the cell. Most fuel cells in use today use hydrogen and oxygen as the chemicals.
Hydrogen fuel cells work by converting hydrogen and oxygen into water and electrical energy. Already this technology is being explored by the car industry and also for the military.
Extracts from the patent application reads:
"Our country's continuing reliance on fossil fuels has forced our government to maintain complicated political and military relationships with unstable governments in the Middle East, and has also exposed our coastlines and our citizens to the associated hazards of offshore drilling. These problems have led to an increasing awareness and desire on the part of consumers to promote and use renewable energy sources."
None of this should come as a surprise to anyone who keeps a close eye on Apple. It’s also reported that the company has filed several other patent applications for similar technology.
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