Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,885 
May 23rd, 2007, 11:52 AM
Quoting s243a
That sounds very encouraging. There are several exciting battery developments coming up. We are looking at the start of the demise of the internal combustion engine. It couldn't come soon enough for me.
Once this happens:
"The meaning of juicing up your iPod may soon become a lot more literal. Researchers at Saint Louis University have developed a fuel cell battery that runs on virtually any sugar source - from soft drinks to tree sap - and has the potential to operate three to four times longer on a single charge than conventional lithium ion batteries.
The new battery, which is completely biodegradable, could eventually replace lithium ion batteries in many portable electronic applications, including computers. The findings were described today at the 233rd national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Chicago."
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/509/
Electric cars will be the way to go.
"The meaning of juicing up your iPod may soon become a lot more literal. Researchers at Saint Louis University have developed a fuel cell battery that runs on virtually any sugar source - from soft drinks to tree sap - and has the potential to operate three to four times longer on a single charge than conventional lithium ion batteries.
The new battery, which is completely biodegradable, could eventually replace lithium ion batteries in many portable electronic applications, including computers. The findings were described today at the 233rd national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Chicago."
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/509/
Electric cars will be the way to go.
Super Genius
Posts: 1,352
Location: Calgary
Location: Calgary
May 27th, 2007, 12:51 AM
Quoting #juan
I agree that batteries are the future. I don't know what hurdles are still there. Are those sugar batteries rechargeable? Do they work at low temperatures? Regardless even once we solve the problems with batteries there is still the issue of power generation. I am a strong believer that the only technolgy that is going to produce a sufficient amount of clean power to meat our demand is nuclear power. Until we embrace nuclear power and start to replace our coal and gas fired plants on a large scale the electric car is going to do very little to reduce our green house gas emissions.
That sounds very encouraging. There are several exciting battery developments coming up. We are looking at the start of the demise of the internal combustion engine. It couldn't come soon enough for me.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,885
May 27th, 2007, 10:26 AM
I agree that automobiles are only part of the problem. Power generation from coal fired plants is not the answer. . At the moment, nuclear power seems to be the only way to go.
Quoting s243a
As near as I can tell, the batteries are not rechargeable in the conventional sense. When the sugar level gets too low, you just drain the battery reservoir and refill it with new sugar solution. At this time, I don't know if the battery requires a certain time to get back to full power. The impression I get is that this is not a serious problem. The big thing is that the waste, the worn out sugar solution, is completely biodegradable.
I agree that batteries are the future. I don't know what hurdles are still there. Are those sugar batteries rechargeable? Do they work at low temperatures? Regardless even once we solve the problems with batteries there is still the issue of power generation. I am a strong believer that the only technolgy that is going to produce a sufficient amount of clean power to meat our demand is nuclear power. Until we embrace nuclear power and start to replace our coal and gas fired plants on a large scale the electric car is going to do very little to reduce our green house gas emissions.
I agree that automobiles are only part of the problem. Power generation from coal fired plants is not the answer. . At the moment, nuclear power seems to be the only way to go.
Member
Posts: 139
May 27th, 2007, 12:51 PM
Many years ago, a kid was being celebrated as a genius because he made a battery that could even use blood as the electrolyte. If sugar batteries are the next great discovery, then you can bet it will be such a special blend, that it will cost a fortune to refill it. To my mind, paying a fortune for gas or sugar, doesn't help the guy in the street. Someone is going to empty our pockets, and I have finally become so jaded with all the newest and best, because in the end, we are all still out a fortune.
Many years ago, a kid was being celebrated as a genius because he made a battery that could even use blood as the electrolyte. If sugar batteries are the next great discovery, then you can bet it will be such a special blend, that it will cost a fortune to refill it. To my mind, paying a fortune for gas or sugar, doesn't help the guy in the street. Someone is going to empty our pockets, and I have finally become so jaded with all the newest and best, because in the end, we are all still out a fortune.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,885
May 27th, 2007, 05:28 PM
I don't know how close we are to having sugar powered cars, or even if powering a car with this sugar battery/fuel cell or whatever it is, is even feasible. Right now we are certainly being hosed by the oil companies who are raising gas prices with one hand and raking in obscene profits with the other. I share your cynicism to some extent but I think we are moving in the right direction. I wish we'd move a little quicker.
Quoting able
Hi able
Many years ago, a kid was being celebrated as a genius because he made a battery that could even use blood as the electrolyte. If sugar batteries are the next great discovery, then you can bet it will be such a special blend, that it will cost a fortune to refill it. To my mind, paying a fortune for gas or sugar, doesn't help the guy in the street. Someone is going to empty our pockets, and I have finally become so jaded with all the newest and best, because in the end, we are all still out a fortune.
I don't know how close we are to having sugar powered cars, or even if powering a car with this sugar battery/fuel cell or whatever it is, is even feasible. Right now we are certainly being hosed by the oil companies who are raising gas prices with one hand and raking in obscene profits with the other. I share your cynicism to some extent but I think we are moving in the right direction. I wish we'd move a little quicker.
