Name: Future MacBook or iPad models could have power for weeks using hydrogen fuel cells | AppleInsider
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Future MacBook or iPad models could have power for weeks using hydrogen fuel cells | AppleInsider

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content.Apple is investigating hydrogen fuel cells in mobile devices as an alternative to present battery charging technology, partly to achieve far longer battery life, but also to be more ecologically sound. Apple patents are always about technology, or systems to use that technology, and occasionally they are specifically for devices such as the . The "Portable computing device for external fuel cell control," is all of these things, but it's also unusual in how it sets out both the environmental and the political concerns that have prompted it. "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," says Apple's patent, "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," it continues. "As a consequence of this increased consumer awareness, electronics manufacturers have become very interested in developing renewable energy sources for their products, and they have been exploring a number of promising renewable energy sources such as hydrogen fuel cells." Apple doesn't exactly say that hydrogen fuel cells are the perfect battery for the future, but it does list exactly why it calls the technology so "promising." "Hydrogen fuel cells have a number of advantages," says Apple. "Such fuel cells and associated fuels can potentially achieve high volumetric and gravimetric energy densities, which can potentially enable continued operation of portable electronic devices for days or even weeks without refueling." You know there has to be a 'but' or we'd already be using these cells. "[But] it is extremely challenging to design hydrogen fuel cell systems which are sufficiently portable and cost-effective to be used with portable electronic devices," explains Apple. That's what this patent is meant to solve. It's about "the design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device," which converts fuel — such as hydrogen-based — into electrical power. The research contains many different possible solutions to generating the power, and getting it into the device — including a reference to a . In each case, though, the idea is that a "fuel cell stack... produces electrical power by converting a source fuel... into an electric current and a waste product." Where the patent varies is in the precise detail of this fuel cell stack, and how the power is generated. For instance, one example proposes that "the fuel cells may be proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells that use hydrogen as a fuel." Another suggests that the stack "may correspond to solid oxide fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells, alkaline fuel cells, and/or other types of fuel cells." Beyond the claim that a working system like this could power a device "for days or even weeks," there is no further estimate about battery life. Nor is there any indication of exactly how far along Apple may be in implementing the patent's solutions. Apple has long been researching power and battery technologies. It's even had previously applied for patents on the subject of using hydrogen as long ago as . This newly granted patent is credited to six inventors, all of whom have previous patents in the same field, to do with fuel cell systems specifically for small devices. That includes Bradley L. Spare, Vijay M. Iyer, and Jean L. Lee, who are together on "Fuel cell system coupled to a portable computing device."...and people worry about lithium batteries exploding!I wish AI would title these articles based on patent filings better. The caption always gives the impression that the patent is something that is set to go in the next device they release. in reality, it's just a concept they are investigating and for which they filed a patent. Many/most of them never see the light of day. Something like "apple investigating..." or "apple files patent for..." would be much more accurate.&nbsp;One has to wonder the reaction from the public once the H-powered Macs explode on the scene!said:...and people worry about lithium batteries exploding!I wish AI would title these articles based on patent filings better. The caption always gives the impression that the patent is something that is set to go in the next device they release. in reality, it's just a concept they are investigating and for which they filed a patent. Many/most of them never see the light of day. Something like "apple investigating..." or "apple files patent for..." would be much more accurate.&nbsp;Appleinsider needs to generate clicks, just like every other ad-supported site. Worked on both of us....I’ve been around the tech world long enough now to see ideas some around again. Seems like every ten or twelve years somebody comes up with the idea of a fuel cell power supply for laptops, or now devices. It generates buzz for a while then people really think about it and realize that it’s not a great idea. Right jow if your device gets low on power you can plug it in nearly anywhere, even in your car. Fuel cell gets low, oh then you must go to a refilling station. Not a good option. how often have you seen someone in the middle of a PowerPoint and realize their laptop is getting low. Oh pull out the charger and plug it in. Can’t do that when you need to go to the filling station.&nbsp;I understand the wish to convert to renewable energy sources. How about converting the electrical grid to renewables rather than trying to convert each device, laptop, and car, and then build the infrastructure to support them.&nbsp;&nbsp;Right now if your device gets low on power you can plug it in nearly anywhere, even in your car. Fuel cell gets low, oh then you must go to a refilling station. Not a good option. how often have you seen someone in the middle of a PowerPoint and realize their laptop is getting low. Oh pull out the charger and plug it in. Can’t do that when you need to go to the filling station.&nbsp;As I understand it, the device would still be powered by a battery. The fuel cell would be able to refill the battery to extend it’s use greatly, but I don’t see how that means you couldn’t charge the battery the old fashioned way if you had the access...Please enable JavaScript to comment&nbsp;Apple released the Apple Watch Series 8 alongside an updated Apple Watch SE on September 7. Here's how they compare with one another.High demand for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max led to Apple server crashes in China as consumers placed over two million preorders in 24 hours.In iOS 16 Apple introduced Haptic Feedback to the iPhone keyboard. Here's how to use it.Apple released the Apple Watch Series 8 alongside an updated Apple Watch SE on September 7. Here's how they compare with one another.Apple made considerable upgrades to the iPhone 14 Pro while making fewer than usual to the iPhone 14. Here's how the two similar-sized flagship iPhone models differ.Apple's iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have arrived. Here's how they stack up versus the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.Apple's iPhone 14 is aimed at about the same market that the iPhone SE targets. Here's how it compares to the third-generation iPhone SE.Apple announced the second generation of AirPods Pro at its "Far Out" event on September 7. Here's how it compares to the first generation.&nbsp;LG's professional-grade UltraFine OLED Pro displays are heavily discounted this week, offering content professionals true 10-bit color and 99% Adobe RGB color gamut coverage in your choice of 27-inch or 32-inch sizes.Apple released the Apple Watch Series 8 alongside an updated Apple Watch SE on September 7. Here's how they compare with one another.High demand for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max led to Apple server crashes in China as consumers placed over two million preorders in 24 hours.In iOS 16 Apple introduced Haptic Feedback to the iPhone keyboard. Here's how to use it.On Tuesday, Amazon released a pair of Kindles with USB-C, a new high-resolution display, and twice the storage of older models.Apple's iOS 16 makes the iPhone more customizable than ever. This is the ultimate guide on how to make the iPhone a more personal device.Apple's 2022 MacBook Air sports the new M2 chip and an all-new chassis. And it's up to $200 off, with upgraded models starting at just $1,279.New regulatory filings show that the Apple Watch Ultra has a battery that is 76% larger than that in the Series 8, and more than double the size of the small Apple Watch SE.Apple released the Apple Watch Series 8 alongside an updated Apple Watch SE on September 7. Here's how they compare with one another.High demand for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max led to Apple server crashes in China as consumers placed over two million preorders in 24 hours.In iOS 16 Apple introduced Haptic Feedback to the iPhone keyboard. Here's how to use it.Apple's iOS 16 makes the iPhone more customizable than ever. This is the ultimate guide on how to make the iPhone a more personal device.It's been a rocky road to the iOS 16 launch. Here are the high-profile features that didn't debut in the initial release of Apple's operating system.Apple's annual update to its operating system brings new features and much-needed changes. Here are the stand-out features in iOS 16.Apple's "Far Out" event is on September 7. Beyond the new iPhone 14, here's what to expect from September's Apple event — and beyond.The second-generation Razer Kishi is here for iPhone users with a new design, better buttons, and a companion app. How does it stack up to the Backbone One?Less an overhaul and more refining what's already in place, iOS 16 is all about personalization on top of a retained solid foundation.With the SwitchEasy four-in-one MagPower multi-charger, you can power up all your gear with a single device — including your Apple Watch with an Apple-certified puck.The Benks Grand Pro Headphone Stand for AirPods Max is a welcome upgrade over the original. However, it introduces complexity where there was none before — while also ignoring an obvious problem.Keep tabs on the air quality of your home — including potentially deadly radon levels — with the Airthings View Plus.Apple didn't make a Magic Keyboard for iPad mini 6, and Lululook's Magnetic Keyboard perhaps acts as a testament to why.{{ summary }}{{{ reviewStars.html }}}

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content.Apple is investigating hydrogen fuel cells in mobile devices as an alternative to present battery charging technology, partly to achieve far longer battery life, but also to be more ecologically sound. Apple patents are always about technology, or systems to use that technology, and occasionally they are specifically for devices such as the . The "Portable computing device...

Future MacBook or iPad models could have power for weeks using hydrogen fuel cells | AppleInsider

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