Fuel cells are the cleanest and the most efficient generators of energy and now you can have one in your back pack. Dynario, a portable fuel cell power generator recently launched by Toshiba Corporation, weighs just 280 grams, measures only 15cm wide x 2.1cm deep x 7.45cm high and can produce enough power in 20 seconds to charge two mobile phones. The power is stored in in-built lithium ion batteries and can be transferred via a USB cable to your mobile phone or digital media player when needed.
The methanol powered device has a dedicated 50 ml cartridge for refueling. A single cartridge can be used to charge approximately three times.
Compared to other green forms of energy generation like portable solar chargers or micro wind turbines, fuel cells offer a more dependable and reliable option. Power is generated instantly and water is the only emission.
The only drawback of Dynario seems to be cost, which at around US$275 for the fuel cell generator and $30 for 50ml cartridge of methanol is way too expensive for normal use. However, some users of adventure sports who want very small amounts of reliable power to charge up their GPS and other emergency devices will find Dynario very useful despite the costs.
At present Dynario is available for sale only in Japan from Toshiba's e-website.
Via Toshiba.
So, an article about how this nifty fuel cell releases only water vapor as a by-product is actually the only thing that can be factually said about this product, in particular.
Your comment that distilling requires \"energy\" in no way makes any point as to whether that energy is carbon-negative, neutral or positive. That is something on a larger economic and political scale, and should have no impact on whether a particular small fuel cell is carbon-neutral or not.
The original method of energy to power the methanol distillery is what determines the overall life-cycle carbon-neutrality (or not), and makes no impact upon the product\'s particular usefulness or contribution to carbon-emissions.
If your in the middle of the ocean or forest they have hand operated devices that produce energy to recharge flashlights and cell phones with the turn of a lever. LCD\'s to not need much to run efficiently for long periods of time. Cell phones are already becoming available with built in solar panels on the backs of the phone. Solar panels work in sunny and cloudy environments so that would be a more efficient option as well. This device uses newer technology and sounds cool yea, but its not really all that practical considering its uses. I\'ll bet its not even drop proof yet alone water resistant. Beta version Junk. Keep the made in China logo on it and leave it there.
Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India