I’ll be explaining the basics of how a PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) works, and how you can make use of one. Also worth noting is that Wikipedia has a great article with more detail if you’re interested. Also, PEM isn’t the only type - these days there are many tested and emerging fuel cell technologies.

• HOW PEMFCs WORK •

This diagram (shamelessly stolen from Wikipedia) gives an idea of how the PEMFC functions. The electrolyte in a PEMFC is the Proton Exchange Membrane itself, which is a thin polymer sheet, typically made out of Dupont’s ‘Nafion’. No chemical elements can pass through the Nafion layer, with the sole exception of Hydrogen, and even then the Hydrogen can’t pass through the Nafion without ditching its one-and-only electron. The process by which the Hydrogen (now just a solitary proton) is shuttled through the Nafion layer isn’t totally understood, but it’s a very useful trick.

The Oxygen waiting on the other side of the Nafion barrier is hungry for extra electrons, and given the chance it’d strip them right off the Hydrogen molecules - but the Nafion seperates the Hydrogen and Oxygen so that can’t happen. Instead, metal terminals on either side of the Nafion layer provide a pathway for the electrons, so that they’re able to travel from the Hydrogen-side to the Oxygen-side. This way everyone’s happy - the Hydrogen atoms can ditch their electrons and pass through the layer to bond with the Oxygen (producing water), the Oxygen can collect the electrons coming into the Oxygen-side of the fuel cell, and the electrons that are passing through the external circuit can be used to drive any electrical devices that are connected.

If you have a reversible fuel cell (which almost all readily available small fuel cells seem to be) then you can also run this reaction in reverse. Pumping electrons into the Hydrogen-side of the fuel cell and pulling them out of the Oxygen-side will tear the water molecules apart. The Oxygen will reform as Oxygen gas, and likewise the Hydrogen will skip back across the Nafion barrier and reform as Hydrogen gas.

When used in this way, by ‘charging’ and ‘discharging’ the fuel cell, the whole unit acts very much like a rechargable battery. The main difference is that you can easily increase the energy storage capacity of the ‘battery’ just by making your Hydrogen and Oxygen storage tanks bigger.

Its Web site said Brazil’s telecoms regulator Anatel, and certification of mobile phone battery chargers approved rules and regulations. Under Section 481 proposal, Anatel Brazil’s mobile phone companies to achieve sales of men’s battery is required. Mobile phones must be equipped with the label for the user, mobile phones, mobile phone battery is Anatel quality and safety standards chargers immediately in line with. Evidence that a variety of cells and cell phone situation has been tested in, for example in high temperature testing

Again Toshiba 1400 laptop batteries recalled

U. S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that the latest battery recall affects about 1400 laptop, model Toshiba Satellite A100, A105, and Tecra 7 notebooks, including sale price at $ 680.

Toshiba said that the United States outside of notebook batteries overheating with three reports, but no injury accidents. AC power system for laptop users on the CPSC’s recommendation should follow, the question put in the battery is sent to Toshiba for a free replacement.

Industry experts said the sale of laptop battery notebook battery recall has not affected many of the problems that some buyers switch their brands.

Because battery recalls that often IDC, enterprises and consumers, with 15% of buyers have changed their purchase plans. Although small, but significantly the number of notebook manufacturers, particularly in the field of business to changes in market share, lead, usually a large number of these buyers to buy a notebook ratio.

Dali, Yunnan Province of China Hi-tech industrial development area and source of Chang High-Tech (Holdings) Limited branch signed polysilicon thin film solar photovoltaic project investment function, sign function, 500 million US With the formal end of the dollar high-tech investment projects was held in Dali settled.

Zhouweishuji signature ceremony, Deputy Secretary of State speech Gujarat Ping, Ping on behalf of the Governor presided over the signing ceremony.

It is understood that Dali polycrystalline silicon thin film solar photovoltaic project, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Bonn Yunnan province, before the international advanced high-tech projects approximately 500 million U.S. dollars, an annual production output of 40MW production line put the project The total investment in early stage project with “about 40.92 million US Approximate annual gross profit of $ 80 million U.S. dollars and the annual sales income tax may feel, about all the projects into production of 122.76 million US Approximate annual gross profit of $ 240 million U.S. dollars and the annual sales income tax may feel. Project Asia’s largest production base will become thin polysilicon film battery production.

U.S. The selection of five research projects funded Capital Energy Department over 17.2 million U.S. dollars in order to plug the major obstacles in the commercialization of hybrid electric vehicles, particularly to reduce the cost of battery and increase battery life arrived. Five research projects with the United States Advanced Battery Consortium to share the money. Battery research and development money in the end of these studies received 38 million US dollars will reach. U.S. Energy Department contract negotiations stage financing plans are finalized and waiting for Congress to grant. Five research projects are expected to start in 2007 and 2009 will continue to have. Money mainly U.S. Ministry of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department S (2007 to 2009 for the financial year) will happen.

In this theory,  MARIN based on experiments conducted under the six-member team. As the resonators used two copper coils work. And one electric wire | voltage regulator connected to a transmitter, a receiver connected as working with the other lamps. Consequently, they succeeded in 60 out 2.13 m from the transmitter - watt lamp lighted.

In this experiment the electromagnetic wave transmitter emits no surroundings, but the space non-radiation “is filled with,” EMF, electromagnetic field, particularly until the receiver can hear form design, this energy will receive.

Currently in use over 45% energy on her way to wear and tear bulb is transferred. If the chemical is for wireless battery charging, must be 70 percent higher rate battery. How to use wireless power researchers for the study are to strengthen capacity.

Human body does not produce harmful

Experiment shows that the radio “to” receiving technology is harmless to humans. Because the electromagnetic field affects human such items, tables, blankets and other items in the power sector as almost no reaction, are able to resonate with.

Next, research will be for the team out, try to increase the power transmitter, receiver with the same ability were welcome. By that time, mobile phones, laptop computers automatically charged to the room with the transmitter can be configured not need batteries, and power supply needs through socket can not connect directly.

Researchers believe that they have 3 to 5 year period be portable computers, mobile phones, mp3 players and other electrical appliances will be able to wirelessly developed a mature system. Once the realization of such wireless power transmission, this means that some small device can get permanently free from the shackles of the battery so that prevent environmental pollution due to discarded batteries.

Wireless Power Technology

Computer Table Is Always include heaps of tangled wires? Enjoy this high tech thing was when you bear it. But the United States after years of research in four MIT, a “wireless power, known as” technology, computer or mobile phone for you can provide electricity strategy is developed. For wiring and battery in the future are likely to be history.

Research results already “7 th issue of Science magazine published” is. According to research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers used two 2 meter than copper coils, successfully lit by wireless power transmission is the power of 60 watt light bulb. Massachusetts Institute of Technology physics professor MARIN has said that it needs to supply a laptop computer.

Using resonance theory

The idea of wireless power transmission, but by then it is proposed to have been a lot of scientists think that there can not be achieved. Because humans emit electromagnetic energy emitted by electric power centralized control can not be scattered around the transmission, not more talk about can be used.

However, last fall, Radio ‘has proposed a MARIN transmit “technology can use electromagnetic energy, a new theory.’ MARIN theory S, until receiver equipment with electromagnetic energy as a transmitter in a single resonance frequency, according to the energy between the two can be interchangeable.

MARIN  “This theater is like a singer can break like glass, said” the situation that the two singers and an acoustic glass can hear on the form. “

Producer: bulge is a common phenomenon

After running manufacturer sales personnel of the Ministry told reporters that the torrential rains and service charge the battery is discharged, part of the heat battery, battery a little flower, “while not affecting normal use, there is no threat to security is. Consumers can be sure that use.

12,315 Foshan: Flowers should return

Bureau of Trade and Industry accepted Foshan to 12.315 advisers, said that the battery warranty, there swelling, repair of consumer request the business plan, if can not recover, etc. If the place should be.

“For general use in battery case as an excuse for companies” can not be replaced is unfair. If the player does not change, the Consumer specified department or vendor specific sections of the test report, the agency requires companies to Can. If the company does not provide, consumer complaints from 12.315.

Reminder: do not use universal charger

Experts say that mobile phone battery is commonly used in lithium batteries, the battery exploded, there’s actually three: First, for battery reasons. Since internal flaws battery, battery charge batteries discharge explosion case but the other surcharges are. A certain temperature, humidity and poor contact, etc. or lithium battery in the atmosphere, significant transient discharge currents, leading to spontaneous combustion or explosion, the third small, is likely to be low.

, One particular brand of cell phone service personnel tell Foshan, call for using “balls to prevent mobile phone battery option” to change, we should try to choose well brand products, free go mobile phone model in Milan prosecutor who must choose, do not meet the present, based on non - uniform standards under the battery, charger not universal. In use, the battery will be placed in high temperature environment. There used batteries is damaged or inflamed, In addition, as possible, as some now call a long time Take the phone, you must use a headset. Also, it not the best phone on his chest.

Master Control Unit design and implementation: Master Control Unit is microcontroller PIC16F873 and keyboard controller chip ZLG7289A composition. The main task is responsible for communicating with the different costs today, and the processing of user input and LCD display information. The keyboard controller chip in here for six buttons and 12 LED control. ZLG7289A with a microcontroller through the SPI bus between the two-way communication. Main control unit charge per check every time unit, to obtain information about the current charging unit, as there is no battery, battery properties, the battery voltage. Followed by the LCD module to the user.

Design and Implementation of Charging Unit, LTC4002 Li-Ion Battery Charge Controller: LTC4002 is a high efficiency switching independent lithium-ion battery controller. The manager has two versions of 4.2V and 8.4V. LTC4002-8, 4 has a 500kHz switching frequency, is a high efficiency current mode PWM controller. This is an external P-channel MOSFET drives, it can provide 4A of current costs, while the efficiency can be as high as 90%. Output voltage is set at 8.4V, the final drive voltage with 1% accuracy, while the 5% charge accuracy. Furthermore, the handset can be 9V ~ 22V wide variety of wall adapter to run. In comparison with the hysteretic topology chargers, LTC4002-8, 4 of the fast operating frequency and current mode architecture to enable the use of small capacitors and inductor / capacitor combinations.

Lithium-ion / Ni-Cd battery loading unit of the overall design of the dual use: LTC4002 the face of an analysis of the past can see, the chip is for the lithium-ion battery controller, the nickel-cadmium batteries need to address the following issues: First, LTC4002 to monitor the battery voltage to ensure that the battery voltage does not exceed 8.4V. But for nickel-cadmium battery pack, charging cut-off voltages up to 9.2V. Secondly, the nickel-cadmium batteries come to an end, the need for batteries in the normal current 30% and 10% of the droplet charge. Thus, the second problem to be solved is how the size of the constant current charge current control. Moreover, nickel-cadmium batteries to charge pulse mode. Namely, 1s cycle, 95% of the time to 1% of the time charged the remaining time for the output is not paid leave. Finally, the court that a lithium-ion battery battery or nickel-cadmium batteries, lithium-ion batteries because if the miscarriage of justice for the nickel-cadmium batteries, will charge voltage higher than 8.4V, this lithium-ion batteries is very dangerous, but will nickel-cadmium batteries for lithium-ion battery miscarriage of justice, it may lead to insufficient battery loading. Therefore, we must ensure that a very low false positive rate.

The LTC4002 works partially based on the design of both the lithium-ion battery constant current - constant voltage load, they can nickel-cadmium battery pulse charging system. Charging the unit’s overall functional block diagram shown in Figure 2. Among them, signal-conditioning circuitry to both charger for 8.4V lithium battery load, but also may be 9.2V Ni-Cd battery load, but also play a role in controlling the size of the load current. LTC4002 use of micro-manager control work state, with the redundancy circuit that nickel-cadmium battery charger can be off loaded from pols run. Micro-controller through a certain communication protocols (HDQ16) and intelligent battery communication, to determine their capacity, the chemical nature of the key parameters.

Last year’s laptop battery recall incident, Apple, Dell, HP, IBM Lenovo, and several notebook manufacturers have already begun to consult together to create new standards for lithium battery development.

Before that, the field of mobile phone battery in a notebook, and there are various standards such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) in 1625 and 1725 laptop battery standard cell phone battery standard recognition rate is high. Dell’s recall after the incident, the IEEE announced that he would continue to review the standard laptop battery to change plans at the end of this year at the IEEE 1625 standard will be changed.

In the phone lithium battery recall incident, it was reported that Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association, the battery business will be information and communication networking industry association, and video equipment operated for a few days ago, began working at work in the establishment of technical standards for the safe use of Lithium batteries. According to reports, the industry associations involved in notebook computers, cellphones and digital cameras and many other industries.

Changes are synchronized with the standard Lithium-Ion battery is that more and more new cells are developed.

Last year’s laptop battery recall after the incident, located in California, Zinc Matrix Power Inc., once activated, the enthusiasm of the outside world since the company invented a mixture of silver and zinc “will not explode the battery, and battery use of time longer than lithium. CNET technology news from the network, say 1999-2006, the company has received approximately 32 million dollars in venture capital investment. But because the company can resolve the zinc battery loading problems, which will not achieve short-term large-scale commercial application be.

Another type of an attempt to replace the thin-film lithium batteries are also attracted outside attention. It is clear that there are more thin-film batteries Lithium batteries are safer, and the number of repeated charge and discharge to thousands of times. Production of thin-film batteries Infinite Power Solutions Inc. announced that it is more than 34.7 million U.S. dollars investment company’s investment, it will enable the volume production in 2007, thin-film batteries are received.

Furthermore, as fuel cells and other types of battery are also being developed.

Following last year’s production in August Dell recalled 4.6 million Sony laptop batteries, after August of this year, Nokia has recalled 46 million mobile phone batteries.

August 14, Nokia announced that due to existence of the risk of overheating will be a global replacement of 46 million within the Matsushita-made BL-5C mobile phone battery model.

Such “replacement”, that is, the industry called “recall.”

This is the second in August 2006, a large-scale recall of laptop batteries after one year, mobile phone industry, the largest battery recall.

For the recall, Nokia said the associated costs would be undertaken by lithium battery manufacturers Panasonic company. From Panasonic’s budget showed the cost of the recall could reach 86 million to 172 million U.S. dollars.

Sony laptop battery recall last year’s losses, up to 430 million U.S. dollars. In recent years, several large-scale recall of events, easily billion in losses, so that more and more confusing to consumers and the industry - how the lithium batteries?

Spain to build solar power facilities Laptop battery, the supply of 70000 Kyocera Battery Module

Kyocera announced the use of about 70000, the company producing solar cell modules, power generation capacity of 13.8MW of solar power generation facilities built in Spain. This is the company’s biggest supply ever. About 5000 families to meet the demand for digital camera battery electricity.

Power generation facilities located in the Spanish city of Salamanca (Salamanca) Center, about 20km northwest of Office “Planta Solar de Salamanca”. Construction funds by the Spanish Avanzalia Solar company from investors to raise, since the construction began in 2005. Covers an area of approximately 360,000 m2, in the three regions were installed capacity minolta battery , minolta np-200 battery of 6.3MW, 1.8MW and 5.7MW of solar modules.

Supplied 5760 Kyocera 170W solar cell modules and 63888 200W solar cell modules, a total of 69648. Is located in the Czech Republic by the European Kyocera Solar production. Using the conversion efficiency of 16.5% of the poly-silicon solar cell modules canon battery , canon bp-208 battery . A total of 148 units installed inverter.

Kyocera believes that the current solar power systems project scale is growing. This is similar to the 10MW and above large-scale power generation facilities are growing in Europe as the center, the United States also began around 5MW of solar power generation facilities.

Deer battery technology to fill the gaps in canon bp-511 battery , canon lp-e5 battery , etc.

Recently, digital products batteries spontaneous incident triggered a consumer’s attention. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) improved the safety of U.S. imports the standard battery products. Meanwhile, Silver (Ningbo) Battery Co., Ltd. announced the 2006 export performance last year, exports amounted to Deer brand batteries 19.06 million U.S. dollars, accounting for 20% of the company’s total exports, its exports to the U.S. market, the main product is entirely developed its own digital Wang Deer LR6 batteries, one of the few in China sony VGP-BPS13A/B , sony VGP-BPS13A/S “export exemption” products.

In 2004, the Bank of China has successfully developed a battery of digital Wang LR6 batteries, the battery in the large current discharge performance, a breakthrough improvement, used in digital cameras than ordinary alkaline zinc-manganese batteries 40% increase in capacity sony VGP-BPS13B/B , sony VGP-BPS13/S, but also to solve of the cathode ring shape, the product down faster in the storage period, the product’s safety performance and reliability of the key issues, a domestic technology to fill another gap.