May 20, 2008 9:47 AM PDT
Canon considers fuel cells to power cameras
(Credit: Crave Asia)A patent has been filed by Canon for a technology that uses fuel cells to power dSLRs instead of the conventional lithium-ion batteries.
For those not familiar with fuel cells, they are often mentioned as a greener alternative power source, with some cars already running on it. Another interesting fact is that, unlike traditional batteries that supply a constant voltage, the current will fluctuate in accordance to the device's needs.
What this means for Canon is that its cameras, if powered by fuel cells, can draw power from the source more effectively, leading to a longer-lasting battery while at the same time saving Earth.
(Source: Crave Asia)
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1. There are no cars in production that use fuel cells, and they wont for a number of years. There are a few prototypes, but if manufactured, they would cost a couple hundred thousand dollars each.
2. Batteries supply a roughly-constant (but actually decreasing over time) voltage and a varying current. If the fuel cells can modulate their voltage, that's interesting, but that's not what was reported here.
3. Fuel cells are longer lasting than Li-Ion because they have more power density for the weight. They're not necessarily environmentally better than rechargeable batteries, which could be charged using wind power. Fuel cells will likely be fueled by methanol, a fossil fuel.
Only .75 errors per sentence! Not bad!