It appears innovation at Apple has not stopped in its tracks after the death of Steve Jobs.
According to recent U.S. Patent and Trademark Office applications, Apple is planning to make portable devices powered by small, lightweight hydrogen fuel cells. The small fuel cells could potentially power devices for weeks at a time.
Hydrogen fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, leaving behind water as a harmless emission; so, obviously this would be another positive (and welcome) environmental move by Apple.
As part of the application Apple has noted,
“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, 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.”
To those who follow Apple developments intently, this Apple hydrogen fuel cell concept is not all that new. It was revealed back in October that the company was exploring lighter, more efficient hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Hydrogen fuel cells are not new either, but fuel cells integrated into a portable devices such as iPhones, iPads and laptops would indeed be cutting edge. Additionally, because of the huge popularity of Apple products, if this technology pans out for the company, it would no doubt change the whole industry pretty quickly.
Would you like your portable electronic devices to be powered by long-lasting hydrogen fuel cells instead of batteries? I know I would. Bring it on.