Solutions for Industrial Computing

One big problem is infrastructure. Electrical outlets for recharging batteries are available world-wide. Even remote locations have generators/solar/windmills/etc.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells have a real chance at implementation in small devices. When I studied fuel cells at Penn State it was the opinion of the professor that portable devices would see the first wide spread use of fuel cells. The DMFC has many benefits over a hydrogen FC for these applications. DMFCs do not need as much hydration which makes a huge difference in the size of the overall package. Heat is also another consideration. And don't forget the GDL material, platnium alloys aren't cheap. A fuel cell system is so much more than just the fuel cell and understanding all the other equiptment involved with starting up and maintaining steady state conditions takes up at least 3-4 times as much space as the fuel cell itself (not including fuel storage).

Now do we really want every body to carry a bottle of hydrogen with them?

We don't like it when everyone carry a bottle of gasoline in the mall.....

you just need a steady supply of ants. lots of formic acid. stinky stuff.

I remember years ago someone came up with an alcohol power source, they claimed 1mL of vodka or scotch would run a phone all day. It sounded great and then the bean counters came in and decided that the alcohol needed to come from little containers that could not be refilled. then i lost interest.

now i want a phone with an ant hole. probably have to buy a special non-reuseable container of ants though instead of just being able to jam them in a hole.