Power from water - NoPoPo Battery

[Cintaria]

Probably the coolest thing we saw at IFA in Berlin last week was a set of batteries that run off water. They're known as the NoPoPo (non-pollution power) Aqua Battery, and they work simply by inserting liquid into the base with a teat pipette.

They come in a range of battery sizes, and according to the manufacturer, a single AAA version can run a small handheld torch light for up to 20 hours. Incredibly, these batteries also work with other types of liquid: we saw them tested with beer and apple juice, but the makers say they can run off cola, saliva or even urine. That's apple juice in the picture, although now we come to think about it, it was rather tangy.

Inside the batteries, a mixture of carbon and magnesium reacts with the liquid to produce power -- around 500mAh in the case of an AA battery. Unlike conventional dry-cell batteries, NoPoPo batteries don't deteriorate over a short time period. They can retain their charge for ten years, making them perfect for emergency situations. Be warned though, they can only be refilled a finite number of times.

They're also far better for the environment -- they don't contain harmful substances, such as mercury, hexavalent chrome, lead or cadmium, so you can dispose of them with a clearer conscience.

As well as powering small devices, NoPoPo batteries can be linked in series to create larger power cells. We saw a bunch of them joined up to power lamps and the effect was astonishing.

Unfortunately they're only being sold in Japan at the moment, but expect to see them hit the West in early 2008. -Rory Reid

Source

I think this is cool-kick-ass--arrific! With the only draw-back I can see being the refill restriction (which hopefully will be R&D'd on to increase the number of times it can be refilled) this is an amazing bit of tech and I'm looking forward to owning some of these
Think of the uses:
A water powered wireless mouse
A water powered alarm clock
A water powered portable tv/dvd player/console
A water powered laptop/notebook/etc
desktop lamp
electric shavers
travel hair-dryers

the list goes on!

Also, if they can get more power out of it then they can be used in CARS and BIKES and things that go VROOM! down the street!!! Except quietly because there'll be no/little noise from an electric car/bike >.>

Who else thinks this is a good idea, and who thinks this is a bad idea. Give reasons as well

[Paparika]

damn good step forward to helping with the reduction of our carbon footprints.

i expect the prices will be high, which is going to be a shame as the cheaper they are the more people can afford to make the change.

[meow]

it wont help with the environment, the reason is that the power comes from the chemicals inside the battery,
NOT the water as such - just like any other battery,
the only difference is that the chemical reaction cant take place without water.

the chemicals get used up just like any other battery too,
so no amount of r&d wil ever make these batteries give more power than any other battery for the same environmental cost.

[teflon]

Originally Posted by Paparika

damn good step forward to helping with the reduction of our carbon footprints.

Carbon batteries? I thought they used mercury and nickel and stuff.

[Sabretooth]

Originally Posted by teflon

Carbon batteries? I thought they used mercury and nickel and stuff.

Maybe they last longer so you dont have to burn fuel going to buy more .

[Mars]

Originally Posted by Sabretooth

Maybe they last longer so you dont have to burn fuel going to buy more .

lol