According to recent data, Apple is exploring hydrogen fuel cells for mobile devices as an alternative to conventional batteries. Such elements are designed to significantly increase the battery life of devices. In addition, they are much more environmentally friendly than conventional batteries.
Information about new developments reveals a recently published patent of a Californian company. The filing is unusual in that Apple cites environmental and political issues that prompted the company to begin research in this area. In the patent, Apple claims that the use of alternative energy sources will reduce the US dependence on the countries of the Middle East, from which most fossil fuels are supplied, as well as reduce the risks associated with offshore drilling. Apple does not call hydrogen fuel cells ideal, but says that this direction is very promising.
However, at this stage, Apple does not use such batteries because of their prohibitive cost. The company says that with the current level of technology development, it is very difficult to develop hydrogen fuel cells that are portable and cost-effective enough to be used in mobile devices. The patent is about developing a portable and economical fuel cell system and converting hydrogen-based fuel into electricity for a compact computing device.
Unfortunately, the developments presented in the patent application at this stage are very raw. Apple has not yet decided what to do with waste from hydrogen processing. Also, more or less exact operating time from such elements is not indicated. The text only says that hydrogen batteries will be able to provide autonomous operation of devices for several days or even weeks.
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Source: 3dnews.ru