Hasta La Gadget!

This is a fantastic idea: When your batteries go flat, pull them out and toss them into a sunny corner. A little while later, they’re charged. This is the promise of the SunCat solar powered batteries: “The batteries should just bask in the sun like a cat and left for a while, in a sunny window, they would slowly recharge.”

These batteries are actually hand made by Knut Karlsen. He scored some flexible solar panels from some “scientists” and simply wrapped them around some old NiMH cells, connecting them to the terminals. They actually work, but as Knut says a future version should have more electronics and some capacitors to keep the flow more even and efficient.

Still, we can’t help but think that all batteries should be made this way. We even have some ideas for a perpetual motion machine: Connect these batteries up to some flashlights and arrange them in a circle, pointed at each other. Hey presto! Infinitely renewable energy.

The SunCat Batteries – DIY prototypes [Bareknut via Oh Gizmo!]

Sony is set to show a hybrid fuel cell that will perform double duty. The cell can switch between the methanol fuel cell mode and the traditional lithium-ion battery system.

The hybrid cell system also offers the option to have both run at the same time. Sony will have two sizes, a portable version and a standard one, on display at what is billed as the world’s largest fuel cell exhibition in Tokyo.

Fuel cells are emerging as an attractive alternative because they are more energy efficient, quiet, non-polluting and longer life. (See here for a primer on how fuel cells work)

Sony also showed a bio-battery that is powered through the enzyme degradation of glucose, or more simply put by Coca-Cola or Mountain Dew.

The company did not offer any details on when the products would be available commercially.

[via Engadget]

Duracell vs Energizer was one of the headlining tech fights of the ’80s, as Walkmanseseses chewed through cell after cell. Today, a better match up is the one between their rechargeable batteries.

The Energizer AA batteries are rated at 2200 mAh and the Duracells at 2000 mAh (that’s milliampere-hours, a measurement of energy charge). But the Duracells last a lot longer.

I tested using an ICON LED flashlight, this solid aluminum model with high and low settings—the high setting killing a standard battery in about 3 hours. Through several trials using different cells, the Energizer lasted 2 to 3.5 hours, while the Duracells took anywhere from 5 to 6.5 hours to drain. Not an insignificant discrepancy, and contrary to the respective charge ratings on each.

The Duracell family of rechargeable batteries also come precharged out of the package, so that’s very convenient. They’ve also got USB ports for charging USB gadgets. Both companies offer car and 15 minute chargers. The Duracell Mobile charger is my favorite simply because it has a car adapter and a wall adapter, and can charge 4 AA batteries or any USB device from those sources. (It does not do 15 minute charges, however, but I’d rather buy extras and have them ready to go.) The only real drawback is that it can’t charge D cells and 9V batteries like the giant sized Energizer family charger can. Both kinds of batteries are NiMH. Duracell claims their batteries will hold their charge for a year in storage, while Energizer claims only 6 months.

Frills aside, the bottom line here is battery life, and Duracell has a lot more of it than Energizer.

After a technical road bump and the ensuing production delay, Aptera — the maker of the battery-electric 2e three-wheeler — says its airplane-like EV is finally ready. The first pre-production model of what can be considered the world’s most innovative eco-mobile was wheeled out yesterday, echoing the excitement of more than 4,000 eager drivers who already reserved the vehicle.

According to Edmunds, the 2e “will be evaluated for performance, durability and fit and finish prior to start of retail production in October.” The car is expected to go zero to 60 mph in under 6 seconds, topping out at 90 mph and traveling 100 miles on a single charge.

Like the Tesla Roadster, Aptera’s battery-powered rival, the 2e is a two-seater. However, the Aptera will be sold at only a fraction of Tesla’s near-$100,000 sticker. With initial sales limited to California, the 2e will range from $25,000 to $45,000.

Apple has the details for its 17" MacBook Pro battery replacement program up on its site and it doesn’t look good. The price is fine — $179 might be more than the  $129 battery for the current 17-incher, but by all accounts it is a lot bigger and will last longer.

No, the problem is that you will have to give up your computer to have the battery replaced, even if you take it into the Apple Store. This should set off alarm bells in your head unless you are as trusting as a fluff-brained puppy. While we don’t expect Apple Store employees to dig around inside the deviant depths of your hard drives like their Best Buy counterparts Geek Squad, the risk is always there. Apple:

How long will battery replacement service take?
Length of time to complete the battery replacement will depend upon the repair location and availability of service stock.  In general, the following replacement times apply.

The shortest possible time is for people with an in-store appointment, and is listed as "same day". If this was done in front of you then fine, but it looks like you’ll have to drop off the machine like dry cleaning and come back later to pick it up. For me, this would mean a full backup and a clean reinstall of the OS before dropping it off. Not a huge pain, but a pain nonetheless.

I stand by yesterday’s rant about the non-need for a replaceable battery in such a big machine, but this development might put me off the 17" MacBook Pro. Not that I’d buy one anyway — my weak, atrophied blogger’s arms could never lift the thing.

Replacing the Battery in your MacBook Pro [Apple via Apple Insider]
Photo: ralphfuk/Flickr

See Also:

• Peep Squad III: Geek Squad Employee Steals Porn from Customer’s …
• Why the 17" MacBook Pro Doesn’t Need a Removable Battery