Now, Methanol fuel cells can be used inside airplane, as proposed by PMHSA, i.e. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation. These methanol fuel cells will be made lighter for usage in airplane, along with a few other restrictions.
In case of laptops, concept of fuel cells is yet a prototype technology. Although, fuel cells are used in transportation, still IBM has done experiment of creating fuel cells with Sanyo. On the other hand, proposal made by DOT is specifically made for fuel cells.
• do not exceed 240 volts or 60 watts;
• may include formic acid (used as a fuel by Tekion, which hopes to have a small fuel-cell powering laptops out in the fourth quarter of 2007);
• would be manufactured to a federally mandated “no leak” standard;
• and be labeled as ”APPROVED FOR CARRIAGE IN AIRCRAFT CABIN ONLY” by the manufacturer.
According to this proposal, on flight passengers are not allowed to top up the fuel cells. But, recharging of fuel cells is still a big question. Now, lets be aware of some interesting facts of methanol fuel cells. Do you know that ingestion of even a little amount of methanol will lead to blindness? Thus, it is surely a matter of consideration.
If innocuous gels/liquids/shampoos are considered dangerous to carry inside the airplane then what about carrying a known volatile liquid inside the carryon baggage. Do not you think, logic of Dot will be feasible?
Via : gearlog
