Boffins' breakthrough boosts fuel cell output by 50%
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have come up with a way to improve the power output of fuel cells by more than 50 per cent: a better membrane. The material was developed specifically for direct methanol fuell cells (DMFCs) and sits between the cell's two electrodes. It prevents current flowing directly …
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Boffins
Do you need to constantly refer to scientists as "boffins"?
Re: Boffins
Yes we do. It's standard procedure. What's your point?
Step by step
We are coming closer to the Star Wars energy pack. One small cigarette box that can power anything from a blaster to a pair of Radon-Ulzer 620c turbines, or even a lightsaber.
It's the wait that's killing me.
@ Paul
Standard procedure; and accurate to boot!
bof·fin also Bof·fin
n. Chiefly British Slang
A scientist, especially one engaged in research.
Boffins
Seems perfectly reasonable to me;
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boffin
And *don't* bother quoting the Wikipedia reference back at me. I lend it no credence.
Boffin
theres an island off ireland called inish"bofin". i dont think its full of scientists though.
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.617968,-10.199175&spn=0.038846,0.098448&z=14
maybe cos its missing an F
Boffin, a term devalued.
I wouldn't mind if the word Boffin was actually used as slang for research scientists, but these days, your average tabloid journalist uses it for any body who does any kind of research or might vaguely be called a scientist.
In fact the red tops seem to think anyone more intelligent that their readership is a Boffin, which makes my cat Einstein.
Weed?
First thing I though when I saw the pic - Some fed holding a small bag of weed.
A second longer looking I saw it wasnt a baggy at all! Now it just looks like a sweet wrapper.
I dunno, maybe better showing us a sciency diagram pic instead of that ambiguous thing.
BTW Interesting article.
@Tom
You're thinking of "Weirdy Beardies".
There's a Baffin island, maybe that's where they come from?
@Anonymous Coward
They don't have any doctors there either. I once had to be ferried off with concussion.
@ which makes my cat Einstein.
ahh I knew a cat is called Einstien too!
Small point...
"sulfonated tetrafluorethylene copolymer"
Shouldn't that be sulphonated or is that battle lost?
I for one welcome our aluminum over-lords.
@ Small Point...
No sulfonated is correct, it is the sulfur contain group in the polymer....
More Boffiness.... KC
why not distilled water hydrogen PEM fuel cell tech ? to take advantage of this 50% increase
this 50% increase in fuel cell tech is great but why are they looking to use flamable methanol fuel cell tech for laptops and other small portable kit, when theres already distilled water hydrogen PEM fuel cell tech ?
http://www.h-tec.com/education/english/technologie_brennstoff.asp?id=314
http://www.h-tec.com/education/english/sub_produkte/demonstration_exhibition.asp?id=221-
sure hydrogen is more flamable in bulk ,BUT, these units only convert and use tiny amounts at a time compared to the far higher amouts required in carrying Methanol canisters...
and at a pinch you can make your own distilled water for use in these water PEM very easlly.
perhaps it comes down to no margins in it for the distributers, as per petrol there needs to be a profit in it perhaps.
OC in this single PEM case, your average users might not mind paying a premium in less expensive distilled water, as apposed more expensive methanol fuel cell tech running costs.
While we're being pedantic
...about the spelling of sulphur, what's with this "more intelligent that their readership". The comparative conjunction is THAN not THAT. I see this mistake more and more these days and can't figure out why.
Sulphur - A battle lost.
The RSC have picked sulfur and I guess they should know.
http://www.rsc.org/delivery/_ArticleLinking/DisplayArticleForFree.cfm?doi=JM99101FP055&JournalCode=JM
A sad day indeed, I'll be on the aluminium ramparts if you need me.
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