Author Topic: a 100y lifetime project : incredibly difficult ?  (Read 31136 times)

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Offline miguelvp

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Re: a 100y lifetime project : incredibly difficult ?
« Reply #125 on: September 17, 2014, 06:32:45 pm »
Just realized something, the energy density of methanol and other hydrocarbons and how a fuel cell could convert it to electricity little by little.

For example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_methanol_fuel_cell

But there are many fuel cell technologies and fuel combinations but that would be a good approach.
I wonder if using very low powered devices and eInk the butane in a disposable lighter might last 100 years for such a low powered device. Add some solar to assist and you are done.
 

Offline SeanB

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Re: a 100y lifetime project : incredibly difficult ?
« Reply #126 on: September 17, 2014, 06:37:01 pm »
Problem then is the allowing of that horrible corrosive element Oxygen into the sealed enclosure. Fuel cells all degrade with time. Best would be around 3g of Americium and a few thermocouples ( peltier junctions are cheap these days) to convert the low grade heat to electric power. That at least will last the century or more required, and will fit in a small package and is relatively easy to shield with only a small amount of lead and Boron.
 

Offline miguelvp

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Re: a 100y lifetime project : incredibly difficult ?
« Reply #127 on: September 17, 2014, 06:47:37 pm »
fuel cell related:

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2011/November/10111101.asp

not time analysis on how long it will stayed powered or decay.
 


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