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Fuel Cells for Mobiles and Laptops Closer

Millennium Cell and The Dow Chemical Company have teamed up to develop portable fuel cell systems for mobiles, laptops and military applications. Hydrogen-based fuel cells offer the potential for longer run times and greater functionality for laptop computers and mobile phones, the companies said. For military applications, they provide higher energy densities at dramatically lighter weights. The jointly developed systems will be based on Millennium Cell’s Hydrogen on Demand technology in conjunction with Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells. Millennium Cell’s acting chief executive and president H David Ramm said: “The keys to unlocking longer run times and greater functionality are breakthroughs in new materials, chemistry and engineering.” Dow said that new sources of portable power are essential to supporting the next generation of consumer electronics. Energy systems based on Hydrogen on Demand safely generate hydrogen through the use of sodium borohydride. This chemical compound is non-combustible, high in energy density, easily distributed, and convenient for consumer use, the company said.

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More than 26 Million Certified Organic Hectares Worldwide

A new study concludes that the number of organic farms worldwide has grown 10% from last year to 26 million hectares. The study, “The World of Organic Agriculture Statistics and Emerging Trends 2005” was conducted by The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, and the Foundation Ecology & Farming (SL), Germany. Australia leads with 11.3 million hectares, followed by Argentina (2.8 million hectares) and Italy with more than one million hectares. Regarding the share of organic farmland in comparison with the total agricultural area, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavian countries lead the way. In Switzerland, for example, more than ten percent of the agricultural land is managed organically. In 2003, the market value of organic products worldwide reached US$25 billion, the largest share of organic products being marketed in Europe and North America. In upcoming years, Bernward Geier of IFOAM expects ongoing growth of the market and organic land area, also due to an increased support of governments and development organisations. The study can be downloaded at a cost of 8 Euros: http://shop.fibl.org, order number 1365 Chapter 2 of the study, Current Status of Organic Farming World-Wide, summarizing the main results and […]

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