Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Tip your server.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


       

Please log in.
Before you can vote, you need to register. Please log in or create an account.

Weather Balloons w/ Fuel Cell

Oh the Balloonity!
  (+3)
(+3)
  [vote for,
against]

Yes yes, we know hydrogen is flammable and stuff. However I think there'd be nothing wrong with a weather balloon that used the hydrogen keeping it aloft to power fuel cell and give it a controlled descent.

After all, helium prices are expected to rise.

Madai, Apr 29 2013

my original blather......... Your_20own_20Vulcan_20bomber
[not_morrison_rm, May 01 2013]

[link]






       [+] Helium is an unreplaceable commodity on Earth so I don't see why we're using it up in the first place.   

       Anyways brilliant idea. I think Honda's FC tech has fuel cell weight down to 1lb/kW, so added to an EM (also'ish at 1hp/lb) the weight is equivalent to an IC engine of the same power, at 2-3x's the efficiency; plus better weight distribution.
FlyingToaster, Apr 29 2013
  

       Er, I have bored everyone already with hydrogen balloon/fuel cell, but I was blathering on about Biefeld–Brown drive, as it's the lightest.
not_morrison_rm, Apr 29 2013
  
      
[annotate]
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle