LONDON (Commodity Online): Researchers in Germany have developed a new chip which integrates a fuel cell array that features palladium. Scientists from Freiburg University teamed up with semiconductor vendor Micronas AG to create the device, which contains 42 microscale fuel cells on a CMOS platform. In addition, four extra units were incorporated by the scientists to provide the power for the system and to ensure that the required output of 3.3 volts remained constant. The semiconductor components were built using a CMOS process, with the palladium layer for hydrogen storage, a cathode and a membrane subsequently added for the fuel cell. Karl Hoffmann, who is heading the project for Micronas, explained that the connectivity between the fuel cells is the key to their ability to keep the chip’s output flat. With several elements in parallel and in series, it is much easier to keep voltage and current constant. Hoffman also noted that the chips, which have a one-year lifespan, could eventually provide a viable alternative to traditional power sources in various autonomous systems. A fuel cell could be used as a power buffer for periods when energy harvesting methods don’t generate enough power. The concept of the fuel cell was first uncovered by German scientist Christian Friedrich Schonbein in 1838. http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Palladium-to-fuel-new-chip-21644-3-1.html
I'd be a very happy man if that actually became an actual product and caused demand for palladium to shoot up....
