"Methanol based fuel cells produce electric current when methanol reacts with oxygen as it passes through a membrane inside the fuel cell. The byproducts of the reaction are merely water and a little carbon dioxide."

Simple reaction equation reveals that 32 grams of methanol yields 44 gram of carbon dioxide and 36 gram of water. Therefore there is significantly more carbon dioxide released.

These fuel cell thingies will be banned from commercial aircraft because they contain an ounce or so of ethanol that "might explode".

Meanwhile the airline's drinks cart will have scores of little bottles containing an ounce or so of ethanol rolling up and down the aisles.

That is, if and when this ever happens. Like Pete, I, too, recall having seen variations on this same story over and over since the 1980's. "Real Soon Now".

...yes, but likely to combust violently on contact with oxygen? No. To my mind that makes them some degree safer than lithium ion batteries are.

Also, if you remember, after the whole Dell/Sony campfire-edition© laptops several airlines banned laptops from the cabins for precisely this reason.

This sounds like deja vu (all over again). I'm sure I've read this, or similar, stories ebery year since I don't know when - probably around 1986.

With all these wizzy new technologies I tend to follow the same pattern of behaviour:

- read article says it'll be out next year
- post silly comment about it (OK, this is recent)
- forget about it
- remember years later
- wonder whatever happened to it
- express surprise when it finally emerges
- wait several more years for the price to become reasonable
- buy it
- feel disappointed and/or conned

... alcohol powered fuel cells will be the cause of global warming in the year 3000.

Don't take my word it, ask the Emperor of the Moon!

I'm not too keen on the idea of this fuel cell for consumer electronics devices. It seems to me its ok for cars and such, but can you imagine trying to get on a plane for a long haul flight with a bottle of Meths to keep charging your devices?

Airport Attendent: "Excuse me sir, could you explain why you are bringing a bottle of flammable liquid on board this aircraft?"

Passenger: "Its to charge my iPod and laptop during the flight!"

Airport Attendent: "A likely story......Bob get the KY and you, spread 'em!"