Skip to Content

Fuel Cells Clean Up

A manufacturer unveils the first fuel-cell-powered vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum maker Electrolux has recently partnered with New York’s Manhattan Scientifics and Lunar Design in San Francisco to develop the first fuel-cell-powered vacuum cleaner. It will use a hydrogen fuel-cell technology developed by Passau, Germany-based NovArs. The stacked cylindrical fuel cells-made of lightweight carbon-composite materials held together with sealants instead of bolts and screws-weigh in at only 780 grams each. The cells generate electricity using hydrogen, which passes through a membrane, giving up electrons in the process. The electrons create a charge as they move through a circuit. The fuel cells can power a 1,000-watt motor for several hours of continuous operation, something not possible with rechargeable lead-acid batteries. When the vacuum’s power is exhausted, its hydrogen tank can be replaced as easily as the propane bottle on a barbeque grill. Electrolux plans to begin selling the 4.5-kilogram vacuum cleaner in a backpack model next year.

Keep Reading

Most Popular

DeepMind’s cofounder: Generative AI is just a phase. What’s next is interactive AI.

“This is a profound moment in the history of technology,” says Mustafa Suleyman.

What to know about this autumn’s covid vaccines

New variants will pose a challenge, but early signs suggest the shots will still boost antibody responses.

Human-plus-AI solutions mitigate security threats

With the right human oversight, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can help keep business and customer data secure

Next slide, please: A brief history of the corporate presentation

From million-dollar slide shows to Steve Jobs’s introduction of the iPhone, a bit of show business never hurt plain old business.

Stay connected

Illustration by Rose Wong

Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review

Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.

Thank you for submitting your email!

Explore more newsletters

It looks like something went wrong.

We’re having trouble saving your preferences. Try refreshing this page and updating them one more time. If you continue to get this message, reach out to us at customer-service@technologyreview.com with a list of newsletters you’d like to receive.