Details of Apple's plans for the Liquidmetal alloy it licensed earlier this year are beginning to take shape. Rather than a radical new computer or mobile device case, though, it's possible that one of the first uses of the light, strong alloy will be in fuel cells that will replace the batteries of future iPhones and MacBooks. Cult of Mac has discovered a patent granted to Apple for fuel cell collector plates made of Liquidmetal, raising the possibility of mobile devices that can run for weeks without refueling.
Fuel cells take a fuel like hydrogen gas and use an oxidant like the oxygen in the air to create a chemical reaction that separates electrons from the fuel onto collector plates to produce electricity, water and heat. Spacecraft and satellites use fuel cells for onboard power, and the potential to use them to power electronic devices has been recognized for some time.