A PLASTIC skin that generates electricity could drive a miniature
airship—and power tomorrow’s laptop computers, lawnmowers or even a small
plane, says its inventor. The skin, patented by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin,
is actually a very extended, hyper-thin fuel cell. Its one drawback is that it
is fuelled by explosive hydrogen gas.
The idea for an energy-generating skin was hatched by Lockheed Martin
engineer Laurence Williams as part of a project to develop lightweight,
remote-controlled reconnaissance airships. “You want something that is low-cost,
lightweight and long range,” he says. But with conventional engines, his tiny
vehicles would only have…
