Apple has long been one of our country's top technology innovators. (We're still just getting acquainted with Siri.) And now, the next chapter in their book of ground-breaking design appears to be iThings powered by Hydrogen fuel cells.

According to the Telegraph, 'A hydrogen fuel cell converts hydrogen and oxygen into water and electrical energy.' The technology isn't unique to electronics. It's also being explored by auto companies and the military.

As a result of the new power source, batteries in phones and computers could last for weeks at a time and the devices themselves would be lighter and more compact. Also, the only bi-product of the fuel is water, unlike batteries with toxic chemicals, making it much more eco-friendly. 

The two patents recently submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office were for “Fuel Cell System to Power a Portable Computing Device” and “Fuel Cell System Coupled to a Portable Computing Device.” 

With impending advances like this, it's exciting to imagine what's next for our favorite phones and computers. Screen Projection? Bodyheat-powered Battery? Sim card implants? Hmmm... (Hopefully Hollywood is wrong about our inevitable global domination by the machines.) 

[Future iPhone concept here.] 

Future iPhone concept

via http://lockergnome.net/