Laptops, Mobiles, PDAs getting Alcoholic too . . .
Laptops mobile phones PDAs printers etc are candidates for a new fuel cell technology capable of delivering watts of power
Fuel Cell Technology is here to replace or at least stands as an alternative to the Lithium-ion cells. Fuel cells works by converting common high-energy fuels such as ethanol, methanol or hydrogen directly into electrical energy and benign by-products such as carbon dioxide and water. The technology is here to power consumer electronic devices without any loss of portability or functionality.
Comparing with the present day market leader, i.e. the Lithium-ion cells, fuel cells provides 8-10 hours of unplugged power supply and looking to go beyond 24 hours in future. Presently, they may be priced in and around $200 compared to $120 - $180 for present laptop batteries. There would be legal issues to it as well; the core fuel being flammable, and standardization as well as regulations have to be sought. It is especially important when carrying a fuel cell enabled consumer electronic device in an airplane. The challenge for this technology also includes the reduction in size and capability to operate in extreme climates.
Companies like Hitachi, Toshiba are already working to reduce the size; and future would see them on mobile phones or PDAs as well. Most of the prototypes being developed use direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) technology. Advances in fuel cell technology are being carried on. Materials and Energy Research Institute Tokyo have invented a fuel cell for laptops which is more compact and powerful than competing technologies. The direct borohydride fuel cell technology is seen as cheaper, more compact and this chemical compound is non-combustible, high in energy density, easily distributed, and convenient for consumer use. It should be on the market by early 2006. IBM and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. have tied up to provide fuel cell powered ThinkPad Notebooks. Though, they would be using hybrid system of a lithium-ion battery with fuel cell. Samsung, Casio, NEC are also powering their laptops with fuel cell.
Certainly, fuel cell seems to provide a promising alternative to power the seamless mobility of consumer electronic device users.
Disclaimer
This article in no way reflects the views, opinions, thoughts or beliefs of any person, institution or organization related to the author and is the personal expression of the author.
Fuel Cell Technology is here to replace or at least stands as an alternative to the Lithium-ion cells. Fuel cells works by converting common high-energy fuels such as ethanol, methanol or hydrogen directly into electrical energy and benign by-products such as carbon dioxide and water. The technology is here to power consumer electronic devices without any loss of portability or functionality.
Comparing with the present day market leader, i.e. the Lithium-ion cells, fuel cells provides 8-10 hours of unplugged power supply and looking to go beyond 24 hours in future. Presently, they may be priced in and around $200 compared to $120 - $180 for present laptop batteries. There would be legal issues to it as well; the core fuel being flammable, and standardization as well as regulations have to be sought. It is especially important when carrying a fuel cell enabled consumer electronic device in an airplane. The challenge for this technology also includes the reduction in size and capability to operate in extreme climates.
Companies like Hitachi, Toshiba are already working to reduce the size; and future would see them on mobile phones or PDAs as well. Most of the prototypes being developed use direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) technology. Advances in fuel cell technology are being carried on. Materials and Energy Research Institute Tokyo have invented a fuel cell for laptops which is more compact and powerful than competing technologies. The direct borohydride fuel cell technology is seen as cheaper, more compact and this chemical compound is non-combustible, high in energy density, easily distributed, and convenient for consumer use. It should be on the market by early 2006. IBM and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. have tied up to provide fuel cell powered ThinkPad Notebooks. Though, they would be using hybrid system of a lithium-ion battery with fuel cell. Samsung, Casio, NEC are also powering their laptops with fuel cell.
Certainly, fuel cell seems to provide a promising alternative to power the seamless mobility of consumer electronic device users.
Disclaimer
This article in no way reflects the views, opinions, thoughts or beliefs of any person, institution or organization related to the author and is the personal expression of the author.
posted by Mastermind Sohag Sarkar at 11:41 AM
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