Toshiba Develops Ultra-Small Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

[Colin Dunstan]

A couple of days ago we discussed the emergence of fuel cells for notebooks and PDA's. Now, according to an article at the EETimes, Toshiba has announced the development of matchbox-sized direct methanol fuel cells with no moving parts, and plans to implement them in mobile devices.

The prototype measures 22 x 56 mm with a thickness of 4.5 mm and includes a 2-cc capacity fuel tank. The fuel cell weighs 8.5 grams, and has an output power of 100 mW. Using a 99.5-percent concentration of methanol, the fuel cell can power low-power consumption devices such as MP3 audio players for about 20 hours, Toshiba said.

Toshiba unveiled an active prototype to power notePCs last spring, and plans to introduce a product later this year. Could this be the beginning of a new area in the world of mobile gadgets? Think of the possibilities... read a full-length book without the need to recharge your PDA. Or spend a long-distance flight with watching two or even three full-length DivX movies...