Fuel Cell Designed to Power Up Cell Phones

MTI MicroFuel Cells plans to introduce a fuel cell that can provide power to cell phones, hand-held computers and other small portable devices for 10 times as long as current batteries can. The fuel cell, scheduled for launch in 2004, uses methanol to make energy. Its first version will be used as an alternate device for recharging batteries. Ultimately, plans call for the direct methanol fuel cells to be used in place of the current lithium-ion batteries. MTI MicroFuel is one of several companies working on fuel cell technology for portable devices. Casio, Toshiba, Hitachi and Motorola also have research underway. (Source: InfoWorld) 

For more information: www.infoworld.com

MobileInfo Comments and Advisory: Battery power is the single weakest link in our dream to capitalize on faster wireless data speeds and interesting 3G wireless applications. We would encourage more research and more VC investment in this area. It could produce huge dividends in future.