Originally published October 15 2005
Toshiba develops methanol fuel cells for portable audio players
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Toshiba Corp. has developed two prototypes of direct methanol fuel cells, according to NE Asia Online, one of which has a 100-mW output and is the size of a pack of gum, and the other has a 300-mW output to power an HDD-based digital audio player. The technology is expected to be commercially available by 2007.
Toshiba Corp has developed two prototypes of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) and begun tests to validate their operation with mobile audio players.
One of the fuel cells, with 100mW output and the size of a pack of gum, can power a Flash-based player for approximately 35 hours on a single charge.
The 100mW unit, similar in shape and size to a pack of gum at a 23 (W) x 75 (L) x 10mm (D), can power the Flash-based player for approximately 35 hours on a single 3.5ml charge of highly concentrated methanol, the fuel that drives the electricity-producing chemical reaction in the fuel cell.
The 300mW unit is 60 x 75 x 10mm and delivers enough power to keep an HDD-based audio player running for approximately 60 hours on a single 10ml charge.
Both prototype players include components related to the testing and are 35 x 110 x 20mm (Flash memory) and 65 x 125 x 27mm (HDD) with the fuel cell units.
The design of the fuel cell units reflects current moves toward international standardization of micro fuel cells and meets the International Electrotechnical Commission's draft safety standards now under review.
Toshiba's DMFC features a passive fuel supply system that is suited to smaller fuel cells and use with a highly concentrated methanol solution.
Fuel cells usually mix methane with water in a concentration of less than 30%, a dilution that supports generating efficiency but which requires a fuel tank that is much too big for portable equipment.
Through durability and reliability tests with the new units, Toshiba will accelerate technology enhancements, including development of production technology, to support integration of DMFC into commercial products expected to appear in and after 2007.
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