Startup Readies Long-Lasting Fuel Cell

Medis Technologies, a U.S.-Israeli startup company, is planning to unveil at next month's Consumer Electronics Show power packs that will be able to power or recharge portable electronics gadgets.
The power packs are based on an alkaline fuel cell technology developed by the company and will be able to provide, for example, several complete recharges for dead cell phone batteries or an additional 20 hours of talk time.
The power pack is made up of two parts: a disposable fuel cell component and connector cable. The fuel cell, which measures 3.2 by 2 by 1.4 inches, will provide the raw power while the connector cable will interface between it and the gadget being charged. Cables for different gadgets, fitted with the correct charging connector and voltage regulator, will be available.
Medis envisages these battery alternatives will power cell phones, digital cameras, PDAs, MP3 players, and handheld video games like the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS. For an iPod music player a single Medis fuel cell could keep the gadget running for about 80 hours.
Medis says its technology has advantages over the methanol or hydrogen-based fuel cell technologies being pursued by many major consumer electronics companies.
Existing fuel cell technology involves diluting methanol with water and then dripping into the fuel cell to generate electricity, said Lifton. That process requires micropumps and other components which are very difficult to make and use.
Commercialization of methanol or hydrogen-based fuel cells is also difficult at present because both are potentially hazardous fuels and so their carriage onboard aircraft is currently heavy restricted. Medis' fuel cells can be carried on aircraft with no problem, the company said.