Bye-Bye Batteries?

Dom · Jun 5, 2004, 04:19 AM

A notebook that can run for 10 hours--or longer--before it needs rejuicing? That's the promise of a new battery technology called direct methanol fuel cells. A potential successor to the rechargeable and disposable batteries that power many of today's mobile digital devices, DMFCs generate power by mixing methanol with air and water.

One catch: Most companies are still figuring out how to maximize the power DMFCs provide. Inside the fuel cell, water and methanol must be separated from the catalyst by a membrane. The higher the ratio of methanol to water is, the more powerful the DMFC (and the smaller it becomes).

Also undecided: whether to make the new DMFCs disposable or rechargeable.

Manufacturer Samsung recently displayed a DMFC prototype for notebooks. NEC is also working on one for portable PCs, and Hitachi has plans to sell one for powering PDAs. But don't ditch your existing batteries just yet: Though NEC says it expects to ship its product by year's end, most companies are targeting 2005--and it may be years before the new DMFC technology becomes widespread.

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Source: PCWorld

Jun 5, 2004, 04:19 AM	#1
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	Bye-Bye Batteries? A notebook that can run for 10 hours--or longer--before it needs rejuicing? That's the promise of a new battery technology called direct methanol fuel cells. A potential successor to the rechargeable and disposable batteries that power many of today's mobile digital devices, DMFCs generate power by mixing methanol with air and water. One catch: Most companies are still figuring out how to maximize the power DMFCs provide. Inside the fuel cell, water and methanol must be separated from the catalyst by a membrane. The higher the ratio of methanol to water is, the more powerful the DMFC (and the smaller it becomes). Also undecided: whether to make the new DMFCs disposable or rechargeable. Manufacturer Samsung recently displayed a DMFC prototype for notebooks. NEC is also working on one for portable PCs, and Hitachi has plans to sell one for powering PDAs. But don't ditch your existing batteries just yet: Though NEC says it expects to ship its product by year's end, most companies are targeting 2005--and it may be years before the new DMFC technology becomes widespread. Read More... ______________________ Source: PCWorld