For years, DMFCs (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells), which typically work by electrochemically convert fuel into electricity, without the combustion process that dooms regular engines to inefficiency, have been promoted as an alternative to the lithium ion batteries used in notebook PCs and other portable electronics gear. DMFCs are useful because power can be obtained instantly by inserting a fuel cartridge recharger.
Some of Japan’s biggest consumer electronics companies have been developing DMFCs. NTT DoCoMo and KDDI, Japan’s number one and number two mobile communications carriers, plan to have fuel cell rechargers for mobile phones in shops in 2007.
The image above shows the prototypes of fuel cell chargers developed together by AU KDDI and Hitachi. The prototypes were displayed at Wireless Japan 2005.
Image Credits: ITmedia (Japanese)
Links:
NTT DoCoMo extends lifetime of methanol fuel cells for mobile phones
How Does A DMFC Work?
