The device is a 2-in-1 solution that is a portable fuel cell and a battery pack. The portable battery pack can be operated on its own as a source of power or it can act as a storage device for the fuel cell. The fuel cell will charge the depleted main battery.

To keep the fuel cell working the user only needs a new fuel pack and water. The PowerTrekk will charge any device that plugs in via USB. The pricing and availability of the PowerTrekk are unknown but I would think it would be in the sub-$100 range.

Meanwhile, further research showed it was possible to significantly reduce the operating temperatures of the SOFCs, from the more typical 800–1000°C down to just 300–500°C. “If you can realize high-performance solid-oxide fuel cells that operate in the 300–500°C range,” Ramanathan says, “you can use them in transportation vehicles and portable electronics, and with different types of fuels.”

Finally, by switching from pure hydrogen to methane – a switch enabled by the more accommodating temperatures – the fuel side of the equation becomes cheaper, since methane requires less refining. It’s too early to talk runtimes and pricing, but micro-SOFC commercial viability is definitely one step closer.

[via Physorg]

The MiniPak from Horizon isn’t the only fuel cell charger out there, but it may be the best looking, and it’s certainly the cheapest. It comes with two refillable cartridges, which should mean you’re covered for awhile while on the go. Why? Because each cartridge has a life expectancy equal to about 1,000 AA-batteries. Using Hydrogen to power the cartridges, and therefore your nifty gadgets, means it will last awhile, and each recharge shouldn’t actually bleed you dry, either.

The best part of it all, besides the powering options, is the fact that you will be able to purchase it for only $100. And, we’re hearing that recharges are only going to cost about the same as buying a new pack of batteries. So, you should be saving quite a bit of money here, while still keeping all your toys fully charged. So, if you’re interested, head on over to Horizon’s website, and get one of for yourself. And of course, let us know in the comments if you take the plunge.

[via GizMag]

However, other alternative fuel sources are being researched as well like fuel cells. GM has been testing hydrogen fuel cells in the Chevy Equinox for several years now. One of the things I have always wondered was exactly how a fuel cell was built and how far the tech as come since GM first started working on it about three years ago.

GM has a new video that goes over the construction process of a fuel cell prototype and shows how far the tech has come. The first fuel cells form three years ago were large devices. Today’s fuel cells are significantly smaller than the older versions, yet produce more power. Hit the video below to see for yourself.

The system is designed to support mobile networks in any location be it off-grid or in locations with unreliable power. The system is self-contained and self-recharging. The only fuel the device needs is water and it produces no gas emissions. The device can be used as backup power or as mains power.

Each of the ElectroSelf device has two units measuring 600 x 800mm and needing no dedicated air conditioning. Power is produced when needed by combining hydrogen and oxygen with the only by product produced being water. The hydrogen fuel is produced by electrolysis of wastewater created from the power generation phase automatically when there is power.

A designer named Daizi Zhend has designed a concept phone for Nokia that gets the power it needs from the sugar in a can of soda. The phone can run on any sugary water if your preferred poison isn’t Coke as you see in these pictures.

If you are like me and prefer diet sodas, you will need some of the fully leaded variety should this concept ever come to be. The design is also fully biodegradable and the fuel cell promises to last three or four times longer than conventional batteries.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s inside a fuel-cell then their run-down of the Dynario’s contents makes for interesting reading.  It’s actually reasonable simple, at least in terms of the core power generating cell, though the surrounding components are pretty complex.

Of course, with Toshiba only releasing 3,000 of the units, Tech-On’s judgement that the 29,800 yen ($335) price tag is low for everything you get means we’re left wanting the fuel-cell but probably unable to buy one.  They reckon Toshiba will switch to a new design with the new model, treating this first-gen fuel-cell as a prototype.

The fuel cell is called the Dynario and is a DFMC that can be refilled with methanol in about 20 seconds for continuous power. The methanol is injected into a dedicated cartridge within the device. The power created by the fuel cell is sent out via a USB cable to charge devices like mobile phones and PMPs. A single methanol fill can recharge up to two average mobile phones.

The fuel cell produces DC5V power at 400mA and holds 14ml of methanol in its fuel cartridge. The device weighs 280g without the fuel and measures 150mm W x 21mm D x 74.5mm H. The fuel cell will be limited to a run of 3,000 units and will sell via Toshiba’s direct sales website shop1048.jp for 29,800 yen. The fuel cartridges will sell for 3,150 yen for a set of five. The fuel cell will ship on October 29 and can be ordered now.

Each cell lasts up to 18 months unused, and is activated merely by squeezing it and slotting it into the charger device.  Once activated, the cell should last for up to 3 months, though Medis recommend using it within six weeks.

T-Mobile bundle the fuel-cell with various charging tips, to suit different cellphones and smartphones, and other adapters are available separately.  The Medis Xtreme Portable Fuel Cell Charger is available now, priced at $24.99.

Press Release:

T-MOBILE WILL OFFER MEDIS 24/7 XTREME™ FUEL CELL PORTABLE POWER SOLUTION
“Mobilize with T-Mobile for a Greener Planet”

NEW YORK, NY (October 21, 2009) . . . . Medis Technologies Ltd. (Pink Sheets: MDTL) announced that its 24/7 Xtreme Portable Power Solution will be offered by T-Mobile on its new microsite at www.mobilizewitht-mobile.com. The site is a pure-green site where a visitor can learn about green initiatives, or buy a T-Mobile product or accessory. You can even have a tree planted to help slow down climate change. In addition, the product can also be found in the accessories section of the main T-Mobile website at http://www.tmobile.com/shop/addons/Accessories/AccLanding.aspx.

Medis CEO Jose Mejia commented, “This T-Mobile site is the most appropriate place yet for Xtreme – because the products are pure green, probably the greenest energy source on Planet Earth. The Xtreme Portable Power Solution is essential when you need to charge your phone and are away from a traditional electric outlet—it is great for the airport when there are no outlets available, or when working outdoors, or hiking, camping, boating, biking—the possibilities are endless.”

Mejia continued, “The best part is that our electricity is generated without emitting elements harmful to the environment, such as carbon or carbon dioxide, and without any heavy metals. There are no emissions and no measurable heat generated. Fresh green electricity can be made available when and where you need it – under any climatic conditions. We are very pleased to have been chosen for T-Mobile’s green site.”

The Xtreme Portable Power Solution contains the world’s first personal fuel cell power system that delivers mobile phone power when a user needs it most. Based on the Medis Direct Liquid Fuel Cell Technology, Xtreme delivers instant emergency power to portable devices without batteries or pre-charging. Xtreme can power a mobile phone, or a MP3 player for many days when grid power is not available, and when batteries have given up or faded out.
Xtreme products are easily recyclable, contain no toxic or hazardous substances, and are allowed onboard airplanes by the TSA. They comply with the Department of Homeland Security’s “Resolve to be Ready 2009” campaign.

For more information about Medis Technologies and its fuel-cell-powered products, please visit www.medistechnologies.com.

The prototype fuel cell that company is showing off is a sort of hybrid device that has the fuel cell coupled to a lithium ion battery to help provide enough power for surges in use. The battery/fuel cell hybrid is good for the aforementioned 320 hours of run time and a recharge is as quick as refilling the methanol container.

The big letdown of this prototype is that KDDI doesn’t expect to have the technology on the market for at least a few years. One day we will be able to go for weeks without having to find an AC outlet for our gadgets, one day.

The unnamed device uses a DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) that uses a controlled reaction between air, water and methanol to create electricity.  That is then used to recharge cellphones, PMPs and other small devices.

Toshiba have promised the launch before the end of this current quarter, which suggests they see the fuel-cell arriving before September is out.  Beyond the portable charger – which will use replaceable sealed methanol cartridges – they’re planning fuel-cell powered laptops and compact versions for cellphones.

[via Reg Hardware]

There are multiple handheld products that will all feature touchscreens and some will have QWERTY keyboards. The TG01, 4.1″ handheld will be released with an update as the TG02 in Q4 of 2009; basically the same product except waterproofed, and the TG03 later in Q4 will add a 3″ speaker. Also in Q4, Toshba is going to launch a 15-mm QWERTY slider version TG01. The new model will feature a capacitive touchscreen and will use WinMo 6.5.

The K02 clamshell with a 3.5″ display and QWERTY keyboard on the inside, and a secondary 10-key screen keypad on the outside. The K01 will have a resistive touchscreen and an HSPA data connection. Finally, the 7″ L01 will launch Q4 of 2009, and will deliver on the promise made by Toshiba to have a fuel-cell powered device on the market before March of 2010. The L01 will use Windows Mobile 6.5 and have the same WVGA resolution as the other smaller devices. These are all assuming the leak is genuine, which the slide looks to be.

[Via Engadget and Techblog.gr]

A USB port allows you to recharge your phone, PMP or other device from the fuel-cell, with it automatically switching between using just the methanol or both that and the Li-Ion pack depending on the power requirements.  Excess power from the fuel-cell component is stored in the Li-Ion battery.

Meanwhile the larger, home charging unit (which looks a little like a set of kitchen scales) has two USB ports but works on pretty much the same principle.  Sony also demonstrated some cordless home stereo speakers, the hybrid fuel-cell component of which could apparently keep them powered for a year from a single refuel.

[via Gizmodo]

That runtime might be down somewhat from other systems we’ve heard about, but the difference is that Panasonic are trying to get it all to fit inside a standard notebook battery compartment.  Refuelling would be via an injection of highly concentrated methanol, with 50cc’s needed to give you that roughly five hours of use.

The company has also been demonstrating some longer-lifespan prototype fuel cells, capable of running for up to 20hrs from 200cc’s of methanol.  It’s uncertain whether or when these prototypes might reach the market.

[via Engadget]

Teckentrup admitted that Toshiba was working through some last minute hurdles, including government regulation and methods with which fuel would be distributed, describing the situation as “very complicated” and that “there are still problems to sort out”.  Nonetheless, he made the prediction that the issues would be dealt with in the short-term, not the long.

Toshiba have declined to reveal which products might be released with the fuel-cell technology.  Last year the company demonstrated an ethanol-powered PMP, and more recently a UMPC that relied on a fuel-cell for its power source.

To put that into context, Li-Ion batteries can lose up to 50-percent of their capacity over two years.  That means more frequent recharge cycles and shorter usage time, or alternatively a premature replacement.

MTI Micro are quoting average cellphone user times of 3,000 included minutes per month, which adds up to 1,200 hours over a typical two-year contract.  Assuming standby was far less demanding of power, the Mobion pack would be able to run that without needing a refuel.  Of course, actual use will likely differ significantly from test conditions, but it looks as though fuel cells are finally coming of age.

Press Release:

MTI Micro Demonstrates Industry Breakthrough in Fuel Cell Life Test

ALBANY, N.Y. –(Business Wire)– Jul. 11, 2008 MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. (“MTI Micro”), the developer of Mobion(R) off-the-grid portable power solutions and a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated (“MTI”) (NASDAQ: MKTY), today announced that it has achieved 2,700 hours of continuous operation with a Mobion(R) laboratory cell – the building block of the Company’s Mobion(R) chip and systems. In comparison, a typical cell phone plan in the U.S., marketed to moderate to heavy users, includes 3,000 minutes per month which, over the life of a typical 2 year contract, translates to only 1,200 hours of use.
In an industry report published by the Journal of Power Sources, tests conducted on direct methanol micro fuel cells show degradation of up to 35% after only 360 hours of operation. In addition to the 2,700 hours of continuous run-time, our Mobion(R) test, which is still ongoing, successfully demonstrated a significant achievement by showing power degradation of less than 15% – which we believe is a breakthrough for the micro fuel cell industry.

“Our test results are a clear indication of the technical progress we have made on performance metrics including life, degradation, temperature, and humidity levels which are required to bring products to market in the consumer electronics industry. To our knowledge, there are no other published results that match ours,” said Jim Prueitt, Vice President of Engineering and Operations at MTI Micro. “With these results, we believe we continue to be a leader in the micro fuel cell industry as we work toward the commercialization of our Mobion(R) power sources.”

According to Frost and Sullivan, the average power degradation in a lithium ion battery can be approximately 50% of their charging capacity after two years. As most cell phone users notice after a short time of ownership, the battery in their phone does not hold a charge like it did when it was new. They must recharge their phones more and more often and be more conscious of saving power.

“In less than a year, we have been chosen by three consumer electronic OEMs who are striving to meet the needs of consumers who want a longer lasting and more reliable power source,” said Peng Lim, Chairman and CEO of MTI. “We believe these results show our technological leadership and our future ability to help OEMs meet those needs with our Mobion(R) technology.”

With these latest test results, MTI Micro is also in line with targets set by the Department of Energy in a recent funding opportunity announcement which required fuel cells under 50 Watts to have a life test of at least 2000 hours.

MTI Micro’s strategy is to provide Mobion(R) portable power products for use in the multi-billion dollar consumer electronics industry for applications including cell phones, digital cameras, PDAs, MP3 players and other handheld electronic devices. The Company’s Mobion(R), 100% methanol feed, passive DMFC technology has been demonstrated in fully-functional prototypes and concept models in three primary product directions: external cord-free rechargeable power packs, attached fuel cell power sources and embedded micro fuel cell designs.

About MTI MicroFuel Cells

MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. (“MTI Micro”), a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated (NASDAQ: MKTY), is the developer of Mobion(R) off-the-grid portable power solutions. MTI Micro has a team of entrepreneurial business executives, researchers and scientists; a proprietary direct methanol micro fuel cell power system and a number of system prototypes demonstrating size reductions and performance improvements; and related intellectual property. MTI Micro has received government funding and developed strategic partnerships to facilitate efforts to achieve commercialization. More information is available at http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com.

While no suggestion of how the system – described by Canon as “smaller and lightweight” compared to existing fuel cells – could be included in the camera is given, it’s possible that a similar arrangement to MTI Micro’s Mobion fuel cell prototype could be used.  In fact, MTI Micro have recently announced that they are working with a Japanese digital camera maker, as yet unspecified, to produce commercial products based upon their prototype DSLR grip power pack.  Mobion can provide twice as much power as similarly-sized traditional battery packs, and is “recharged” by slotting in a new methanol pack.

Both Sharp and Sonyhave recently announced their own fuel cells, although it’s as yet unclear which – if any – gadgets they intend to include them in.  We’re also yet to see a standardized methanol packs, which would probably be necessary if fuel cells are to seriously rival traditional batteries.

[via Photography Bay]

That’s actually around seven times greater than previous Sharp technology could manage. The company’s stated goal is to produce a DMFC which is the same size as a lithium-ion battery but produces far more power output, ideal for a mobile device. Work so far is presumably the product of Sharp’s collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories, announced at the start of 2006; no release date has been suggested for a commercial product.

Multiple other companies are currently working on fuel cells, including Toshiba, Sony and MTI Micro. However while Sony’s super-compact cell uses active pumping of methanol, the Sharp cell is passive and thus the densities are not being compared. Both, though, could be “recharged” as simply as slotting in a new cartridge of methanol.

[via PC World]

Three Watts is enough to run a mobile phone for fourteen hours on just 10ml of methanol.  This power could either be used to directly run the mobile device, or to recharge its li-ion battery.  In their prototype, shown above, both the fuel-cell and the battery were combined, together with a control board.

Sony claim to be commercializing the fuel-cell, focusing on the mobile device market.  Unlike MTI Micro’s system, the Sony fuel-cell is ‘active’, with a pump to drive the methanol through.

Since you might not want to use that all for navigation, MTI Micro have also equipped the prototype with a powered USB port that can recharge other small electronics.  That way your cellphone, PMP or digital camera could be topped up when away from a power point.  The company envisages a system whereby replacement methanol packs are supplied in-store in a similar manner to disposable razor blades

On show at this year’s International Small Fuel Cells Conference in Atlanta, the GPS prototype will be accompanied by MTI Micro’s existing power pack for digital SLR cameras reference design. 

[via NaviGadget]