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Hitachi Readies Fuel Cell for PDAs

Posted by michael on from the fill-'er-up-with-unleaded dept.

Anuj Jain writes "The Register is reporting that Hitachi and Japanese cigarette lighter maker Tokai will ship a direct methanol fuel cell system for PDAs in 2005. The prototype has already been built. The two companies believe they can develop the prototype into a device the size of a AA battery. Hitachi first demonstrated its fuel cell system back in March. NEC is also known to be working on a similar system of its own, as is Toshiba. Unlike Hitachi, they are targeting the notebook computer market. In October, Toshiba showed off a PDA-sized version of its fuel system that can recharge a mobile phone. Another article here. Light on details, but cool photo in the Reg article!"

6 of 205 comments (clear)

  1. "Light on details" by Space+cowboy · · Score: 4, Funny


    Yep, that'd be the hydrogen :-)

    Simon.

    --
    Physicists get Hadrons!
  2. Recharge? by medscaper · · Score: 4, Funny
    ...methanol fuel cell systems...


    Tech : No, sir. You should NOT try to recharge them like that...

    --
    Any sufficiently well-organized Government is indistinguishable from bullshit.
  3. CH3OH by whovian · · Score: 4, Funny

    (glugg, glugg) Help! I can't see my PDA!

    --
    To-do List: Receive telemarketing call during a tornado warning. Check.
  4. Re:Early Adopter? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I wouldn't recomend drinking methonol.

    Well I might, depending on what kind of person you are. But in general I wouldn't.

  5. Changing the name by wowbagger · · Score: 5, Funny

    To what should they change it?

    Booze Battery?

    Vodka Wattsa?

    Gin-erator (or En-Gin)?

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    www.eFax.com are spammers
  6. Huh? by Eric_Cartman_South_P · · Score: 4, Funny

    Also, the thought of a liquid methanol next to all those hot electronics make me wince.

    I'm sure the though of having 10-20 gallons of GAS! just a yard away from your ass, and forcing the gas into cylinders where it will be mixed with air and EXPLODE thousands of times a second might also make you wince!

    I guess I can cross of full cells for the Palm, and cars from your x-mas wish list. :)