Hitachi Readies Fuel Cell for PDAs

Posted by michael on Friday December 12, 2003 @05:47AM 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!"

1 of 205 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Re:Early Adopter? by Kris+Thalamus · 2003-12-12 05:58 · Score: 5, Insightful

Even if the amount methanol in these AA size cells poses no risk, I still think manufactures should consider changing the changing the name of the devices to something other than "fuel cell"; If, for no other reason, than to quell the paranoia of the litigation prone public and the sensationalist press.

It's a sad state of affairs, but PR and marketing can make all the difference to the acceptance of a nascent technologh.