Samsung Working On Fuel-Cell Powered Cell Phones

An anonymous reader writes "BusinessWeek reports that Samsung plans to build prototype phones that will be powered by Direct Methanol Fuel Cells." From the article: "The deal also marks a huge vote of confidence in a little-known company. MTI Micro, which had sales of $8 million in 2005, is one of a handful of outfits seeking to bring hydrogen-based fuel-cell technology into more common use. Its Mobion fuel cells have already appeared in industrial handhelds from companies like Intermec, a unit of Unova, and have drawn the attention of military contractors developing devices that soldiers will use in the field. Under the deal, which lasts through the end of the second quarter of 2007, the two companies will jointly research the use of methanol-based fuel-cell technologies for use in cell phones. Any patents that come as the result of the research will be assigned to MTI."

Comments

Alt Energy

[Scigirl451]

I have a solar charger for my mobile phone and it works just fine. I am cheap and like the thought of free energy to power the black hole of money that is my phone. I applaud the expansion of alternative energy technology into our daily lives, but wonder if this is the best application for fuel cells...

Re:Excellent!

[Rei]

A common misunderstanding of the "hydrogen economy". In the idealized hydrogen economy, hydrogen is produced through thermolysis -- directly from heat, thus bypassing the (inefficient) electricity generation stage altogether. Also, since a fuel cell powered vehicle really is electric, it can readily be enabled to do power regeneration. Engines become lighter, cheaper, more efficient, and are freed from the necessity of running off of liquid hydrocarbon chains into something that can be more easily produced.

Other energy sources in a hydrogen economy include using peak solar power (you have extra energy in bright, sunny days), extra hydroelectric power in rainy times, and direct bacterial generation of hydrogen. In the former two cases, you're not starting with heat energy, so you're not losing energy to carnot cycle losses before you get the electricity for electrolysis (with best available tech, about 85% efficient).

Re:Replaceable fuelcell vs. traditional battery -

[corerunner]

You have raised an EXCELLENT point!

TFA states that MTI has arrangements with Gillette (who owns Duracell), which "is helping MTI Micro create a retail and distribution business for a market in disposable fuel cells." They also claim the market could demand up to 80 million units annually.

I've heard plenty about fuel cell cartridges while working in the power electronics research industry, but have yet to see any prototypes until your post inspired me to search. DMFCC has a photo on their home page of their prototype fuel cell cartridges, and judging from the style of container they could be fairly interchangeable.

In the end consumers will be at the mercy of decisions made by these large corporations, so one can only hope that standards will fall into place before too long.