All the user needs to do is to top up the fuel cells with hydrogen gas when the fuel runs out - the same way a car is filled up with petrol.

A team from Nanyang Technological University has developed the technology for such hydrogen fuel cells and hopes to produce them for the mass market eventually.

Nguyen Nam Trung, NTU's Assistant Professor, said: "Currently we have filed one US patent on the technology of the fuel cell and we're looking for an industry partner to push the fuel cell onto the commercial market."

The cells can be used for all types of products which use conventional batteries as power sources, such as mobile phones, digital cameras and MP3 players.

They are environmentally friendly, lighter and are also two times more durable than batteries.

The inventors believe the new cells can help manufacturers and end consumers to save on energy costs as they are suitable for low cost mass production.

This is possible through the use of plastic components instead of conventional metal components.

The invention will be showcased at the first World Hydrogen Technologies Convention being held in Singapore next week.