| Tokyo --Kurita
Water Industries has developed the world's first safe and easy-to-carry
solid methanol to be used in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Kurita
has applied its proprietary inclusion technologies, which it uses in the
water treatment process, to convert liquefied methanol into the solid state.
Solid methanol that does not vaporize
is delisted from regulations concerning dangerous and poisonous substances,
as it poses no threat of leakage. Also, the solid fuel can be reused if
methanol is chemically reacted with host compounds.
Kurita has already filed application
for several patents, and the product will be registered for international
safety standards concerning mobile device fuel cells. The company aims
to commercialize solid methanol in 2007, in cooperation with PC and mobile
device manufacturers. The company will exhibit a prototype mobile device
battery charger that uses a solid methanol cartridge at New Earth 2005
to be held at Intex Osaka from October 26 to 29.

|