As mobile equipments recently become compact and light weight, higher capacity of batteries as main power sources is required. In addition, the expectation for fuel cells, which are next generation power sources as a clean energy have increased. Presently, "direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC)" which use methanol as fuel and "polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC)" which use hydrogen as fuel, such as highly compressed hydrogen have been developed. Technical problems of DMFC are low power density and methanol crossover, and that of PEFC are complicated equipment and high cost of reformer and high-pressure tank.

PEFC, which was developed, utilizes hydrogen sources by the reaction of aluminum and water. Therefore, the hydrogen generating system is simple and low cost. The generation of hydrogen by the reaction of aluminum and water has been researched by Professor Masao Watanabe of Muroran Institute of Technology. Maxell developed a further improvement process and a new aluminum particulate conversion process. The total amount of hydrogen generation is 1.3 liters per 1 gram of aluminum at room temperature. In addition, aluminum is inexpensive and environment friendly. In the future, aluminum rubbish will be utilized as hydrogen sources, and you can expect also the effective use of resources. In addition Maxell developed membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), which is one of key components of fuel cells, utilizing Maxell’s core technology "dispersion and coating technology in magnetic tapes". Maximum power density of MEA is 280mW/cm2 at room temperature. It shows 5 times higher than that of DMFC (Maxell’s data) . 10 W class fuel cells with this hydrogen generation system were developed for mobile power sources, and it could operate laptop PC.

Maxell advances R&D with the aim of applying fuel cells to 10 to 100W class power sources.

* With the phenomenon where methanol passes a polymer electrolyte membrane, it becomes not only fuel loss, but cause of low voltage and heat generation which depend upon the oxidation reaction of transmitted methanol.

Features
1. Development of 10 W class fuel cells with hydrogen generating system by the reaction of aluminum and water.
The hydrogen generation system by the reaction aluminum and water was developed. Utilizing this system, 10 W class fuel cells was developed and could operate laptop PC. By exchanging aluminum cartridges and water cartridges, it is continuously possible to work laptop PC and emergency power sources etc. for a long time.

2. With a new aluminum particulate conversion process, total amount of hydrogen generation is close to the theoretical limit.
Maxell developed a new aluminum particulate conversion process. Total amount of hydrogen generation is 1.3 liters per 1 gram of aluminum at room temperature. The hydrogen amount is close to the theoretical limit.

3. Power density of 280mW/cm2 and 5 times higher than that of DMFC (Maxell’s data)
Utilizing Maxell’s core technology "dispersion and coating technology in magnetic tapes ", Maxell developed membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), which is one of key components of fuel cells. Maximum power density of MEA is worldwide highest level, 280mW/cm2 at room temperature. The power density shows 5 times higher than that of DMFC (Maxell’s data) .