Hybrid power systems, comprising of a fuel cell and Li-ion/Li-Po combination, will become a mainstream solution by the end of the decade, and visiongain believes that fuel cell-only mobile devices will eventually displace hybrid solutions.

Visiongain estimates that shipments of fuel cells in mobile devices will grow from 7 million in 2009 to 92.6 million in 2011, accounting for around 10% of all handset shipments that year, with exponential growth seen thereafter.

A longer battery life is of high demand by both the consumer and enterprise segments, with consumer surveys showing extended battery life to be the most desired functionality by end users. Handset OEMs and mobile operators who can cater to this demand with longer phone operating hours can create a powerful element of product and service differentiation.

Indeed, visiongain has found that OEMs and operators are waking up to the potential presented by fuel cells for the next generation of mobile phones and laptops. Fuel cell manufacturers, on the other hand, are aggressively working beyond R&D to commercialise their products, with 2007 being the year that many vendors bring their products into the market.

“We believe that commercialisation, including safety and in-flight concerns, technology and environmental issues are aligning with Active DFMC, which also meets the energy requirements for handhelds and laptops. Having said that, initial success is coming for borohydrides, which is non-flammable, non-toxic and works at a range of temperatures, including room temperature,” says visiongain analyst and the report’s lead author Dr Kauhik Das.

Costs are hurdle, admits Dr Das. “Volume production capabilities that need substantial investments could help to bring down costs. However, the demand for fuel cells has not yet reached the volume to stimulate such investments. One way to trigger production could be public awareness.”

This report focuses on the use of micro-fuel cells for mobile handsets and laptops. It analyses the market evolution, including shipment, revenue and cost forecasts until 2013. It evaluates the products and strategies of leading fuel cell manufacturers and discusses the competition that fuel cells face with Lithium Polymer and other standard handset battery technologies.

For more information on visiongain, please visit the website: www.visiongainintelligence.com