Hitachi,
Ltd. has unveiled a prototype direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) to be used
as an external recharger of mobile devices at "HITACHI uVALUE Convention
2006" that is being held at Tokyo International Forum from July 26 to 27,
2006. Although a mobile phone handset manufactured by Hitachi was being
recharged in the exhibition booth, a spokesperson explains that "the prototype
has been designed for use in mobile devices that are rechargeable via the
USB interface."
The DMFC includes four units of power
generation cells. The foldable main body can be spread into the shape of
a left angle bracket (<) upon power generation. With the main body spread
open, the four surfaces
of the chassis work as the air electrodes for each of the power generation
cells. The fuel cell is equipped with a control circuit and a capacitor
that can store electricity before charging the mobile devices. This time,
instead of using a detachable fuel cartridge, the company has adopted the
so-called satellite structure in which methanol is injected into the fuel
cell body.
As to the specifications of the fuel
cell, "this is merely a conceptual model without using a state-of-the-art
membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The suitable fuel concentration has
not been determined, either. The development mainly focused on making a
pocketable prototype," comments the spokesperson. As a result, the fuel
cell measures about 9 x 9 x 2 cm. Although information on methanol concentration
and fuel tank volume in the fuel cell is not unveiled, the company claims
that its power generation capacity reaches approximately 3 Wh, which is
sufficient to fully recharge a mobile phone once.

|