Medis to Show Fuel Cell Power Pack at CES

Medis Technologies is planning to unveil at next month's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) fuel-cell-based power packs that will be able to power or recharge portable electronics devices, according to a report in InfoWorld.

The power pack is made up of two parts: a disposable fuel cell component and connector cable. The fuel cell, which measures 80 millimeters by 50 mm by 35 mm, will provide the raw power while the connector cable will interface between it and the gadget being charged. Cables for different gadgets, fitted with the correct charging connector and voltage regulator, will be available.

Medis is planning to commercially launch the devices in the second half of 2006 as the "back to school" season begins in the U.S., Lifton said in a statement. At that time, they'll be available in a small number of stores ahead of a major launch planned for 2007, according to the company's plans.

Initial production will begin on a semi-automated line in Israel. Medis plans to make about 100,000 fuel cells on the line in 2006 to enable the second-half launch and move towards mass manufacturing begins in 2007. As reported earlier, mass production will be handled by Celestica at a plant in Ireland with a capacity of 1.5 million power packs per month. In high-volume the company anticipates the power packs will cost about $8 each to distributors. The end-user price will be slightly higher.

Medis says its technology has advantages over the methanol or hydrogen-based fuel cell technologies being pursued by many major consumer electronics companies. Existing fuel cell technology involves diluting methanol with water and then dripping into the fuel cell to generate electricity, said Lifton. That process requires micropumps and other components that are very difficult to make and use, he said.

"That's why after 20 years of development there is no commercial fuel cell. People in our company came from a whole different direction. Instead of pumping and using moving parts they came up with a method in which the materials do everything. The materials we use create all our electrochemical results," he said.

"It can be done very inexpensively. Our whole power pack in volume costs $4.50. The platinum alone in a existing fuel cell costs about $8," said Lifton.