Toshiba Corp. (Tokyo, Japan) announced what is claimed to be the world's first prototype of a small form factor direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) for portable PCs, a clean energy breakthrough with the potential to end reliance on rechargeable batteries. The new fuel cell currently realizes average output of 12W and maximum output of 20W, and can achieve approximately five hours of operation with a single cartridge of fuel. It provides instant power supply, and achieves significant advances in operating times with replaceable methanol cartridges.
Toshiba overcame the problem of requiring a fuel tank that is much too large for use with portable equipment by developing a system that allows a higher concentration of methanol to be diluted by the water produced as a by-product of the power generation process. The technology allows methanol to be stored at a much higher concentration, and achieves a fuel tank less than 1/10 the size of that required for storing the same volume of methanol in a three-percent to six-percent concentration.
The new DMFC features an average output of 12W, a maximum output of 20W and a voltage of 11V; dimensions of 275mm x 75mm x 40mm (825cc); a weight of 900g; an operating time of approximately five hours with 50cc, and 10 hours with 100cc, of high concentration methanol fuel; a cartridge weight of 120g (100cc) and 72g (50cc) approximate; and a cartridge size for 100cc of 50mm x 65mm x 35mm and a size of 33mm x 65mm x 35mm for 50cc.
Toshiba will continue development of DFMC technology, with the aim of product commercialization within 2004.
