News

MTI Micro Unveils New Mobile Fuel Cell Prototype For Digital Cameras

March 03, 2008 by Jeff Shepard

MTI MicroFuel Cells (MTI Micro), the developer of the Mobion® micro fuel cell technology and a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology Inc. has unveiled a new prototype for the digital camera market.

MTI Micro’s new Mobion powered Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) camera-grip prototype works like a camera battery-pack grip for digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. The prototype is said to be designed to provide twice as much energy as existing camera battery-pack grips of the same size. Also, the Mobion camera grip can be refilled with methanol for instant power, which allows photographers the freedom to use the camera any time, anywhere, without having to recharge from a wall outlet.

"Digital cameras make up the second largest revenue segment in the consumer lithium-ion battery market," said Peng Lim, CEO of MTI. "With more advanced features being designed into new models, such as high-definition video recording and playback, battery life becomes a key issue. This camera grip prototype demonstrates our ability to remove power consumption issues for manufacturers, so that they can keep innovating and developing new products."

MTI Micro is developing Mobion cord-free rechargeable power pack technology as a solution for powering the multi-billion dollar portable electronics market. MTI Micro’s strategy is to enter the market in 2009 with Mobion products for use in the consumer electronics industry for applications like cell phones, digital cameras, PDAs, MP3 players and other handheld electronic devices.