09 March 2003
THE arrival of the world’s first direct methanol fuel cell (DFMC) could signal the end of rechargeable batteries for mobile computers.
The tiny new prototype, announced this week by the Toshiba Corporation, works for about five hours on 500 ml of fuel contained in a replaceable cartridge.
It provides instant power and achieves significant advances in operating times, without having to be close to a mains power supply.
Toshiba will continue development of DFMC technology, with the aim of commercial availability next year. The prototype will be presented at the CeBIT exhibition in Hanover, Germany from March 12 to 19.
The limitations of current lithium-ion batteries have inhibited the advances made in computer portability by faster CPUs, higher resolution displays, and wireless connectivity that all depend on increased power supply.
Fuel cells are widely seen as the answer, but engineers have battled to overcome the problems of miniaturisation and fuel delivery.
Toshiba has achieved the breakthrough with its DMFC technology, generating clean energy with average output of 12W and maximum output of 20W.
Although methanol in a fuel cell delivers power most efficiently when mixed with water in a 3-6 percent methanol concentration, the compound needs a fuel tank much too large for use with portable equipment.
Toshiba overcame this by developing a system that allows a higher original concentration of methanol – achieving the correct dilution by using water arising as a by-product of the power generation process.
This technology allows methanol to be stored at a much higher concentration, enabling the fuel tank to be less than a tenth of the size.
Toshiba has also devised new technologies for miniaturisation of a high performance fuel cell. These include interface and electric circuits to assure efficient control of power supply, and sensors that monitor methanol concentration and liquid level as well as indicating when the fuel cartridge needs replaced.
All these components, and low power liquid and air transmission pumps, are controlled by a super small DC-DC converter.
For the cell itself, Toshiba developed a new material that allows smaller cells, allowing for miniaturization of the cell stacks.
Optimized operating efficiency was also a priority, ensuring that the fuel cell generates power at the required level with minimal waste of energy. To achieve this, Toshiba researched fuel density, circulation, and air supply levels.
The PC itself sends information on its operating status to the fuel cell so as to balance power demand and supply. Any unused energy is stored in the cell and can be drawn on when the PC requires extra power.
Toshiba has given the DMFC the same electrodes as lithium-ion batteries, so that it can connect directly to a PC or other portable device. It can also be used as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
-Ends-
Main Specifications
Product: Methanol fuel cell directly connected to the PC
Output: Average 12W
Maximum 20W
Voltage: 11V
Size: 275 x 75 x 40mm (825cc)
Weight: 900g
Operating hours: 10 hours with 100cc of fuel, and 5hours with 50cc of fuel
Cartridge weight: 120g (100cc), 72g (50cc) (Approximate)
Cartridge size: 100cc: 50 x 65 x 35mm 50cc: 33x 65 x35mm
Fuel: Methanol
THE arrival of the world’s first direct methanol fuel cell (DFMC) could signal the end of rechargeable batteries for mobile computers.
The tiny new prototype, announced this week by the Toshiba Corporation, works for about five hours on 500 ml of fuel contained in a replaceable cartridge.
It provides instant power and achieves significant advances in operating times, without having to be close to a mains power supply.
Toshiba will continue development of DFMC technology, with the aim of commercial availability next year. The prototype will be presented at the CeBIT exhibition in Hanover, Germany from March 12 to 19.
The limitations of current lithium-ion batteries have inhibited the advances made in computer portability by faster CPUs, higher resolution displays, and wireless connectivity that all depend on increased power supply.
Fuel cells are widely seen as the answer, but engineers have battled to overcome the problems of miniaturisation and fuel delivery.
Toshiba has achieved the breakthrough with its DMFC technology, generating clean energy with average output of 12W and maximum output of 20W.
Although methanol in a fuel cell delivers power most efficiently when mixed with water in a 3-6 percent methanol concentration, the compound needs a fuel tank much too large for use with portable equipment.
Toshiba overcame this by developing a system that allows a higher original concentration of methanol – achieving the correct dilution by using water arising as a by-product of the power generation process.
This technology allows methanol to be stored at a much higher concentration, enabling the fuel tank to be less than a tenth of the size.
Toshiba has also devised new technologies for miniaturisation of a high performance fuel cell. These include interface and electric circuits to assure efficient control of power supply, and sensors that monitor methanol concentration and liquid level as well as indicating when the fuel cartridge needs replaced.
All these components, and low power liquid and air transmission pumps, are controlled by a super small DC-DC converter.
For the cell itself, Toshiba developed a new material that allows smaller cells, allowing for miniaturization of the cell stacks.
Optimized operating efficiency was also a priority, ensuring that the fuel cell generates power at the required level with minimal waste of energy. To achieve this, Toshiba researched fuel density, circulation, and air supply levels.
The PC itself sends information on its operating status to the fuel cell so as to balance power demand and supply. Any unused energy is stored in the cell and can be drawn on when the PC requires extra power.
Toshiba has given the DMFC the same electrodes as lithium-ion batteries, so that it can connect directly to a PC or other portable device. It can also be used as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
-Ends-
Main Specifications
Product: Methanol fuel cell directly connected to the PC
Output: Average 12W
Maximum 20W
Voltage: 11V
Size: 275 x 75 x 40mm (825cc)
Weight: 900g
Operating hours: 10 hours with 100cc of fuel, and 5hours with 50cc of fuel
Cartridge weight: 120g (100cc), 72g (50cc) (Approximate)
Cartridge size: 100cc: 50 x 65 x 35mm 50cc: 33x 65 x35mm
Fuel: Methanol
© Press Release 2003
