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The Japanese handset manufacturer, KDDI, has launched a new prototype cell phone based on methanol fuel cell. This is the modified version of Toshiba T002 mobile.
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) produce electricity, when methanol, water and air are made to react in an atmosphere. This is a good technique as it produces no harmful by-products except carbon dioxide and water vapour.
There is also a lithium-ion battery to supply constant power to the cell phone when there is power demand through browsing or it remains idle due to power shortage. The fuel cell is meant to act as buffer unit to supply non-stop power to the functioning of the cell.
Interestingly the fuel cell can last up to 320 hours on a single charge and the most important thing is that, the DFMC can be refilled instantly by using some drops of methanol in it. It can also last longer than the T002 pones.
According to the president of the company, the commercial product will be launched later with necessary modifications including the reduction of its weight. For now, the addition of a fuel cell means, it will be slightly thicker. A KDDI spokesman said that it would continue to work for a thinner set in future.
