Toshiba Testing Micro Fuel Cells for Mobile Music Players

Toshiba Corp. has developed two fuel cell units small enough to be integrated into small-sized electronic devices and started testing their operation using prototype mobile music players, the company announced on September 16, 2005. The idea is to promote practical application of the world's smallest fuel cell unit, which Toshiba unveiled in June 2004.
http://www.japanfs.org/db/801-e

There are two types of these units, with outputs of 100 and 300 milliwatts, which are incorporated into flash-memory-based digital audio players and an HDD-based audio players, respectively. The 100 mW unit measures 23 x 75 x 10 mm, about the size of a pack of gum, yet it is capable of running the player for about 35 hours on a single 3.5-cc charge of highly concentrated methanol. The prototype players, which include testing components, will be downsized significantly when properly designed for commercial use.

In view of recent moves toward international standardization of micro fuel cells, the company has designed these units in conformity with draft safety standards that are currently being reviewed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Toshiba's fuel cell units feature a passive fuel supply system, and this makes them suitable for smaller applications. In addition, they use undiluted methanol as a fuel, rather than the more commonly used solutions of methanol at concentrations of 30 percent or less. After the completion of the endurance and reliability tests, Toshiba will further enhance its fuel cell technologies, including production technology, with the aim of promoting wide use of its fuel cell products in and after 2007.

http://www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
- Toshiba Develops Thumb-Sized Fuel Cell (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/801-e

Posted: 2006/01/15 03:43:06 PM
Japanese version