Fuel cells for mobiles and laptops a step closer

Millennium Cell and The Dow Chemical Company have teamed up to develop portable fuel cell systems for mobiles, laptops and military applications.

Hydrogen-based fuel cells offer the potential for longer run times and greater functionality for laptop computers and mobile phones, the companies said. For military applications, they provide higher energy densities at dramatically lighter weights.

The jointly developed systems will be based on Millennium Cell's Hydrogen on Demand technology in conjunction with Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells.

Millennium Cell's acting chief executive and president H David Ramm said: "The keys to unlocking longer run times and greater functionality are breakthroughs in new materials, chemistry and engineering."

Dow said that new sources of portable power are essential to supporting the next generation of consumer electronics.

Energy systems based on Hydrogen on Demand safely generate hydrogen through the use of sodium borohydride. This chemical compound is non-combustible, high in energy density, easily distributed, and convenient for consumer use, the company said.