Comments on: PolyFuel to demo methanol fuel cell laptop

Company converts a laptop to run with a direct methanol fuel cell, a technology that some consumer electronics makers are showing interest in.

[peramica]

While I'm sure the science questions are difficult, I imagine the greater problem to surmount would be the infrastructure. Where does one get methanol?

[mlamonica]

Good point. The people I've talked to have made it sound as if distribution of these cartridges is doable through existing retail outlets.

[fredtheviking]

I still don't see the value proposition. I mean getting 10 hours on my laptop without a recharge is great, but the system would cost me a pretty penny. I would have to buy cartages (for how much? can't be cheaper than the electric power in battery). Then there is an environment concern with cartages, where do I dispose of them? Also, by the time this technology is available, battery technology will have improved, making the proposition even worse. Also, why is this in the green tech blog? this isn?t a green technology. If anything this will make CO2 problem worse, please explain how this is green.

[mlamonica]

Part of the charter of the Green Tech blog is to cover alternative fuels and this would qualify. How environmentally friendly (emissions, recyclabilty, etc) methanol fuel cells are is a good question. That's a topic I'll try to get more information on.

[ArtInvent]

People have been 'demoing' this concept for almost ten years now. Yes, we all know that there are nice lab kits that run cell phones and laptops on little methanol cartridges. Prototypes are very old news. And no one has ever really said why this would be much better than buying one or two extra lithium batteries and forget the hassle of trying to find a constant supply of methanol cartridges?

[fokkwp]

"Stanford Research Institute" - if you mean "SRI International", it hasn't been known as Stanford Research Institute for several decades.

[mlamonica]

OK, thanks. I changed the reference.

[k2dave]

I think the time for fuel cells in laptops has passed as battery power has improved, and recently heard of a prototype battery that may get 10x the run time of today's Li-ion one - but a prototype is a long way from a commercially viable product. I can see niche applications like running laptops in remote locations away from electricity, though in some cases solar panels can be used, fuel cells are a viable option, more reliable, smaller and less delicate. Perhaps if laptop power requirements go up substantially fuel cells will once again show a big advantage.

[rbrt7]

Could you take a fuel-cell laptop and extra cartridges along on a business trip? It's hard enough to get through security now. I don't see TSA allowing airline passengers to board with a laptop containing flammable liquids! And will the spare cartridge need to fit into your little plastic bag along with your toothpaste and mouthwash? I don't see this as realistic

[cleanenergy4me]

"Could you take a fuel-cell laptop and extra cartridges along on a business trip?"

Yes - See: http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/news/article.asp?id=324

and: http://www.usfcc.com/EM-ICAOPressRelease-07-021.pdf

[cleanenergy4me]

In September 2003, MTI Micro entered into a strategic alliance agreement with Gillette and its Duracell division. The agreement provides for a multi-year exclusive partnership for the design, development and commercialization of a low power direct methanol micro fuel cell power system and a compatible fuel refill system. As part of the strategic alliance, both MTI Micro and Gillette will share and license from each other certain intellectual property assets, and both have the ability to earn royalties. In addition, Gillette has made an initial $1 million investment in MTI Micro common stock, with the potential of an additional investment of $4 million subject to agreed milestones.
In October 2007, MTI Micro announced a continuing collaboration with Samsung Electronics. MTI Micro will prepare Mobion® MFC products for mobile phone applications leading to commercialization in 2009. MTI Micro will also share development updates with Samsung and loan them prototypes for evaluation. Samsung may also request changes to product specifications until December of 2008 and may purchase commercial DMFC samples as soon as they are available.
From: http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/faq/#q9