Now, methanol fuel cell to charge mobile externally
By siliconindia   |   Friday, 23 October 2009, 14:57 IST   |    11 Comments
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Now, methanol fuel cell to charge mobile externally
Tokyo: Toshiba has launched its first direct methanol fuel-cell (DMFC) product Dynario, an external power source that delivers power to mobile digital consumer products. It runs on mix of methanol and ambient oxygen, and the chemical reaction between the two in the fuel cell produces electricity. Once fueled with an injection of methanol solution from its dedicated cartridge, Dynario starts to generate electricity that is delivered to a digital consumer product - a mobile phone or a digital media player - via a USB cable. On a single refill of methanol, which can be made in an instant period (around 20 seconds), Dynario can generate enough power to charge two mobile phones. Toshiba's fuel cell technology allows Dynario to operate with only a small volume of concentrated methanol solution, reducing the size and weight of the fuel tank and the overall product. A fuel feed structure realizes uniform methanol delivery, and stable output to any attached device is fine-tuned by a built-in microcomputer. Performance is also optimized by Dynario's hybrid structure, which uses a lithium-ion battery charged by the fuel cell to store electricity. Dynario, together with a dedicated fuel cartridge for refueling on the go, will be launched in Japan, in limited edition of 3,000 units only. Orders will be accepted from October 22, and shipping will start on October 29. Toshiba will gauge customer reaction and opinion from the Japanese release of Dynario and reflect them in the development of future DMFC products.

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