To be displayed at the upcoming CeBIT fair in Hannover, Toshiba's new small form factor direct methanol fuel cell could deliver a serious blow to conventional batteries.
Toshiba today announced what the company claims is the world's first prototype of a small form factor direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) for portable PCs. According to Toshiba, the new fuel cell currently realizes average output of 12W and maximum output of 20W, and can achieve approximately five hours of operation with a single cartridge of fuel - capable of replacing the role of traditional batteries.
Fuel cells are widely seen as a potential replacement for lithium ion and other kinds of rechargeable batteries, but companies working on their development have to overcome the problems of miniaturization and fuel delivery. Now, Toshiba says it has achieved this with its DMFC, posing a potential breakthrough in battery technology.
Methanol in a fuel cell delivers power most efficiently when it is mixed with water in a 3 to 6% methanol concentration, according to Toshiba's calculations - a concentration requiring a fuel tank that is much too large for use with portable equipment. Toshiba overcame this hurdle by developing a system that allows a higher concentration of methanol to be diluted by the water produced as a by-product of the power generation process. This technology allows methanol to be stored at a much higher concentration, and achieves a fuel tank less than 1/10 the size of that required for storing the same volume of methanol in a 3 to 6% concentration.
Toshiba also implemented other technologies for miniaturization, including interface and electric circuits to assure efficient control of power supply; sensors to monitor methanol concentration and liquid level; and a remaining quantity sensor to tell users when they need to change the methanol fuel cartridge. All these components, and low power liquid and air transmission pumps, are controlled by a DC-DC converter.
For the cell itself, Toshiba developed a new material that allows smaller cells, allowing for miniaturization of the cell stacks. The company has also given the DMFC the same electrodes as found in lithium ion batteries, allowing it to connect directly to a PC or other portable device in the same way as a lithium ion battery would.
According to Toshiba, the current prototype, which will be shown to the public at the upcoming CeBIT fair in Hannover, can operate for approximately five hours on 50cc of high concentration methanol. Toshiba said it will continue development of DFMC technology, with the aim of product commercialization within 2004.
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