Notebook computer fuel cell-powered

FUEL CELL-POWERED CAMCORDER, NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS, AND MOBILE PHONES... 

The Fraunhofer Initiative (Germany) was created in 2000 by five institutes to develop innovative energy systems based on portable, miniature fuel cells. Partners include the Fraunhofer Institute, where several prototypes have been developed and demonstrated, including fuel cell powered notebook computers at the... 

One of several recently presented prototypes of a notebook personal computer powered by a micro-DMFC is shown in Fig. 4.14. A replaceable methanol cartridge is placed behind the computer, and the 280-cm DMFC is placed under the laptop keyboard. The fuel cell produces 14 W at 12 V, and if the methanol volume is 30 cm (judged from photo), then the storage capacity is 142 Wh. This would allow the computer to be operated for 14 h at an average consumption of 10 W. Many computer manufacturers, notably in Japan, have recently demonstrated similar DMFC notebook prototypes, including some with a more elegantly integrated methanol container than the one on the early model shown in Fig. 4.14. 

Delta Airlines is using a hydrogen fueled tow tractor at the Orlando Airport. General Motors has delivered its first fuel cell truck to the U.S. Army. The U.S. Navy plans to use fuel cells for ship-board power with hydrogen sourced from diesel fuel. New fuel cell technology from SANYO may power IBM Thinkpad notebook computers for 8 hours. 

While consumer applications such as cell phones, notebook computers, camcorders, and cordless tools will be the obvious mass market application for direct methanol fuel cells at a power level up to 100 W, there should be an earlier market for PEM fuel cells in a niche sub-1 kW market. The t)rpe of device that fits this class includes weather stations, signal units, APUs, gas sensors, and security cameras. Companies involved in this area include Plug Power www.plugpower.com and Ballard Power Systems www.ballard.com." ... 

In particular, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell t q3e has received attention in applications such as vehicle-mounted use, mobile use, and stationary use in homes (149). In a vehicle-mounted fuel cell system serving as a driving source for an automobile, pure hydrogen stored in a hydrogen tank is supplied to an anode. Further, in a power source system for mobile devices such as notebook personal computers and cellular phones, alcohol-based liquid fuel such as methanol is supplied to an anode. 

Casio (Japan) has developed a prototype methanol reformate PEM fuel cell to power notebook computers and PDAs. It could power a Casio notebook computer (the Cassiopeia FIVA) for more than twenty hours, four times longer than a lithium ion battery. Casio s fuel cell uses a proprietary methanol reformer, which... 

Korea) is the R D centre for the Samsung group. It has been active in the development of fuel cells to power electronic devices for some time, having developed a notebook computer powered by a 40 W PEM fuel cell in 1999. It is active in the development of membranes and MEAs for direct methanol fuel cells, as well as complete systems. In May 2002 it revealed that it had developed a mobile phone with a built in direct methanol fuel cell which is roughly the size of a credit card (6x8x1 cm). Fuelled by methanol stored in a container like an ink cartridge, the unit has an output of 2 W (SAITT, 2004). 

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