Fuel cells in laptops edge closer (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Paul Kallender
Toyko

Electronics companies are promoting fuel cells as an environmentally-friendly and convenient alternative to traditional lithium ion batteries.

The technology promises to supplement or replace today's batteries in laptops. Instead of storing power, fuel cells generate electricity by breaking down methanol via an electrochemical process.

The cells can be recharged by topping them up with methanol from a cartridge.

Recently, Toshiba, Hitachi, Fujitsu, Samsung and Sanyo, among others, have shown prototypes that suggest that the technology is just around the corner.
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Toshiba has been working on three key areas before commercialisation; size, noise and weight. Mr Arimura said the company was aiming to have a commercial version out in 2007.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5016984.stm

Interesting technology. Just don't take it on the plane, thanks.