Fujitsu Triples Charging Capacity of Fuel Cells for Mobile Phones

Fujitsu developed new technology that makes it possible to use high-concentration methanol with concentration of over 99% for a passive micro fuel cell. By developing and employing a new material that reduces the methanol crossover effect by half compared to Fujitsu previous materials and to one-twentieth that of other commercially available materials, and by using the water by-product which appears during power generation to dilute the fuel, Fujitsu succeeded in effectively limiting the decline of power generation efficiency when using high-concentration fuel. Fujitsu and DoCoMo employed the new technology to co-develop an operable FOMA handset charger prototype.

Results

Using the newly developed technology, the cradle-type passive micro fuel cell achieved a world record high-power output average of approximately 1 watt with methanol fuel of over 99% concentration.

Fujitsu also verified that the prototype FOMA handset recharger using the micro fuel cell can charge up to three lithium ion power batteries embedded in a FOMA handset, with a single cartridge with 18 cc of methanol fuel.

In comparison to previous fuel cells from Fujitsu and DoCoMo which use methanol at 30% concentration, the prototype recharger using the new micro fuel cell enables up to three times the power output time with a single 18 cc methanol fuel cartridge.

Future Developments

Through the development of high-performance materials, Fujitsu will continue to develop micro fuel cells that are more compact and operable over longer periods of time.

Prototype Fuel Cell: Main Specifications

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