Toshiba Integrates Prototypes of World's Smallest Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Unit into Mobile Audio Players
Two DMFC-Powered Audio Players to Feature at CEATEC JAPAN -
TOKYO, Sept. 16 -- Toshiba Corporation, the world leader in fuel-cell technology for handheld electronic devices, today announced that it has developed two prototype direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) units and begun tests to validate their operation with mobile audio players. Each unit integrates the DMFC that Toshiba announced in June 2004, the world's smallest, bringing its practical use a major step closer.
The new fuel cell units have an output power of 100mW and 300mW and have been applied to a flash-memory-based digital audio player and an HDD-based digital audio player, respectively
The 100mW unit, similar in shape and size to a pack of gum at a compact W23mm x L75mm x D10mm, can power the flash-based player for approximately 35 hours on a single 3.5ml charge of highly concentrated methanol, the fuel that drives the electricity producing chemical reaction in the fuel cell. The 300mW unit is W60mm x L75mm x D10mm and delivers enough power to keep an HDD-based audio player running for approximately 60 hours on a single 10ml charge.
Both prototype players include components related to the testing and are W35mm x L110mm x D20mm (flash memory) and W65mm x L125mm x D27mm (HDD) with the fuel cell units. These sizes can be reduced substantially by removing the extra components and applying optimal design for commercial products.
The design of the fuel cell units reflects current moves toward international standardization of micro fuel cells and meets the International Electrotechnical Commission's draft safety standards now under review.
Toshiba's DMFC features a passive fuel supply system that is suited to smaller fuel cells and use with a highly concentrated methanol solution. Fuel cells usually mix methane with water in a concentration of less than 30%, a dilution that supports generating efficiency but which requires a fuel tank that is much too big for portable equipment. Through durability and reliability tests with the new units, Toshiba will accelerate technology enhancements, including development of production technology, to support integration of DMFC into commercial products expected to appear in and after 2007.
The two prototype players and their methanol cartridges will be exhibited at the CEATEC JAPAN 2005 which will be held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba Prefecture, from October 4 to 8, 2005.
Outline of Prototype
Digital Audio Player HDD Audio Player
Application (mobile audio player (mobile audio player
with flash memory) with HDD)
Output Level 100mW 300mW
Fuel Pure methanol (methanol concentration of 99.5%)
Fuel delivery
method Methanol cartridge (common to both players)
Fuel Tank Capacity 3.5ml 10ml
Operating Hours Approx. 35 hours with Approx. 60 hours with
single charge of fuel single charge of fuel
Dimensions of
Fuel Cell Unit W23 x L78 x D10 mm W60 x L75 x D10 mm
Dimensions of
Audio Player W35 x L110 x D20 mm W65 x L125 x D27 mm
* Dimensions include experimental parts, such as
modules for recording and transmitting experimental
data
Weight 78.5g (with full 270g (with full
fuel tank) fuel tank)
CONTACT: Poloi Lin, Corporate Communications of Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc., +1-949-623-3098
