Toshiba 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.
According to Toshiba, the 100mW unit is similar in shape and size to a pack of gum at a compact W23mm x
L75mm x D10mm and is able to 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. Toshiba plans to support integration of DMFC into commercial products 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.
Operation Outline
| Output |
100mW |
300mW |
| Application |
Flash memory-based audio player |
HDD-based audio player |
| Fuel |
Pure methanol (methanol concentration of 99.5%) |
| Fuel delivery method |
Methanol cartridge (common to both players) |
| Fuel tank capacity |
3.5 ml |
10 ml |
| Operating hours |
About 35 hours with single charge of fuel |
About 60 hours with single charge of fuel |
| Dimension of fuel cell unit (WxLxD) |
23x78x10mm |
60x75x10mm |
| Dimension of audio player |
35x110x20mm |
65x125x27mm |
| Weight (with full fuel tank) |
78.5g |
270g |