Methanol Power? - IBM and Sanyo Double-Team theDMFC

Posted by Matthew Brodsky

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Eight hours of battery life for future Thinkpads? Yes if you believe in IBM and Sanyo's vision for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) powered laptops.

SanyoElectric Co. Ltd. and IBM Japan unveiled a prototype micro directmethanol fuel cell (DMFC) system, attempting to overcome thedeficiencies of fuel cells by combining a DMFC with a lithium-ionbattery. The experimental model holds 130 cc of pure methanol, whichcombined with the lithium-ion battery, cranks out up to 72 watts(16 V DC) for as many as eight hours.

Fuelcells are typically heralded for their performance, but theytend to be missing storage capabilities. The IBM-Sony DMFCprototype represents an attempt to marry the performance of afuel cell with the storage of a lithium-ion battery.

The end result may not be just a replacement for today's batterypacks. The manufacturers hope to make the notebook AC adapter arelic of the twentieth century by completely removing the needfor laptop power cords. They estimate the launch date for thisrevolution to be 2007.

In the meantime, they have some obstacles to overcome. Everydayuse of direct methanolfuel cells is not yet practical because of international rulesand regulations, such as those that limit the transport ofmethanol on airplanes.

From a design standpoint, the prototype is relatively clunky aswell. It's a 4.8 pound (2.2 kg) docking bay that measures nearly1 foot long on either side and 2 inches high (270 mm x 282 mm x16 to 54 mm).

Sanyo intends to eventually recommend its DMFC as a standardpower system for other laptop makers. IBM, and then theChina-based Lenovo Group Ltd., plans to use the hybrid fuelcells in future ThinkPad notebooks.

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