Notebooks powered by fuel cells on the way

A new way to power notebook computers is on the way, according to electronics firms.

Several companies in the Far East are working on computers powered by fuel cells rather than batteries. Rather than storing electrical energy like a battery, fuel cells generate it by a chemical process.

The cells are recharged by adding more fuel – usually methanol, a type of alcohol – to the cells using a special cartridge.

According to the BBC, Toshiba is hoping to start selling commercial fuel cells for notebooks next year. The company has been working on such alternative power methods for around four years but, until now, units have been very bulky.

The cells could be used to completely power computers or to supplement existing battery power in notebooks. According to Dr Hitomi Murakami, of Japanese phone company and fuel cell maker KDDI, cells will be available in mass quantities by 2008.

Dr Murakami told a conference in London that 80 per cent of Japanese users of mobile phones and notebooks have "run into difficulties" because of power problems.

Until now, one stumbling block has been approval from regulators, with airlines a particular problem as methanol is not permitted in aircraft cabins.

However, the International Air Transportation Association has granted approval for methanol-based fuel cells to be allowed onto aircraft as carry-on baggage from the start of 2007.

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