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As I write, a small black box on my desk -- a liquid fuel cell -- is charging my iPod Touch. It's a Medis 24-7 Power Pack, a portable charger for small electronics like a mobile phone or an iPod.
Medis Technologies says that one Power Pack, which recently went on sale online and at Best Buy, can give you 30 hours of talk time on an average mobile phone or 60 to 80 hours of play time on an average iPod. That translates to about five or six full charges for an iPhone. A starter kit with adapters costs about $40 (roughly £22) and a replacement pack is about $20.
The Medis 24-7 Power Pack is one of, if not the, first liquid fuel-cell chargers for small devices. You can also expect versions for laptops within two to five years, say adherents.
It puts out one watt. It took about an hour to bring my slightly-more-than-half-charged iPod to full. That seems to match the company's claim that it charges at about the same speed as an AC charger. Unlike a standalone battery, this can't be recharged --you recycle it or, down the road, refill a fuel cartridge.
Medis Technologies says that it's a green product because everything in it can be recycled. It doesn't use any toxic materials like the heavy metals used in batteries, complies with RoHS hazardous waste regulations, and doesn't have harmful emissions during use, according to the company.
The company encourages recycling by including packaging to send the device back to be recycled before buying a refilled pack.
There are a number of companies that are making liquid fuel cells using methanol, but the Medis charger uses a solution of sodium borohydride, a mineral that comes from mines. The spent fuel can be recycled in other products including detergents, cosmetics and fire retardants.
The next generation of its fuel cell, expected to be ready in 18 months, will have a detachable cartridge that can be refilled, which should be more convenient than mailing a product back.
So how do you use today's version? You have to start the chemical reaction to get the juice flowing. To activate it, you remove a plastic strip strapped around the device and then squeeze the top so that it snaps with the bottom.
You then shake it to mix the solution around and the electricity is ready to flow. It comes with adapters for many devices.
Overall, this seems like a good application of fuel cells. And I applaud the company for making -- and taking back through a partner -- a product that it says can be entirely recycled.
An alternative green option for on-the-go power today is a solar charger; SmartPlanet's rounded up the best.
13 September 2008 03:53am
I wonder if it can be carried on airplanes with the current security vs. liquids issues. That would be a major buying consideration at this point.
13 September 2008 03:59am
epic fail - way to expensive - need to be refillable with lighter fluid to make it worthwhile
13 September 2008 06:07am
For a second opinion, see here: http://dansdata.blogsome.com/2008/09/09/news-flash-fuel-cell-even-more-forgettable-than-i-thought/
13 September 2008 10:14am
Er, I might be stupid, but it just seems to be a very expensive non-rechargeable battery? What's the point???
13 September 2008 04:19pm
I have taken two of these power packs through securit;y on six flights across the country and on commuter airlines and it has never been questioned or looked at. There is no problem whatsoever.
13 September 2008 04:36pm
finally a step in the right direction with fuel cells - hopefully it will go forward faster now - it would be great to just reload ur mobile battery or a camera battery on the fly from a tiny bottle in ur backpack, which is where this is going ...
13 September 2008 06:04pm
If you have to activate and shake it, what is the shelf life after you start the process? Can I charge my phone once, then sit this thing on the shelf for 6 months and still get 4 or 5 charges out of it later? If not, then it sounds like a second battery (internal or charges the internal battery) is a better way to go.
13 September 2008 11:36pm
Maybe they've improved it.
I tried it more then 6 months ago and it would only charge my cellphones for a few minutes before cutting the charge (had to unplug it at the fuel cell and plug it back in repeatedly).
I did try several different phones.
What I bought was obviously a very early version, so I hope it has improved...significantly.
15 September 2008 09:24am
Good question. Shelf life is three months once you've activated it. Hope that helps.
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