Angstrom Power touts hydrogen fuel cells for cellphones

There's certainly no shortage of companies out there trying to provide unconventional means of keeping your cellphone powered, and it looks like you can now add yet another ever-recurring bit of tech to the list, with Angstrom Power now touting its hydrogen fuel cells for cellphones. While they're obviously still quite a ways from landing in your handset, Angstrom does seem to be a good deal further than the concept stage, with them having already managed to cram some of the cells into a MOTOSLVR L7. That transplant, Angstrom says, gives the phone twice the juice of a standard battery and lets it recharge in just ten minutes. Just don't look for those anytime before 2010, which is when Angstrom "hopes" the first commercial phones equipped with the fuel cells will be available.

[Via Physorg]

[Alex Wachtel @ Feb 21st 2008 3:21PM]

I was the patent Examiner who allowed two of the patents used in this technology! Finally, something I examined is in the news! Woot woot woot!! ;-)

[JerkyChew @ Jan 15th 2008 9:19PM]

Aren't there already fuel cell batteries for the Treo? I see them in my Treocentral.com newsletter all the time.

[Wwhat @ Jan 15th 2008 9:37PM]

Only twice the power eh, I expected more, I guess it's the scale of the thing.

[john @ Jan 15th 2008 9:46PM]

And if I puncture the cell, does it become an instant hand-grenade? :-)

(of course not, but maybe a short-lived torch? :-) )

[iDisappointment @ Jan 15th 2008 10:16PM]

The fuel cell batteries that exist now (in most cases) are based on liquid methanol being converted into a power source. This actually produces CO2 emissions (very low obviously, but some nonetheless). From what the Angstrom product is showing, the product is stored hydrogen which would produce 0 emissions when in use. I would think safety would be a huge concern as it took a while for methanol fuel cells like the Treo batteries to get approval in places like airports, ballparks, etc.

Twice the power and then a full ten minute charge and that doesn't sound good? Man I wish my laptop got 12-14 hours of power and my phone had the same for talk time. This stuff has huge applications in every field and fuel cells are coming. It is good to see some companies are thinking it through and doing it right.

[shardsofaperture @ Jan 15th 2008 11:49PM]

...remember arnold shoved the damaged fuel cell into the tx's mouth? I can't wait

[mark @ Jan 16th 2008 1:44AM]

Approval has already been given at the international level for solid hydrogen battery use/transport on flights. Approval is expected at the national level soon. I'd reference the company & press release but dont want to come off as pumping.

[Sirocco @ Jan 16th 2008 2:25AM]

Now if I can just integrate this into my car, I won't have to buy gas anymore.

[Ken @ Jan 16th 2008 11:39AM]

Um....

Hydrogen feul cells oxidize hydrogen for energy. The end result is energy + H2O. That's great and all, but won't that leave me with wet pockets?

[Wwhat @ Jan 17th 2008 2:27AM]

Aren't they already?

[maryland157 @ Jan 16th 2008 4:58PM]

Great thats all we need are 1,000,000 Hindenburgs!