MTI Micro showcases fuel cell-powered GPS prototype

MTI Micro is edging dangerously close to vaporware status, but until 2009 comes and goes, we suspect we still owe it the benefit of the doubt. The ever-boastful company is at it once again, this time showing off a purported fuel cell powered-GPS prototype at the International Small Fuel Cells Conference in Atlanta. The Mobion-powered device promises to provide "three times as much energy as GPS devices powered by four disposable AA batteries," meaning that users could see up to 60-hours of continuous use on a large, full-color screen navigator. You'll also find an integrated USB port for using it as an energy source, so you could theoretically utilize your NAV to charge your handset / PMP / ray gun. At this point, however, we wouldn't get too excited here -- it's not like there's any guarantee that we'll ever see this thing in commercial form.

[Via I4U News, image courtesy of John S.]

[TheMacGeek @ May 2nd 2008 11:55AM]

Finally! A device to charge my ray gun!
But seriously, this looks like promising technology. I am excited to see where it goes.

[Ysleiro @ May 2nd 2008 12:52PM]

How the heck does this micro fuel cell tech work?

Can anybody explain it in a nutshell?

I hope its not like bio fuels. Otherwise its just another hell on earth.

[taylor g @ May 2nd 2008 1:23PM]

well thay take small amounts of H2O and split it into hydrogen and oxygen(in effect charging it).....
then over the next 60 hours they combine it back together and get the energy back.......
probably to charge an internal battery for voltage stabilization and whatnot......


this has tons more info to start with
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell

[mrpoo @ May 2nd 2008 1:35PM]

There are a few different fuel cell types. MTI uses a direct methanol fuel cell that converts methanol (not water) into electrical energy. The main byproducts are water and CO2. It's a bit like a battery in terms of chemistry, but different. Note that a big distinction is that fuel cells require a fuel (such as methanol) when it is depleted, rather than electrical recharging like a Li-ion battery.

I'm attending the conference right now, lots of interesting stuff with the likes of Sony, Samsung and Motorola talking about their work in the area. Sony's talk was probably the most interesting of the bunch, very cool stuff.

It's interesting to see MTI compare energy with their fuel cell against a GPS powered by 4 AA batteries. Does anybody make a GPS powered with AA batteries? Sounds like an iffy comparison, I want to see it stand up against a rechargeable Li-ion like my GPS (and every other one?) has.

[Ysleiro @ May 2nd 2008 1:48PM]

Thanx guys. I'm so much smarter now. :o)

[theidoctor.org @ May 2nd 2008 12:56PM]

shouldnt these people work on nanotechnology? i'm waiting for my supercomputer the size of the eraser on my pencil!

[phanbouy @ May 2nd 2008 1:17PM]

that's immoral

[rodney.brown @ May 2nd 2008 1:29PM]

@Ysleiro

While I can't say for sure about MTI, most of these micro-fuel cells in development use butane as the liquid hydrocarbon from which it firsts separates the hydrogen and oxygen to then bring back together to generate water and electricity. Butane means you can recharge them just like an old-fashioned lighter.

[Ysleiro @ May 2nd 2008 1:49PM]

My friend, you have boosted my IQ.

[cam @ May 2nd 2008 3:40PM]

Im looking forward to more exploding batteries.
Maybe this time they will cause some real damage >:D

[TIMMAH! @ May 2nd 2008 3:50PM]

Why did they decide to showcase this technology on a GPS? Was there some huge clamor to have more autonomous battery power on a GPS? I usually use mine plugged into my car...

[Casper42 @ May 2nd 2008 4:34PM]

I wish sometimes they would just work on the simple things. They mentioned a USB Power source for your phone or whatnot.

Why not start with something simple like a little external battery based on Fuel Cell tech that is simply a charger for all those battery driven devices we already own.

Simple Design, easy to implement, and lets people get used to the idea of the concept without having to buy a special GPS, Phone, PMP, etc etc.


PS: 4 x AA = 4 x 1.5v = 6v. USB power is 5v. So when they compared this to 4 AAs, they were probably looking at 4 AAs as a 6v standard, though I agree the Lithium Ion comparison would be a far better one. We're not talking about voltage, but more AmpHours instead (how long will it last)

[mrpoo @ May 2nd 2008 7:01PM]

Most use methanol, a few use compressed hydrogen, others use metal hydrates and one clever guy uses propane.

[John Sonewald @ May 2nd 2008 8:41PM]

They had several demos set up, several with external fuel cells that powered devices through USB ports or external power inputs. The external cells are about the size of a notebook power supply brick.

They did have two devices with built in fuel cells. One was a DSLR, with a conventional external grip/battery supply that had been modified to hold a fuel cell. The other was a smartphone similar to a Blackjack, that had a custom made fuel cell snapped on inplace of the standard battery and back. It added a little thickness to the phone, but was otherwise pretty usable. The big selling point according to them was power capacity. From what I heard, they were pretty clear that these were promising, but not ready for the mass market yet.

[sotec_productions @ May 2nd 2008 10:04PM]

Kind of like political policy. Promising, but not ready for the mass market yet.