MTI Micro testing feasibility of fuel cells in digicams

The ever-boastful MTI Micro is back again, just days after showing off a fuel cell-powered GPS prototype in Atlanta. This go 'round, the company is announcing a newfound partnership with an elusive Japanese developer of digicams in order to "evaluate the feasibility, development and production" of Mobion products. The love affair will enable the two to work together in evaluating and adapting the aforesaid technology for use in "various precision imaging applications, including digital cameras." Best of all, work is apparently already ongoing, and MTI Micro is expected to deliver prototypes later this month. Going from prototype form to the store shelf, however, will be the hard part.

[mrpoo @ May 7th 2008 3:45PM]

When a fuel cell-powered anything can work without peeing its pants, then color me impressed. Until then... yawn.

[Charlie Taylor @ May 7th 2008 3:50PM]

Where's that picture from? Even if it's just a mock-up the possibility of a fuel-cell battery grip for my 40D excites me! :D

[Wryly @ May 7th 2008 3:57PM]

'go round or go 'round?

[radia @ May 7th 2008 4:19PM]

This actually seems like a good application for fuel cells - professional DSLR cameras are power hogs, and photographers often require long operation times.

[Paul @ May 7th 2008 4:24PM]

Agreed I would love to have longer battery life for my DSLR... as long as it doesn't blow up in front of my face.

[morcheeba @ May 7th 2008 4:38PM]

Next thing you know, and they'll be developing hand-cranked cameras you never have to replace the fuel on!

[David W. @ May 7th 2008 5:10PM]

My battery lasts days on my SLR...and when batteries are only $30 to carry backups, fuel cell seems like overkill to me *shrugs*

[fuma @ May 7th 2008 5:14PM]

just what I need, a camera that sounds like a miniature cox airplane engine, spits out water, and carries hydrogen gas... mmm fun. Can I have one in my cell phone too so it looks like I wet my pants?

[Sma @ May 7th 2008 6:54PM]

As far as I understand fuel cells dont actually make a sound, unless its burning hydrogen in a combustion engine. The fuel cells I know of combine oxygen and hydrogen through a membrane to produce water, and in doing so electricity is generated.

If you were being sarcastic how ever I retract my comment. :)

[mrpoo @ May 7th 2008 6:58PM]

They are silent, but they produce water as a by-product. Thus the pants wetting concern.

[TVGenius @ May 7th 2008 7:10PM]

I know there was a company making hydrogen fuel cells for broadcast ENG cameras a few years back. Not a bad system, and beat batteries by a long shot when you compared life vs. weight.

[serpentglitch @ May 8th 2008 10:53AM]

The only two things I'm worried about Fuel cells, and I have no idea. Could someone answer them?

A) How big are the fuel cells? As in, will they be like regular batteries, larger, or OMFG HUEG SO HEAVY MY NECK IS SORE FROM USING THE STRAP TO HOLD IT And,

B) What happens if one of these babies caught on fire or something?