Canon develops fuel cell prototypes

Canon has now officially jumped onto the
fuel cell bandwagon by announcing their three new fuel cell prototypes: a large version to power devices like compact printers, a smaller version for digicams
(pictured with fuel cell integrated into the battery holder of a Digital Rebel), and a 1.2 x 1.6-incher for devices like cellphones. Canon's system focuses on providing hydrogen directly via refillable (cha ching!) cartridges as opposed to the more common approach of extracting hydrogen from
methanol. Simmer down now 'cause they're working on a system to pack down the hydrogen using metal hydrides so you don't have to carry a highly volatile cartridge around in your trou. Canon hopes to start replacing the conventional batteries in their products in three years, god love'm.

Update: Big thanks to Dave Etchells for that snap which surfaced during
Imaging Resource's coverage of Canon Expo 2005.