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MTI Micro shows off universal fuel cell charger with removable cartridge
As you may or may not have noticed, the folks at MTI Micro seem to be plenty convinced that fuel cells will eventually power all manner of devices, and they're now taking things one step further with their new Mobion universal fuel cell charger that, yes, promises to provide power to any device in the entire universe (with a USB port). To add a bit more practicality to the equation, the charger makes use of removable (and disposable) cartridges, which each provide 25 watt-hours of power, or roughly enough to fully charge the average cellphone more than ten times. While it's only in prototype form at the moment, the company says that the final product should be available by the end of 2009, although it's not making any promises about a price just yet.[Via Planetary Gear]
MTI Micro, NeoSolar to tinker with fuel cell-powered UMPCs
We'll be mighty pleased when MTI Micro gets off its high horse and actually delivers something to the consumer electronics realm, but for now, we're being forced to inhale even more fluff as we wait for an end product. The latest outfit to dive into a partnership with MTI is NeoSolar, as the two gleefully set off to develop Mobion fuel cell technology for use in future NeoSolar devices (namely UMPCs). As we've heard so many times over now, these two will be working together to "develop, test, and evaluate" prototypes, but we'll be lucky to see a fuel cell-powered WiBrain before 2020. Prove us wrong, pretty please.[Via CNET]
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.
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.]
MTI Micro trumpets fuel cells for mobile devices... again
If you'll recall, we first got wind of MTI Micro's fuel cell endeavors way back in 2004, but nearly four years later the firm is still at it and hoping to have something rolled out by 2009. Reportedly, the company has conjured up a few working prototypes which utilize methanol and are built to power small gizmos such as cellphones, handhelds and even DSLRs. Recharging the cells would be as simple as "squirting in some new fuel or putting in a new cartridge," and MTI has even created a way to recycle the water within the unit. Still, it's not handing out any specifics about what products it plans on churning out first, but given that we've been waiting on these things for quite some time already, it's not like we can't twiddle our thumbs for another dozen months or so.[Via ElectronicsWeekly]
