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An intensely granular, gripping look inside Toshiba's Dynario fuel-cell
We won't pretend that we weren't excited when Toshiba finally launched its long talked about Dynario fuel-cell -- the first of its kind for consumer electronics. If you don't know already, the direct methanol fuel-cell (DMFC) boasts its own fuel cartridge (which takes approximately 20 seconds to fill) with a concentrated methanol solution, resulting in its ability to charge USB devices on the go. Well, Tech-On's gotten a hold of one of these bad boys, and they've taken plenty of photos of its innards, allowing us a unique opportunity to see what its all about. A few interesting observations they make: the cell itself -- which sells for ¥29,800 (about $328) -- is definitely worth the money. Tech-On claims that the manufacturing and components alone are estimated at costing around ¥30,000. There's a lot more to see, so hit the source link -- and there's also one more interesting shot after the break.
Toshiba's DMFC fuel cell seen 'powering phones' at CEATEC (video)
Toshiba has been promising the world a healthy dose of fuel cell chargers for what feels like ages now, with its most recent swearing happening just two months ago. Here at CEATEC, the company's wares were being trumpeted by KDDI. We witnessed a standard handset have its stock battery removed and replaced with an admittedly bulky fuel cell container. The booth attendant proudly juiced up the cell, clipped it onto the phone's rear and mashed the power button. Within seconds, the device booted up normally, and a handy level indicator on the charger itself kept us in the know on how much life was left. Or -- you know -- maybe the whole thing was just an elaborate hoax to fool English-speaking media into thinking this stuff was really nearing its commercial release. Have a look at a brief video just beyond the break, but try not to get your hopes up too high. No need in having your heart broken again unnecessarily. %Gallery-74777%
Toshiba plans to launch fuel cell chargers in next two months, may be lying
We'd love to believe you, Toshiba. Really, it would give us nothing but pleasure to sit expectantly for the next 60 days while you deliver wonderful, life-changing fuel cell technology to our front door. Unfortunately, we've been burned one too many times by your shattered promises, and we've developed a bit of a complex, to tell the truth. If you were being straight with us this time we suppose we'd be looking forward to a DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) device capable of topping off small rechargeable devices like phones and PMPs, with extra juice just a cartridge replacement away. After that we could anticipate with bated breath your long awaited entry into directly DMFC-powered devices, claiming your rightful place as power generator for our phones and laptops. You tease.
Samsung's latest fuel cell prototype proves again that soldiers get the coolest toys
Back in 2006, a bright-eyed Samsung pledged a simple, methanol-powered dock that could power a laptop for a whole month, promised availability by the end of 2007, and then ran off to look for unicorns. Three years on an older, wiser Samsung is making some rather more modest statements about its latest generation of DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cell), now set for release in 2010 -- only for the military. But, trendy requisition officers will have their choice of three colors: black, gold, or black. This 3.5 kilogram device is said to provide 1,800 watt-hours without a recharge, enough to power all a soldier's mil-spec gadgetry for three days. That's a far cry from the 30 days promised a few years back, but far better than the 10 kilograms of batteries you'd need otherwise. Want to get your hands on one of these? Start by heading to your local recruiter's office -- and don't mind the giant human microwave.
Toshiba misses another consumer fuel-cell launch date as expected
It's the end of March and you know what that means? No Toshiba fuel cell battery charger for you, that's what. Toshiba's launch of the first direct methanol fuel cell-based (DMFC) charger for your miscellaneous gadgets has been delayed "a few months" due to problems in acquiring unspecified components. Why do we care? Easy, DMFCs produce electricity via chemical reaction between methanol, water, and air. When the power runs out you just top-off the methanol or drop in a new cartridge and you're good to go. Also, this DMFC charger is just the first step towards DMFC batteries for cellphones and laptops that Toshiba says are still on track to launch before the end of March 2010. Not that we'd be surprised by further delay -- we've been hanging on to the promise of fuel-cell battery launches for years now... what's another slip.
Toshiba plans to release fuel cell-based battery charger by end of March
Toshiba's finally ready to enter the fuel cell market, or at least it's saying as much. The company announced this week that it'll release a direct methanol fuel cell-based (DMFC) battery charger this fiscal quarter, before the end of March. Toshiba also said it'll launch DMFC packs for cellphones and laptops in the following fiscal year that begins in April. Details are pretty scant at the moment, and given the technology's past track record, we wouldn't be surprised if it missed the upcoming deadline. Here's hoping our skepticism is unfounded.
Toshiba's DMFC "internet viewer" prototypes are truly next-gen
It's not every day you walk past something quite as striking as Toshiba's new DMFC internet viewer prototypes. Sure, folks like Toshiba and Samsung have been chatting up DMFC (Direct Methanol Fuel Cell) power technology for ages, but to see it live and in person -- and powering a truly unique form factor -- is quite a treat. Word is these things can last for a week of typical use on one methanol refill, and are running regular old Windows XP. Unfortunately, there's no word on what processing and storage is under the hood or when these will hit the market, or for how much. Basically, Windows 7 is much more likely the OS we'll be seeing on them by the time they're ready to go -- if that ever happens at all, DMFC doesn't have the best track record of actually breaking through the productization stage. Video is after the break, and the gallery includes a couple other Toshiba prototypes.%Gallery-41724%
Engadget's new double-wide HQ rolls in to Vegas
Oh hells yes. We've arrived at CES in full nerd style. We sent Moms to Atlantic City so us kids could hijack the trailer all the way to Vegas baby, Las Vegas. And in true Kojak style we parked right in front of the central hall just outside the Las Vegas Convention Center. What better base to provide the best CES 2009 coverage on the Net? Check our first pass on the show floor after the break. With roots now planted and enough gadgets to keep us busy 7 by 24... we may never go home.
Toshiba powers cell phone with methanol fuel cell -- no, you can't have one
Toshiba continues to tease us with its prototype liquid fuel cell-powered gadgets: last year it was a Gigabeat media player, and at this year's CEATEC you can check out a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) that's been crammed inside a cell phone, lending it a robust six hours of talk time (compared to the paltry three or four hours of a traditional battery). Toshiba won't reveal the capacity of the DMFC, but they have said that a 50ml cartridge is good for about 15 refills. No release date yet, but the phone "might" be available "as early as next year." In the meantime, enjoy this picture of a woman holding a flip phone with "DMFC" clearly visible on the display.
Sharp reveals world's most densely powerful methanol fuel cell -- still can't buy it
We've been huffing the vaporous promise of methanol fuel cells for so long now that we sold all our furniture and live in a cardboard box. Nevertheless, Sharp's in a tizzy over its direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) prototype. Sharp's cell is able to provide 0.3 Watts of power per cubic centimeter making it the world's most powerful DMFC cell for its size. Availability? Sharp has no idea but "it won't be commercialized soon," according to a spokesperson. Kudos for honesty, but that gnawing angst for a refillable battery replacement for traditional lithium-ion batteries continues to taunt us.P.S. Sharp didn't offer any photos with the press release so we tossed in an old Toshiba concept just to annoy them.[Via PCWorld]
Samsung's one-month Fuel Cell piggy given a real purty mouth
No word on a production run, but we thought you'd like to peep the latest iteration of DMFC (direct-methanol fuel cell) technology coming out of Samsung. If nothing else, they've at least cleaned up the design of that dock we last peeped back in December. A good sign that they're still intent on releasing this one-month, refillable battery by the end of 2007.
Just add water: NTT DoCoMo to demo new fuel cell charger
Countrywide 3G coverage: check. Plethora of gorgeous 3G phones in all shapes, sizes, and platforms: check. 4G development well underway: check. Dismal standby times: check. With battery tech having largely stagnated over the last few years, Japan's NTT DoCoMo has turned their attention to powering all that buttery, broadband goodness via more creative means, showing their direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) recharger last year. The DMFC wasn't a bad first effort, but how about shrinking it by a factor of four, doubling the output, and swapping methanol for water? That's what they've managed to do through a partnership with Aquafairy Co., pumping out a prototype polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) that rocks 800mAh at 3.6V -- enough juice to recharge your average FOMA handset in the same time as a wall wart. The new unit gets shown off this week at Wireless Japan 2006 with production plans slated for next year; availability outside Japan is (as usual) an open question, but with battery life falling to under a day on some modern smartphones, we can only hope manufacturers' hands are going to be forced on this one.[Via The Raw Feed]
