Portable electronic devices in the market are going to begin to "starve" for energy in the near future, if they keep on increasing their energy demand with new and added functions. Clearly large electronics manufacturers are not going to let this happen, as it would cost them a fortune. New battery technology like the polymer-lithium battery(iPhone-4) is the limiting result that should satisfy the market for several more years. Year 2010 now sees the planned release of an affordable PEM fuel cell charger from Horizon HORIZON FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES  of Singapore, and their home hydrogen generator. Market penetration is anticipated to take several years as like any new technology. The MinPak will come down in price over the next few years, complementing the availability of the hydrogen fuel via refill options. Refilling of the HydroStiks can be done by a filling tree from bottled hydrogen, or by the HydroFill. Another option is the new hydrogen supply chemical that Horizon has recently developed this year 2010-Nov.We should see the MiniPak commercially available before year 2012 ends. Another fuel cell developer for the portable power market is Lilliputian. Their micro fuel cell is a small solid oxide fuel cell operating on butane as the fuel. A major backer is now Intel and the small system will retail for around $99 and use disposable butane cartridges. A third manufacturer can be envisaged using methanol or alcohol based fuel cells. By year 2012-14 several of these fuel cells chargers will be taking on the battery market. The Fuel Cell Institute of Australia Pty Limited via Stephen Zorbas, has worked with Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies since year 2005.

Its been quite a wait, yet it is a large step forward to take on the battery market/s. Several other small fuel cell makers may in fact come to market within several years like Panasonic and AquaFairy. One thing is for sure is that all concerned will now be fine tuning their respective products , fuel supply and price strategies. The commercial availability of these products also means significant technological innovation in other areas as a consequence. If we look at HORIZON FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES by example, Horizon may not use lets say its current small metal hydride cylinders as a supply for its MiniPak, it will probably develop the new material it developed in late 2010 to refuel cheaply the MinPak when needed. However  the HydroFill electrolyser and HydroStik storage cylinder are both still very valuable pieces of technology. Firstly the HydroFill technology is generating hydrogen at ~400psi, and at that pressure one can fill cheap but large tank vessels. Larger versions of this affordable electrolysis technology can produce even more at perhaps higher pressures, all pointing towards more durable hydrogen production and storage. Hydrogen stored can be returned to burn for cooking or returned and purified for a Pem fuel cell for electricity generation. Now if the metal hydride cylinders (HydroStiks) are expanded in size for a larger fuel cell system, we could have a more powerful and affordable electrolyser filling a much larger HydroStik. These bigger systems would be significant for educational purposes with college and unis in mind. Practical hydrogen storage depends on how much pressure the affordable electrolyser can produce the hydrogen at. There are several manufacturers of higher pressure electrolysers out there these days, so within say five(5) years I am sure an affordable electrolyser will be available.

Micro-fuel cells for portable electronic devices:

Below is a year 2006 representation of what was on the horizon. Not all fuel cell developers have made it to year 2010 with products.

Those interested in participating in this program please contact - EMAIL fcia@fuelcells.org.au

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