Small electronic devices have become drastically more powerful in reaction to our demanding high-tech culture. Modern cell phones like the iPhone and Blackberry line are now potent computers within a frame smaller than a wallet. In fact, this article could be read through on a WiFi connection with one of these devices.
The gain made in processing abilities are now stressing the current batteries used in cell phone devices. Some experts even believe that current lithium-ion batteries may not cope with the future handheld electronics. Forget about the future, right now many of us realize the limits to our cell phone batteries. Tasks other than talking drains the device's full charge far too quickly. One possible solution is to employ power technology which is currently seen for the future of automobiles. Hydrogen fuel cells has for years been considered a real possibility for powering small electronics.
Cutting edge fuel cell technology provider Angstrom Power Incorporated has recently completed a six-month study using a miniature fuel cell integrated to a Motorola Motoslvr L7 cell phone. The modified phone, featuring the company's patented Micro Hydrogen platform, demonstrated an ability to last twice as long than the original equipment lithium-ion battery. According to specs on the conventional MOTOSLVR L7, this increase would amount for 800 continuous talk minutes total. Proving to have a power advantage, the experiment showed remarkable integration into modern cell phone design. The thin film used for the fuel cell unit construction presents no changes to the original dimensions of phone.
It may be some time before these long-lasting fuel cells bring power to your next cell phone. While there has been success in creating the working design, lingering PR problems with hydrogen could prove troublesome. Instead of plugging into a charger, the device needs to be refueled with hydrogen. The process is quick but could frighten some users. Hardware would need to be designed to assure trouble-free hydrogen fueling for cell phone devices.
Another potential problem is short-term costs. Like for most new electronic products, initial pricing expectations are likely to be high. Still in the development stages, actual price difference between Micro Hydrogen platforms and lithium-ion batteries is unavailable. However, Angstrom Power claims once large-scale production is underway, fuel cell-driven mobile phones will cost as little as lithium-ion batteries.
Motorola appears ready to embrace the concept of Angstrom Power, preparing coinciding research to miniature fuel cell technology. From whatever source, Motorola looks forward to drastically improving on their innovation developed 25 years ago. Being the first cell phone to the US market, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X could only operate for less than 60 minutes following a 10 hour charging time.
Sources: Angstrom
Christopher Nagy
Guest Blogger
InventorSpot.com
Our Guest Blogger, Christopher Nagy, is a well-educated mechanical engineering technology graduate with keen knowledge of advancing power technologies and solutions for the modern world.
