Nokia Corp. discounted reports that it had dropped plans to make fuel-cell batteries for its mobile phones. A spokesman for the company said Nokia has never discussed a firm release date for fuel cells in mobile phones, and that the company continues to research the technology.
“It is interesting, and we are closely following it-as we do with many technologies-but we haven’t had, nor currently have, any plans for commercialization,” said Nokia spokesman Keith Nowak.
Nokia last year showed off a prototype headset powered by a small amount of methanol, according to reports. The company at the time said the technology was reasonably mature, and it could be commercialized within the next two years.
Fuel cells rely on recharging through methanol, which is prohibited aboard aircraft due to its flammability.
Nonetheless, industry has long speculated about the potential for fuel cells in mobile phones. Indeed, NEC Corp., Toshiba, SFC Smart Fuel Cells AG, Medis Technologies, Neah Power Systems and MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc., a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology Inc., have been researching the use of micro fuel cells. Indeed, MTI last year released its Mobion micro fuel cell for mobile phones, which the company said offers between two and five times the charge of standard lithium-ion phone batteries. The company said that could be improved to provide up to 10 times the charge of standard mobile-phone batteries.
