OXFORD, United Kingdom—Current lithium battery technology used to power cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) is reaching its limits, according to researchers. To drive the power-hungry third-generation (3G) handsets and portable devices of the future, engineers are now looking closely at fuel cell technology with the view that its use in these mobile products will be commonplace within five years.
While fuel cell technology has been seen as replacing the internal combustion engine and providing the power to heat homes and offices, scientists now claim the first commercial application of fuel cells will be in handheld devices, with automotive use being at least 10 years away.
Despite having faced technical difficulties, it is believed that fuel cells could now replace batteries as the technology of choice within five years. “Battery technology is unlikely to keep pace with the growing power demands of broadband handsets,” said a Motorola engineer.
Fuel cells produce electricity through the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen across a membrane. A number of techniques have been developed using pure hydrogen and fuels, such as methanol from which hydrogen is stripped.
