Ethanol Powered Fuel Cell for GPS - MTI Micro

At the 10th Annual International Small Fuel Cells Conference in Atlanta, MTI
Micro will exhibit a new embedded fuel cell prototype for handheld GPS
(Global Positioning System). MTI Micro will bear the Mobion powered GPS
prototype together with its full range of prototypes for use in handheld
devices. This new embedded micro fuel cell prototype design for GPS devices
will be the second prototype unveiled by the MTI Micro in two months. Back in
February, a Mobion powered camera-grip attachment for digital SLR cameras,
designed to support twice as much energy as previous battery pack camera-grips
of the same size was released by MTI Micro.

Mobion Chip

MTI Micro’s new Mobion powered GPS gives three times of energies of four
disposable AA batteries. This fuel cell is able to give up to 60 hours
of continuous power for large model, full-color GPS. Peng Lim,  MTI Micro,
said:

…Battery life is a key issue
with handheld GPS devices, especially as manufacturers add advanced
energy-hungry features to new models, such as larger full color screens. Our Mobion
powered GPS prototype will provide handheld GPS users such as hikers and
campers, travelers, boaters, pilots and other sports enthusiasts the peace of
mind of much longer usage time and will help them do away with the expense,
bulk and environmental unfriendliness of conventional batteries…

With USB interface on it, the new Mobion powered GPS prototype can also be
used as an independent energy source for a variety of purposes, including
recharging the digital cameras, mobile phones, portable media players, and other
electronic devices. The Mobion powered GPS prototype itself can be recharged by
refilling it with methanol.

MTI Micro is looking forward to commercialize its Mobion direct methanol fuel
cell technology to bring the advantages of its longer time and instantaneous
recharging capabilities to users, while  also giving a handheld device
manufactures with a new power supply platform. The company is looking forward to
commercialize its Mobion direct methanol fuel cell technology to bring the
advantages of its longer time and instantaneous recharging capabilities to
users, while also giving a handheld device manufactures with a new power supply
platform.

MTI Micro will showcase its Mobion external power charger prototypes, Mobion
attached power source camera-grip prototype and its embedded Mobion powered GPS
prototype and smartphone concept model. All at 10th Annual International Small
Fuel Cells Conference.

—

About Mobion technology

Source: http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/technology/breakthrough.asp

MTI Micro’s Mobion^(R) technology is based on work contained in
more than 85 patents (either granted or in application) that have collectively
"cracked the code" on bringing DMFC power to hand held electronics.

The company has made a number of truly breakthrough discoveries which we
believe will lead to a reliable, manufacturable and affordable DMFC power pack
design that has significant benefits over the status quo lithium-ion battery
packs and competing micro fuel cell designs.

These breakthroughs and patents have allowed the Company to make
substantial progress optimizing its Mobion^(R) technology. Most
recently with the introduction of the Mobion^(R) Chip platform,
which has resulted in a number of critical advantages, making it a milestone
in portable fuel cell technology.

MTI Micro’s proprietary Mobion^(R) chip architecture
significantly reduces the complexity of a fuel cell system’s internal
construction thereby reducing manufacturing costs, increasing performance, and
enabling further system miniaturization. These factors are critical for the
successful launch of fuel cell products in the consumer market

The state-of-the-art Mobion^(R) chip platform integrates a power
module with fluid conditioning that allows the system to run in a wide
environmental range including temperatures from 0C to 40C at any humidity
level - an industry standard and a requirement of many OEMs who want to
integrate fuel cells into their products.

In preparing Mobion^(R) for commercialization, this injection
molded chip is being designed for high volume mass manufacturing. In addition,
MTI Micro’s team has continued integrating more functionality into its chips
while reducing its part count, ultimately achieving one molded piece - the
Mobion^(R) chip. The Mobion^(R) chip is 9ccs in size,
small enough to fit in the palm of a hand.

The chips are based on 100% methanol feed, passive, direct methanol fuel
cell (DMFC) technology, and represent a number of scientific breakthroughs
that the Company believes will ultimately enable it to power portable devices
longer than lithium-ion batteries, while allowing for instant, cord-free
re-charging.

The Mobion^(R) chip can be used in orientation independent
systems and in laboratory testing, it has demonstrated power of over 50 mW/cm²
while producing 1.4 Wh/cc of energy from the fuel. Based upon recently
reviewed data published by competitors, Mobion^(R) chips can produce
two to three times more power.

—

Advantages of Mobion technology

Source: http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/technology/advantage.asp

Mobion(R) technology eliminates the need for cumbersome water management
"micro-plumbing" around the micro fuel cell, which results in several key and
distinct advantages for OEM system designers and end consumers:

• Powerful - Two keys to producing an advanced DMFC power pack are:
  1. maximize the amount of fuel within the power pack, and
  2. minimize the amount of dilution of the fuel stored within the tank.

  With Mobion(R) technology, both of these parameters are uniquely
  addressed and optimized:

  1. more room is available within the pack for the fuel (due to the
     elimination of the "micro plumbing), and
  2. the system can accept 100% "neat" methanol (due to Mobion(R) water
     reallocation internal to the fuel cell).

   

• Manufacturable - By eliminating the "micro plumbing", Mobion(R)
  technology is easier to manufacture as well as more compact, making Mobion(R)-based
  DMFCs small and light enough for hand held devices.

   

• Affordable - Mobion(R) technology uses existing, proven and highly
  available materials, without the need for expensive "micro-plumbing"
  components. Add to that the abundance of methanol (made from natural gas)
  and Mobion(R) technology is cost effective for OEMs and consumers alike.

More info: MTI
Micro Fuel Cells