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.

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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.

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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