With over 1 billion portable electronic devices being sold world wide annually, freedom from the recharging cable will make some company’s investors rich. The idea of a refuelable or disposable fuel cell that will power cell phones, PDAs, ipods and laptop computers for extended periods of time without recharging is the goal of several companies. The development of tiny fuel cells that are safe, reliable and cost effective is on the horizon. Here is a list of publicly traded companies hard a work to develop the product that is battery of the future for small electronic devices.
- Neah Power Systems: This company has taken the direct methane fuel cell (DMFC) in a different direction by replacing the typical polymer membrane with a porous silicon wafer that is claimed to be generate a higher level of power in a smaller format. Neah Power trades on the OTC symbol: NPWS.
- Medis Technology: Here they have developed what they call Direct Liquid Fuel Cell (DLFC) technology using liquid borohydride. The DLFC is claimed to be passive technology without the internal fluid transfer mechanics required in the methane powered fuel cells. The stock is listed on the NASDAQ: MDTL.
- VIASPACE Inc.: The VIASPACE Energy subsidiary is working on disposable DMFC technology. VIASPACE uses technology licensed from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The stock trades on the OTC bulletin board: VSPC.
- MTI Micro: This subsidiary of Mechanical Technology Inc. (MTI) has their version of DMFC’s called Mobion. With 80 patents that improve the technology, MTI has licensing agreements with Samsung and Duracell to help get their technology into the market. MTI stock is NASDAQ traded: MKTY.
- Power Air Corporation: Power Air has developed a technology called the Zinc-Air Fuel Cell (ZAFC). Obviously, they use zinc vs. methane as fuel for their products. The company was covered by this site here, and are aiming to have products commercially available by next fall. Stock is OTC BB: PWAC.
So pick your technology: DMFC, DLFC or ZAFC. One or several of these companies have the possibility to radically change how we power our small electronics. And with billions of these devices throughout the planet, that could be a very profitable change.
Picture: MTI Micro Mobion
