Water-powered fuel cell by DoCoMo

Japan company NTT Docomo, together with Aquafairy, have developed a fuel cell for mobile phones, powered by water, called Polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). The prototype of the PEFC is expected to be displayed at the Wireless Japan 2006. The unique power generating device consists of hydrogen-producing catalyst, a power unit including an anode, solid electrolyte and a cathode. The PEFC uses the separation of pure hydrogen, generated by the catalyst from injected water, into H+ ions and electrons. The electrons flow from the anode to the cathode through a circuit and thus, produce electricity, while the ions are combined with oxygen and produce water. Then the whole operation is repeated.

According to Docomo, the PEFC prototype, measuring 0.94 x 0.94 x 2.76 inches (24 x 24 x 70 mm), is less than one quarter the size and produces twice the power of the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) (demonstrated last year) charger prototype. The PEFC prototype is said to produce up to 800 mAh at 3.6 V, with one charge taking about two hours.