Devices major Apple is reported to be working on laptops
and smartphones powered by hydrogen fuel cells that would last for weeks
without needing to be refuelled.
According to patent filings, in two documents submitted to the US Patent and
Trademark Office, the iPhone maker said its proposal “eliminates the need
for a bulky and heavy battery”.
A hydrogen fuel cell converts hydrogen and oxygen into water and electrical
energy. The technology has long been hyped as a potential power source for
cleaner cars. Electronics manufacturers have also shown growing interest in
replacing batteries that rely on toxic chemicals with hydrogen fuels cells that
would last longer and produce only water as a by-product.
“Our country’s continuing reliance on fossil fuels has forced our
government to maintain complicated political and military relationships with
unstable governments in the Middle East, and has also exposed our coastlines
and our citizens to the associated hazards of offshore drilling,” the
Telegraph quoted
Apple as saying in its patent filings.
Hydrogen fuels cells could be smaller and lighter than batteries, while still
powering mobile computers for longer. Such fuel cells and associated fuels can
potentially achieve high volumetric and gravimetric energy densities, which can
potentially enable continued operation of portable electronic devices for days
or even weeks without refuelling.
The two patents, “Fuel Cell System to Power a Portable Computing
Device” and “Fuel Cell System Coupled to a Portable Computing
Device” are not the first signs that indicate that Apple is working to
replace battery technology.
In October a further pair of patent applications detailed ways of squeezing
more power from lighter hydrogen fuel cells.
By Telecomlead.com Team
editor@telecomlead.com
