Using 4ccs of a menathol based solution, personal computing devices could be powered for around 6 to 8 hours.

Hitachi Manufactuing Corporation and Tokai Corporation jointly presented on the 10th that they have developed a fuel cell cartridge for devices such as PDAs and mobile computers.

Using a process that involves generation of power by supplying methanol solution and air directly to an electrode, the direct methanol cartridge is about 1cm in diameter and 5cm high. The cartridge contains 4cc of methanol, which is 20% concentrated. This allows personal computing devices to be powered for 6 to 8 hours.

This time around, since the devices uses a direct methanol fuel cell core, and the electrolyte membrane has been improved upon, it has become possible to use a high concentration of a methanol solution. So, this allows the fuel cell cartridges themselves to be smaller.

After this, Hitachi will further develop the plans for the foundation, and Tokai will handle mass production, as well as further develop methanol cartridges for mobile computing use.

Original Article:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2003/1211/hitachi.htm

News Release:
http://www.hitachi.co.jp/New/cnews/031210a.html