DSLRs to Use Methanol Fuel Cells

While camera manufacturers are more focused on making faster autofocusing systems, better sensors and smarter processing units, the guys over at MTI MicroFuel Cells have one thing in mind: getting people to switch to methanol-based fuel cells (or at least some people using a special brand of DSLRs).

MTI MicroFuel Cells, maker of the Mobion micro fuel cell technology and a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology Incorporated, has recently announced that it had signed an agreement with an as-of-yet unknown Japanese developer of digital cameras.

According to the press release: "This agreement will enable MTI Micro and the developer to collaborate in evaluating and adapting MTI Micro´s Mobion technology for use in various precision imaging applications, including digital cameras. The work under this development agreement has commenced and MTI Micro expects to deliver prototypes later this month."

"MTI Micro has now signed agreements with two global OEMs that operate within two of the three largest consumer electronic segments — mobile phones and digital cameras. We are pleased that our Mobion platform may potentially power devices in these two segments", said Peng Lim, Chief Executive Officer of MTI.

Although this last press release does not mention anything about DSLRs, in February 2008 MTI Micro showcased the Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) camera-grip prototype for digital single lens reflex cameras. Based on the company's Mobion technology, the prototype is designed to provide twice as much energy as the existing Li-Ion battery pack grips.

Apart from the obvious advantage of having twice more juice for the increasingly power-hungry DSLRs, the camera grip can be refilled with methanol for instant power as there's no need to recharge it from the wall outlet. This can be a major selling point for photographers doing a lot of work in the field. Unfortunately, there are no references to the effects of low temperatures on the fuel cell's performance.

As a quick reminder, the fuel cell works by converting methanol fuel, a common alcohol, into electric power, the only byproducts being carbon dioxide and water vapor.

The latest announcement from MTI MicroFuel Cells follows the U.S. Department of Transportation's ruling that will allow passengers and crew to carry methanol fuel cell cartridges and fuel cell systems designed for portable electronic devices on board airplanes in carry-on baggage.

There's still a mystery shrouding the camera manufacturer that will benefit from the miraculous and clean methanol fuel cell technology, but one thing is for sure: the only consumer DSLRs in production that have a dial on the right side (from a front-view perspective) are made by Pentax.

Correction: After further examining the DSLR in the image, it appears that Canon's 40D model better fits the "one thing is for sure" concept.


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