Such a product has been in development for a couple of years now and, even though it presents a few features that some would be against, it seems that MTI Micro is going to release the Mobion full methanol charger by the end of 2009.

Though people might think at first sight that a fuel-cell-based charger is a pretty dangerous device to carry around with you, it seems that all these worries will simply fade away once we understand its incredible capabilities.

The main idea is that this MTI charger offers an incredible 25W-hours of energy in only one cartridge. In addition, the device comes with removable cartridges, each one offering, in translation, enough energy to recharge a cell phone about 10 times, or enough to take more than 10.000 pictures, or 100 hours of video playback.

Because of the USB interface of the charger, it can connect to all USB equipped gadgets, including digital cameras, media players or any kind of electronic handheld devices. Also, this turns it into an independent power source, actually the best one developed so far. Not only this, but the Mobion charger includes enough energy for a digital camera to take about 6000 professional photos and thanks to its easily-removable cartridges, the switch can be done in the blink of an eye while on the go.

Peng Lim, chairman and chief executive officer of MTI, has stated on the matter, "Our Mobion product strategy is in line with what consumers on-the-go need. On average, in the U.S., mobile professionals carry 3.4 portable electronic devices with them, and are now buying a universal charger to conveniently recharge all their device batteries. However, these conventional chargers still need to plug into an electrical outlet to recharge once the energy is used. Our Mobion charger allows consumers to charge their devices anytime, anywhere by eliminating the need to plug their devices or Mobion charger into a wall outlet and wait for a recharge — our Mobion charger generates electric power on the go and provides true mobility."

The device is claimed to be completely safe, so we should not worry about having on us a fuel-cell-based device, plus that, thanks to its smoothly designed shape and rounded lines, it is very easily carried around.

The Mobion Methanol USB charger is said to be fully developed and in production by the end of 2009 and it will target the handset, electronic device, digital camera markets, but only for USB enables devices.