14 DAY TRIAL // Toshiba has recently taken the media player concept to the next level. The giant company has demonstrated their latest Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) technology at CEATEC 2007. During the same annual event, Toshiba has come up with its brand new prototype version of the methanol powered Gigabeat multimedia player. That's right, it's entirely methanol powered.
Toshiba's new Gigabeat can operate for up to 10 hours on 10ml of methanol, which means longer than would be possible using a similarly sized conventional battery. That's good news. Moreover, according to Gizmag the media player prototype "integrates the fuel cell power plant into the back of the player and discharges the vapor created through natural evaporation."
As for its capabilities, this modified Gigabeat does pretty much the same as other models. But, besides playing music and video, the player is equipped with a great TV-tuner, to make sure they're selling the whole entertainment package. There is even a capacity meter for tracking the amount of fuel you've got left, a sort of battery status.
The same Gizmag says that DMFCs produce electricity by "adding fuel in the form of methanol to the anode or fuel side; this fuel is then separated into protons and electrons, along with carbon dioxide. The electrons are guided out of the fuel cell, forming an electric current, which is used to power the mobile device. The protons and electrons react with the air at the cathode to form water, which is expelled from the system and the system repeats."
Needless to say this could practically change some principles in the electronic industry. All that the system needs is to top the fuel cells up with methanol, easily possible by pouring in fuel, or by swapping a cartridge. The best part for the users, the integrated fuel cell can even be topped-up even without turning off the player.
Toshiba is working on DMFCs for some years now, and the only problems are with the rather high cost of manufacture of fuel cell components. And of course, the there is also the issue of methanol prohibition on air transportation.
Even if it's not going to happen in the near future, the good news is that Toshiba is working on a wider range of devices powered by DMFC, not only media players. There are rumors they might actually launch some of them within one to two years. For further info check Gizmag and Toshiba!
Which makes me wonder...where are the oompa loompas hiding, after all?