March 4, 2005
Nokia Drops Plans to Develop Fuel Cells - for now
Nokia Corp. has dropped plans to develop mobile phones with fuel cells for at least the next few years, a spokesman for the Finnish company said Thursday, reports The New York Times.
"In a cell phone, a fuel cell would remove the need for a rechargeable battery, instead allowing a user to recharge it the same way a cigarette lighter is refilled when it runs out of butane.
A fuel cell would also allow longer talk and standby times and increased stamina for power-hungry applications such as television.
In June 2004, Tero Ojanpera, head of Nokia's research center, showed off a headset that was powered by a small amount of methanol. The fuel cell combined the methanol with air to produce power.
At that time, Ojanpera said the technology was "reasonably mature," and predicted that it would take less than two years to commercialize it.
But Naskali said several issues with the technology had dented Nokia's enthusiasm, including logistical problems.
Current air transportation regulations prohibit the carrying of methanol, which is flammable, on an aircraft without special packaging."
Related articles:
-- Fuel cells for cellphones - Nokia is testing wireless mobile phone headsets powered by tiny fuel cells, the hydrogen-based energy source that could double or triple the life of portable devices with what is widely considered to be clean and efficient energy.
-- DoCoMo plans fuel-cell mobile phones - Mobile phones made with platinum that use fuel cells instead of batteries are expected to become available in 2004, according to an announcement by Japan's DoCoMo.
-- Fuel cell technology could double cell phone battery life - Fuel cell technology meant to replace gasoline in cars might first find a home in laptops and cell phones — more than doubling battery life.
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