Perhaps batteries aren’t the right way to go at all, though. A doctoral researcher at Aalto University in Finland has developed a prototype of a highly efficient micro fuel cell that runs on alcohol. Maybe in the future when you swing by the bar for a drink, you’ll also be able to top off your phone.
We’re used to hearing about fuel cell technology in motor vehicles, but at the most basic level, fuel cells are simply a way to generate electricity.
There’s no reason a fuel cell cant work in a mobile device, and the high energy density would make it potentially far superior to a lithium-ion battery. It’s just a matter of making the cell small and durable enough to ride around in a smartphone in your pocket all day.
The Aalto University fuel cell was designed by Gianmario Scotti for his doctoral dissertation. Like larger fuel cells, the micro cell consumes alcohol and oxygen, outputting water, carbon dioxide, and of course, electricity.
The Aalto University fuel cell was designed by Gianmario Scotti for his doctoral dissertation. Like larger fuel cells, the micro cell consumes alcohol and oxygen, outputting water, carbon dioxide, and of course, electricity.
It’s able to run on either methanol or ethanol, but the latter is preferable. Not only is ethanol easier to produce with our current energy infrastructure, it comes with minimal health hazards (this is the alcohol we can consume safely in moderation).
Methanol, by contrast, is highly toxic when ingested, and is also a skin irritant.
Powering smartphones is really just the most consumer-facing use for micro fuel cells. Scotti suggests that these same devices could be of use with micro-satellites, which need to keep weight down for launch and only remain in orbit for a limited time.
Powering smartphones is really just the most consumer-facing use for micro fuel cells. Scotti suggests that these same devices could be of use with micro-satellites, which need to keep weight down for launch and only remain in orbit for a limited time.
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