NTT DoCoMo enhances prototype micro fuel cell for FOMA handsets

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. has worked with Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd to develop an improved prototype methanol fuel cell for 3G FOMA handsets. The new prototype enables eight hours of continuous talk time, three times the capacity of the existing prototype, while weighing the same 190g. The new device is expected to greatly extend usage time once it goes into commercial production.

The companies improved the capacity by increasing the methanol concentration from 30% to over 99% and developing a method of recycling the generated water. DoCoMo unveiled a prototype micro fuel cell using methanol as an inexpensive source of fuel back in September 2004 to meet user demands for more convenient handsets with greater power capacity and reduced environmental impact.

Power consumption demands are rising as FOMA users take advantage of new services and handset features such as videophone and flat-rate monthly billing for data services such as i-motion and i-appli. In addition to its work on micro fuel cells, DoCoMo is trying to increase the capacity of its lithium-ion batteries, the most commonly used battery in handsets today.

Further work on the prototype, a cradle-shaped device, is expected to be completed by the end of March 2006.