Going green: The technology could lead to more environmentally friendly mobile phones.
Credit: iStockphoto
PARIS: French researchers have nearly succeeded in commercially developing a hydrogen fuel cell for use as a backup power source for mobile phones, thus easing dependence on an electricity supply to charge the gadgets.
The miniature fuel cell uses a hydrogen-filled cartridge about the size of a small cigarette lighter, according to the researchers at the Atomic Energy Commission which has its headquarters in Saclay in northern France.
Hybrid handsets
They announced on Wednesday that the gadget, designed to be carried in a belt pouch, has been in gestation since 2005 with a semi-conductor technology company, STMicroelectronics.
The cartridges are being developed by the company Bic, which makes pens, lighters and razors.
The product is designed to be part of a "hybrid" system in which the cell phone first draws on the conventional battery for its power and then taps into the fuel cell if needed. Each cartridge gives the equivalent of three to five recharges of the traditional battery.
It is due to reach the market in early 2010, according to STMicroelectronics executive Igor Bimbaud, who declined to give its price.
FRENCH DO SOMETHING RIGHT FOR ONCE
wE HAVE THE BEST TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD
Ha! That's hilarious! France
Ha! That's hilarious! France who?
What's so "Green" about this?
Creating and adding who know how many little plastic cartridges to the waste stream? And 'carbon neutral; -- I highly doubt it. Consider the energy cost and greenhouse gas producing elements in manufacture and transportation of these items - whether disposable -or- refillable.
Yet another 'greenwashed' enticement to consume more if you ask me.
Want to be 'greener'? - Use less, if not at all. Reuse what exists.
Our cellphone fetishes, and constant fickleness with constantly discarding and replacing with new is certainly a huge toxic stream, and a considerable source of resource use and a greenhousegas contributor.
I hope most can see through this sort of greenwashing spin.
Lets get real.