Camcorders, organisers, portable audio devices or industrial sensors - the essential requirement for these products is a reliable, stand-alone power supply. 
 
 

Fuel cell system for a commercially available camcorder: Hydrogen from a metal hydride storage cartridge is transported to the fuel cell stack via an automatically switched micro-valve. Two miniature fans supply the fuel cell with oxygen.
 
 

Camcorder fuel cell stack with vents.

After completing two years of development, the Korean company LG and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar EnergySystems ISE present the first fuel cell system which is fully integrated into a laptop. Co-ordinated by the LG Technology Centre Europe, the Freiburg researchers in co-operation with CETI (Clean Energy Technologies Inc.) and LG-Caltex Oil have developed a prototype fuel cell system for integration in a notebook computer. The entire system consisting of a mini fuel cell, hydrogen fuel tanks and electronics are now located where the batteries used to be.

The sales of portable electronic devices are continuously increasing world-wide in the consumer branch as well as in the branches of industrial applications and of medical technology. Electronic devices are required to be mobile, wireless and powerful. Alternatives to batteries and rechargeable batteries having some recycling and degradation problems are in demand. "Fuel cells offer many advantages," says Dr. Christopher Hebling, Head of the Department Energy Technology at Fraunhofer ISE. "They not only have a high energy density and a long lifetime, but they also have a low environmental impact and show a great potential for economical production. In addition, the flexible geometry is conducive to a large variety of applications. Fuel cells have neither a memory-effect nor do they selfdischarge."

Since 1998, Fraunhofer ISE has offered to industry innovative solutions for the electrical energy supply of portable electronic devices. Four years ago the researchers presented the first prototype of a fuel cell system for a notebook at the Hannover Messe. At that time, the mini power station was not yet integrated into the computer. Now the next important step towards serial production has been made. In co-operation with the industry partner LG, the researchers in Freiburg have further reduced the size of the fuel cell system and have now integrated it into the computer housing. The fuel cell which produces electrical energy from hydrogen and air-oxygen is made up of only 27 single cells stacked on top of one another. The required hydrogen is adsorbed on metal powder in three metal hydride containers. Three ventilators supply the cells with air-oxygen. With a highly efficient voltage converter having an efficiency of 97%, the mini fuel cell system can provide the output voltage for the portable computer. The converter transforms the cell working voltage of 10-20 Volt into a constant voltage of 24 Volt as required by the computer. The fuel cell system has a peak power of 50 Watt, which is the peak power consumption of the Notebook used for this prototype.

"The system miniaturisation, one of the main goals in the development of portable fuel cells, has been achieved," according to Dr. Christopher Hebling. "The next step is to optimise the operation."

The LG laptop with an integrated fuel cell system can be viewed at the presentation of the "Fraunhofer-Initiative Micro Fuel Cells" at the Hannover Messe from 15-20 April in Hall 13 F68.

Contact persons for further information:
Mr. Gun-Tag Kim, CEO
Tel : +82-42-862-9580, e-mail : gtkbest@ceti-fuelcell.com

Dr. Dieter Geppert,
General Manager & Head of LG Technology Center Europe
Tel. +49 (0) 2131 3666-432, Fax +49 (0) 2131 3666-459
e-mail: d.geppert@lgtce.com

Dr. Christopher Hebling,
Head of the Department Energy Technology, Fraunhofer ISE
Tel. +49 (0) 7 61/45 88-51 95, Fax +49 (0) 7 61/45 88-93 20

Peep! "Please switch off. Power supply almost exhausted." Every day millions of mobile phone, palmtop, notebook, portable CD player and camcorder users are driven to fury by this warning. Without a power source, this wonderful new wealth of modern electronics is of no use at all. Yet the mobile and wireless trend still surges on. Electronic devices can only be portable if they maintain their own, self-sufficient power source. Disposable or rechargeable batteries are expensive, harmful to the environment and usually do not last long enough. Researchers are thus looking for ever greater urgency for alternatives. 

The Fraunhofer-Initiative "Miniature fuel cells" is working on innovative energy concepts for portable electronic devices. Its new means of mobile power supply will be on show at the Hanover fair. Fraunhofer researchers will operate a camcorder using the new fuel cells to illustrate their effectiveness in the low-power segment. "Our exhibit is a world first, since for the first time we will be demonstrating a fully operational and integrated fuel cell system," emphasizes Dr Christopher Hebling of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. A miniature fuel cell with a performance capability of 10W at 8V supplies enough power to run a camcorder. The miniature fuel cell
is barely larger than a matchbox and consists of 16 bipolar plates stacked and glued on top of one another. A metal hydride reservoir, which can be easily replaced, serves as a tank for the hydrogen. The researchers have paid particular attention to cost-effective subsequent series production. 

Also on display will be a fully self-sufficient palmtop, fitted by the ISE with high-performance solar cells. It requires neither fuel, nor battery nor network connection. It draws its energy from the sun. Indeed, even artificial light provides adequate energy to operate the palmtop. Concepts are currently under development for a fuel cell beamer and a universal power pack for portable power supply using fuel cells and solar cells – mobile power stations enabling users of electronic devices to dispense with any power cables.