MTI Micro Shows Off Methanol-Powered GPS

The methanol fuel cell in MTI Micro's latest prototype, a GPS unit, allows it to run for two and a half days straight without a recharge.

Though most of us associate the term “fuel cell” with futuristic cars zipping around without gasoline, a company called MTI Micro has been working to develop its own breed of micro fuel cells for powering portable electronics. On Friday, the company revealed its latest prototype, a GPS unit powered by a methanol fuel cell.

According to MTI, the fuel cell generates about three times as much energy as four disposable AA batteries, delivering a solid 60 hours of run time from the GPS unit. The device has also been designed with a USB charging interface, allowing it to serve as a power station for other portable devices, including mobile phones, digital cameras, and portable media players.

When the fuel cell dies, it can be refilled with methanol, the same form of alcohol found in windshield wiper fluid and Top Fuel dragster fuel.

“Battery life is a key issue with handheld GPS devices, especially as manufacturers add advanced energy-hungry features to new models, such as larger full color screens,” said MTI CEO Peng Lim, in a statement. “Our Mobionpowered GPS prototype will provide handheld GPS users such as hikers and campers, travelers, boaters, pilots and other sports enthusiasts the peace of mind of much longer usage time and will help them do away with the expense, bulk and environmental unfriendliness of conventional batteries.”

Currently, all of MTI’s fuel-cell products are strictly prototypes, but the company has plans to bring the technology to market in the future.