Samsung develop fuel cell mobile device 'which runs on water'

A micro fuel cell and hydrogen generator that runs on water has been developed by Samsung Electro-Mechanics, it has been reported.

According to the Chosen Ilbo, mobile phones which run on water could hit the market as soon as 2010 as a result of this development.

The micro fuel cell can be used to power mobile devices as it can generate up to three watts of electricity, Samsung has said, according to Chosen Ilbo.

This means that the fuel cell could power a handset for up to ten hours.

Explaining the process, Oh Yong-soo, vice president of Samsung Electro-Mechanics' research centre, told Chosen Ilbo: "When the handset is turned on, metal and water in the phone react to produce hydrogen gas.

"The gas is then supplied to the fuel cell where it reacts with oxygen in the air to generate power."

Cartridges would have to be changed once every five days based on usage of around four hours a day on average, the vice president added.


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Source: Adeco