The route to clean energy is through small gadgets, according to Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies.
The company said Monday that it will show off the HydroFill, a home-use fuel cell system suitable for charging small electronics, at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show. The product is set for release later in 2010.
The HydroFill extracts hydrogen gas from water and stores it in Hydrostik cartridges with a metal alloy that absorbs the hydrogen. To then charge electronic devices, people use a pocket-size fuel cell charger, called a MiniPak, which pulls hydrogen from the cartridges and a produces an electrical current. The MiniPak can charge devices through a USB port and cell phone adapter, and the company offers an optional AA-battery charger.
Horizon believes the HYDROFILLTM is the first step towards private refueling of new generations of fuel cell electric vehicles. Fuel cell technology can greatly improve the features and usability of many battery or engine-powered devices, and create the possibility for lower cost electric cars that drive longer distances and recharge instantly. Instead of starting with more complex automotive developments, Horizon’s founders decided to
start enabling devices that require less power, such as various portable and consumer applications.
In 2006 and as a way to start nursing society through the infancy of the hydrogen economy, Horizon introduced solar hydrogen powered toy cars that quickly became the world’s largest volume-produced commercial fuel cell products. Today the company sells its fuel cells through various retail channels in over 60 countries, reduced the cost of fuel cells to marketable levels, and has developed practical ways for all to store and refuel hydrogen. Horizon’s next phase starts now with the market introduction of a complete line of portable consumer electronic devices that address much larger markets.
The first of these products include a micro-fuel cell power supply called MINIPAK, which extends the off-grid runtimes of small electronic devices including cell phones, lighting products, and many USB powered devices. Horizon will also present an upgraded version of its larger portable off-grid DC power supply system called HYDROPAK. While these and other products will start entering the market in
2010, Horizon is already developing larger-size refueling systems that will enable anything from garden equipment to transportation.
Horizon believes the HYDROFILLTM is the first step towards private refueling of newgenerations of fuel cell electric vehicles. Fuel cell technology can greatly improve the featuresand usability of many battery or engine-powered devices, and create the possibility for lowercost electric cars that drive longer distances and recharge instantly.Instead of starting with more complex automotive developments, Horizon’s founders decided tostart enabling devices that require less power, such as various portable and consumerapplications.
Source Engadget
