Everyone who owns a smartphone is well aware that the one true kryptonite of their devices is the way that it mercilessly chews through fully-charged batteries. While battery technology has come a long way in the past few years, it has continued to struggle to keep up with the increasingly power hungry devices that manufacturers release every six months. Those that seem to be tethered continually to a power outlet may be able to free themselves from their power prison with a new product that uses butane to recharge devices while on-the-go.
Created by a MIT spinoff company called Lilliputian Systems, the butane fuel cell charger will be sold at Brookstone for an undisclosed price (but being sold at a mall tech-boutique, you know it’s going to be pricey). The charger will be able to fully replenish your device’s battery 13 to 14 times before needing a refill. That’s a pretty tall order for a fuel that is most commonly used light tobacco products because of its ability to burn hot and clean. However, after working on the technology for over 10 years, it’s about time that Lilliputian brings it to market.
What makes butane charging possible is a new process places a solid oxide fuel cell onto a silicon wafer, a first for the industry. This membrane allows the conversion of the liquid fuel to usable energy that can charge through any USB port.
As mentioned above, there’s no word on what the pricing for the charging device, but both the company and Brookstone say that the refill cartridges will cost as much as a cup of coffee at Starbucks (they didn’t specify what size). I would hazard a guess that the unit itself will be around $100, with the refills cartridges being around $5.99 which would make the unit very affordable over the long run indeed. Lilliputian Systems plans to announce when the first units will be made available at Brookstone later this year.
With the ability to carry this device and its fuel cell on airplanes legally makes this an interesting development in the mobile power market. If Lilliputian’s claims hold up this will be a large step forward and a technology that will be copied and become commonplace very soon.
Read more at Lilliputian Systems, via Geekosystem
