A tiny fuel cell has been developed which experts believe could be used to replace batteries in laptops and other portable electronic equipment.

Scientists at the Arizona State University in Tempe, in the US, have developed a small hydrogen gas fuel cell which is able to provide power for between three and five times longer than conventional batteries of the same size.

The development could have a significant bearing on the uptake of fuel cells in portable electronic equipment, because until now one of the greatest barriers to their success has been the fact that they have needed to be much larger than conventional batteries to be able to provide sufficient power.

The scientists have developed the new cell using borohydride in a water-based solution, housed in a catalyst made of ruthenium. The solution then reacts with water in the presence of the catalyst, creating hydrogen gas.

Study leader, Don Gervasio, told a national meeting of the American Chemical Society: "We're trying to maximise the usable hydrogen storage capacity of borohydride in order to make this fuel cell power source last longer."


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