A US research team is developing a technology to produce cheaper, lighter and more easily replaced methanol fuel cells for use in electrical appliances.

Led by Dr Arumugam Manthiram, the team from the University of Texas has been granted $3.5 million from the US Office of Naval Research to undertake three years of research into methanol fuel cells which offer a host of advantages over their lithium counterparts.

One facet of the research remit will see the team attempt to develop cheaper, more efficient materials for eliciting the chemical reactions that generate electricity in methanol-powered fuel cells.

Meanwhile, further experiments will be undertaken to develop process controls for producing components that determine the flow of methanol and oxygen to membrane-electrode assemblies.

Should the team's endeavours prove successful it is possible that methanol-powered fuel cells that are half as heavy as lithium ion equivalents could be developed for use in mobile phones, MP3 players and numerous other household objects.

The technology could also offer significant advantages to the military, Dr Manthiram said.

"Soldiers wouldn't have to look for an electrical socket to recharge their batteries and fuel cells would significantly reduce the weight soldiers have to carry," he explained.

The researchers are also in line to receive a further $2.3 million from the naval office to cover an additional two years of research.

Source:

Lighter power sources for communication devices expected from $5.8 million grant to engineers, chemists, 27/06/07

http://www.engr.utexas.edu/news/articles/200706271279/index.cfm

Lighter power sources for communication devices expected from $5.8 million grant to engineers, chemists, 27/06/07

http://www.engr.utexas.edu/news/action_shots/pages/manthiram_fuel%20cells_2007.cfm

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