KTH The Royal Institute of Technology develops world’s first water-activated charging device for mobile phones
Based on micro fuel cell technology, the MyFC PowerTrekk device now means that a power source for your mobile phone can now be as close as the nearest tap or stream.
Anders Lundblad, KTH researcher and founder of MyFC, said that the device can be powered by fresh or seawater. The water need not be completely clean.
“Our invention has great potential to accelerate social development in emerging markets,” Lundblad says. “There are large areas that lack electricity, while mobile phones fulfil more and more vital functions, such as access to weather information or electronic payment.”
A USB connector attaches the compact PowerTrekk charger to the device. When plain water is poured onto a small disposable metal disc inside the unit, hydrogen gas is released and combines with oxygen to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. The resulting charge is enough to power an iPhone to between 25 and 100 per cent of its battery capacity.
Lundblad has done research on micro fuel cells and small flat Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells for more than 15 years at the Department of Applied Electrochemistry at KTH. Lundblad said the business vision behind MyFC is to commercialize fuel cell technology and contribute to the development of environmental technology.
Lundblad advised thatthe charger is the first step toward building fuel cells in laptops.
“The launch of our charger is a strategic move to gain wide acceptance of fuel cells throughout society,” said Lundblad. “Our chargers may be considered expensive now; but in the longer term, as they reach a mass market, they would go down in price.”
Lundblad said that fuel cell chargers are faster and more reliable than solar chargers. The main target groups for MyFC PowerTrekk are those who travel or live in remote areas of the world, outdoor enthusiasts and aid workers.
The charger is both a fuel cell and a portable battery, providing a direct power source as well as a storage buffer for the fuel.
MyFC plans to open an online shop for its MyFC PowerTrekk product. The company has already sold the technology to users in China, Japan, the U.S. and much of Europe.
Visit KTH Royal Institute of Technology at www.kth.se
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