Toshiba begins marketing fuel cells aimed at mobile phones.

On 22 October, Toshiba announced that the DynarioTM, a fuel cell for mobile phones, will go on sale from the 29th of the month. Limited to a first run of 3,000 units, advanced sales are now available on the Toshiba direct sales site “Shop1048”. The units are priced at 29,800 yen each (USD $325). At the same time, Toshiba is also selling additional fuel cartridges, with a 5-unit set selling for 3,150 yen (USD $34).

The DynarioTM uses a hybrid methanol-based fuel and lithium battery system. The special fuel cartridges are able to supply mobile phones with a full charge of electricity. One cartridge is able to supply two full charges to a mobile phone in about 20 seconds per charge.

Since mobile phones have come to place such a multipurpose and central role in everyday life, for communication, web browsing, and games, loss of service due to dead batteries has become a major cause of annoyance. The DynarioTM fuel cell has the additional merits of freeing recharging mobile phones from the need to use power outlets, as well as recharging mobile cell batteries very rapidly.

from Ecool, 22 Oct. 2009