Toshiba announced the availability of its first fuel cell (limited series, 3,000 units):
Based on methanol, and weighting 280g, it can deliver a stable 5V tension of 400 mA, so be used to either reload battery of most USB devices or directly be used as a battery. When filling up the tank of the cell, one would be able to fully charge the battery of 2 mobile phones. High grade methanol cartridges are available to refueling the cell. Each cartridge will offer 50 ml volume, and sold by 5 units it will cost customers 34.5 USD. The fuel cell itself will cost 326 USD. This is a rather moderate price, however, the cost of methanol make the cost of a single charge for the battery of a mobile phone to 1 USD - much more expensive than most current solutions. This solution will remain for users needing power in region without easy access to electricity, or even sun as solar captor-based system for charging batteries are also more effective and competitive than this fuel cell. However, price, yield and efficiency of fuel cells should improve significantly in the coming years, and it might then become a true alternative to direct electric powering.
