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Fuel-cell powered devices getting closer
FUEL CELL-POWERED gear is a step closer now that the US government has removed legislation that would have prevented the development.
Technology that allowed tiny fuel cells, powered by combustible liquids or gasses, which could power a laptop for days between refills, have been stalled because regulators were not convinced they were safe.
Now the US government has removed a key roadblock when the Department of Transportation amended its hazardous materials regulations to allow cells with methanol, butane or formic acid to be carried on airplanes.
Previously it thought that since Methanol and butane were flammable, and formic acid is corrosive, it was not a good idea to have them on aircraft, which meant fuel cell development had remained in limbo.
Sara Bradford, an energy and power systems consultant for Frost & Sullivan said that one of the largest challenges to this market was to overcome that regulation problem.
Use of fuel cells where a tiny amount of fuel flows into a small chip to generate electricity without combustion, means that users will swap out a fuel cartridge to continue listening to music or check e-mail.
Bradford said that such products are now a year or two away, as electronics manufacturers show more interest and fuel cell makers move beyond trade show prototypes.
Lilliputian Systems said it will introduce a portable fuel cell late next year for any device that can be charged via a USB port.
The cigarette-pack-size charger will use a canister of butane, the same fuel used in cigarette lighters, to power up an iPod, BlackBerry, GPS device or digital camera.
Mouli Ramani, Lilliputian's vice president of business development said that a teaspoon of the fuel can provide 20 times the run time of a battery of the same size.
It will be sold as a charging system pack for between $100 and $150 with refill cartridges costing $1 to $3. ยต
L'Inq
AP
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Methanol-based fuel cells would be AWESOME. For the ignorant few, Methanol = Rubbing Alcohol, which costs about $0.79 for a quart of 91% strength. Make it anhydrous with desiccant (I believe calcium chloride would work - sold as ice melter, $8 for a 50lb bag, which would be practically a lifetime supply), and you've got practically free fuel cell refills. 
I can't wait to hack these things.
FYI Fuel Cell Mfgr:

http://www.viaspace.com/viaspace_energy.php
Click...

Booom!

HaHaHa!

I kill you!
"It will be sold as a charging system pack for between $100 and $150 with refill cartridges costing $1 to $3."

I know it on reliable account that HP is introducing it's own system.

The pack will sell for between $1 and $3 with refill cartridges costing $100 to $150. HP will use a special chip in the cartridges for customer convenience, which will prevent use after the expiry date. Hacking the cartridge will require breaking the law (DMCA protection).

The ink of modern times... Enjoy!
You'll be able to light your cigarette, or fag if you're British, with your laptop.

Makes me wonder how expensive the chip is. And since the reaction probably doesn't make noise, maybe they'll start selling kits for when the lights go out. Also, you'll be able to watch dvds and play games while you're out in the boonies. Not immediately, obviously, but I feel it's just a matter of time.

Makes me wonder how the reaction works.