| By next Christmas you could own a cellular phone or laptop computer that runs on methanol, the same fuel that powers drag racers. Both NEC and Sony are working on fuel cell technology that turns methanol into electricity. These new batteries are much more efficient than the current lithium-ion. NEC claims the new batteries offer 10 times more power per weight than lithium-ion at a comparable cost.
The company says it could begin production by 2002. The new batteries would let mobile phones and laptops last for weeks without recharging. |
