A micro fuel cell (MFC) is an electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy of fuel, such as hydrogen or methanol or some patented fuel, into electrical energy. Unlike batteries, which require recharging, fuel cells can continuously produce electricity as long as there is a constant fuel supply. Though no universally accepted definition exists for micro fuel cells, the term typically describes small fuel-cell systems that provide less than 50 watts of power.
Fuel cells have unique technological attributes: efficiency, absence of moving parts, and low emissions. However, compelling technology alone does not provide a viable business model. Market demand for portable, power-hungry devices and the corresponding need to power them are critical market drivers for micro fuel cells, whereas stationary and transportation applications for fuel cells rely more heavily on environmental and regulatory drivers. Within the fuel cell industry, many analysts believe that micro fuel cells will be the first fuel cell systems to achieve widespread acceptance in consumer markets, despite the fact that stationary and transportation fuel cell systems are further along in technological development.
To date, small scale power supplies have been the missing link in the information revolution - the obstacle to the ubiquitous computing environments and smart machines heralded as the next big wave of silicon intelligence.
Within the decade, however, all this will change. As the micro-device market grows, coming innovations will redefine the personal use of power. The individual will now be free from the household and workplace power grids, relying when desired, on personal (and personalized) mobile power systems. Connectivity, communication, and knowledge management will be forever changed.
Small-scale power systems will enhance innumerable new, as well as existing, wireless devices. Uses will run the gamut from augmenting cell phones and laptop computers to powering communicating cameras as well as new applications.
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- Introduction
- Study Goal And Objectives
- Reasons For Doing The Study
- Contributions Of The Study
- Scope And Format
- Methodology
- Information Sources
- Target Audience For The Study
- Author’s Credentials
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Study Goal And Objectives
- Reasons For Doing The Study
- Contributions Of The Study
- Scope And Format
- Methodology
- Information Sources
- Whom The Study Is Addressed To
- Author’s Credentials
- Executive Summary
- Industry Overview
- Industry Structure
- Global Markets
- Technology Overview
- Safety
- High Energy Density
- Cost
- Electronics
- Definitions
- Micro Fuel Cell Theory
- Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
- Proton Exchange (Polymer Electrolyte)
- Membrane Fuel Cells
- Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells
- Formic Acid Fuel Cells
- Chip-size Fuel Cells
- Proprietory Fuel Based Fuel Cells (Alkaline Fuel Cell)
- Applications
- Mobile Phones
- Notebook Computers
- Portable Digital Assistant (Pda)
- Other Handheld Electronic Consumer Products Including Ic Chips
- Current Materials Used In Micro Fuel Cells
- Liquid Methanol
- Hydrogen And Hydrogen Battery.
- Membrane Electrode Assembly (Mea)
- Emerging Materials For Micro Fuel Cells
- Fuel Cell/Hydrogen Infrastructure Codes And Standards
- Standards And Applicable Safety Regulations For Micro Fuel Cells For Electronic Consumer Products
- Underwriters Lab
- Council Of The International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao)
- U.S. Department Of Transportation
- Fuel Cartridge Distribution
- Industry Characterstics
- Competition And Market Dynamics
- Partnership And Consolidation
- Market Size
- Regional Market
- Patents And Patent Analysis
- List Of Patents
- Patent Analysis
- Patents On Micro Fuel Cells
- International Overview Of Us Patent Activity In Microfuel Cells
- Company Profiles
- 3m
- Angstrom Power Incorporated
- Antig Technology Co Ltd
- Canon
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- Toshiba Corporation
- Ultracell Corporation (Usa)
- Appendix A: Militrary Versus Consumer Markets..
- Operational /Functional Differences With A Battery Pack Versus Mfc
- Military Market Versus Non-military Handheld Consumer Electronics Market
- List Of Tables
- Summary Table:
- Global Market For Micro Fuel Cells By Application, 2006 And 2011
- Table 1: Representative List Of Major Suppliers Of Micro Fuel Cells And Mfc Components 2006
- Table 2: Share Of World Market Of Top Five Companies Manufacturing Micro Fuel Cells (For Handheld Electronic Consumer Segment) 2006
- Table 3: Summary Of Global Market For Micro Fuel Cells By Technology Through 2011
- Table 4: The Language Of Micro Fuel Cells
- Table 5: Comparison Of Dmfc And Pefc Technologies Used In Micro Fuel Cells For Handheld Electronic Consumer Products
- Table 6: Average Sales Price Of Battery Pack For Handheld Electronic Consumer Products By Application V/S Micro Fuel Cells Average Prices, 2006-2011
- Table 7: Forecast Of Micro Fuel Cells In Mobile Phones
- Table 8: Forecast Of Micro Fuel Cells In Laptops, 2006-2011
- Table 9: Forecast Of Micro Fuel Cells In Portable Digital Assistants (Pdas), 2006-2011
- Table 10: Forecast Of Micro Fuel Cells In Other Handheld Electronic Consumer Products (Digital Music Systems, Camcorders, Digital Cameras, Battery Chargers), 2006-2011
- Table 11: Handheld Consumer Electronic Products-power Requirement Assumptions
- Table 12: Summary Of Types Of Parts V/S Technology In Micro Fuel Cells, Excluding Mea
- Table 13: Key Suppliers Of Components Of Micro Fuel Cells, 2006
- Table 14: Emerging Advanced Materials For Micro Fuel Cells For Consumer Electronics Products
- Table 15: Acquisition Deals Among Manufacturers Of Micro Fuel Cells, 2000 To 2006
- Table 16: Summary Of Global Market For Micro Fuel Cells By Application Through 2011
- Table 17: Summary Of Global Market For Micro Fuel Cells By Region Through 2011
- Table 18: Number Of Us Patents Granted To Companies Manufacturing Micro Fuel Cells From 2002 Through 2006 (Up To Aug31)
- Table 19: Number Of Us Patents Granted By Assigned Country/Region For Micro Fuel Cells From January 2001 To August 2006
- Table 20: Company Product Reference Of Micro Fuel Cells
- Table 21: Share Of Military Market V/S Non-military Consumer Electronics Market Of Micro Fuel Cells By Top Three Manufacturers
- List Of Figures
- Summary Figure:
- Global Market Share Of Micro Fuel Cells By Application
- 2006-2011
- Figure 1: Global Percentage Share For Micro Fuel Cells 2006 And 2011
- Figure 2: Plots Of The Energy Density V/S The Ratio Of Fuel Volume To Total System Volume
- Figure 3: Percentage Share Of Global Market For Micro Fuel Cells By Application In 2006 And 2011
- Figure 4: Regional Percentages Of Market Share For Micro Fuel Cells In 2006 And 2011
- Figure 5: Top Companies In Terms Of Us Patents Granted For Micro Fuel Cells From 2002 Through
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