EVERETT – Intermec Technologies plans to be among the first companies in the world to offer a hand-held device powered by fuel cells rather than batteries.
The Everett-based company has unveiled a new radio frequency identification reader that uses a micro fuel cell to continuously charge the device’s more conventional lithium-ion battery.
“We’ve built a number of these units and we’re in testing. But I think it will probably be in production by midyear,” said Arvin Danielson, Intermec’s chief technology officer.
Popular Science magazine features the special version of Intermec’s IP3 RFID reader in its annual “Best of What’s New” issue this month. The methanol fuel cell technology powering the device, developed by MTI Micro Fuel Cells of Albany, N.Y., won the magazine’s grand award for general innovation this year.
Intermec began working with MTI Micro after the two signed a partnership agreement in January 2003. MTI saw an opportunity to get its technology to market, while Intermec saw a way to give its hand-held computing and scanning devices a competitive edge.
Because Intermec’s products typically are used for inventory tracking and other warehouse or mobile uses, battery life is important, Danielson said.
“If your cell phone dies, you’re not happy. When one of our devices dies … these are mission-critical devices, so it can shut down a company,” he said.
But as added technology has increased the power consumption requirements of mobile computers and other electronic devices, battery technology hasn’t kept up. That’s why even a modest boost from fuel cells could be attractive to customers.
Popular Science reports the new Intermec RFID reader can run up to 30 hours, rather than the usual eight. Danielson said he thinks improved fuel cell technology may eventually multiply the time between charges by double digits.
And instead of changing batteries, the customer will pop in a new fuel cell cartridge.
MTI’s fuel cell technology, called Mobion, combines fuel and oxygen to produce electricity. This process requires moving water between the cell’s positive and negative sides, a potential obstacle to miniaturizing it. But Mobion uses a water-moving membrane to accomplish that.
MTI Micro, a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology Inc., isn’t pinning its hopes for success just on its Intermec partnership.
“MTI actually has been working with a wide variety of manufacturers,” said Bernadette Geyer, director of outreach programs for the U.S. Fuel Cell Council in Washington, D.C.
She added that several other companies also are working to bring micro fuel cells to cellphone callers, laptop computer users and other consumers. That includes Neah Power Systems, a Bothell company that hopes to have its direct methanol cell out by 2006.
While Intermec will be a pioneer in offering fuel cell-powered products, Danielson said he doesn’t expect it to be alone in that market for long.
“We want to be a leader, but we want to be the leader in something that is going to be a common commodity,” he said.
Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com.
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