As portable consumer electronic devices continue to evolve, current battery technology is having trouble keeping pace. From the United States to Europe and Asia , consumer electric manufacturers are developing micro fuel cell technologies to power the next generation of laptop computers, cellular phones and other essential modern devices. And in the portable electronics world, each new generation is only a year or two away. Using methanol as a hydrogen carrier fuel, micro fuel cells represent a completely new portable power technology.

New safety codes & standards and transportation regulations are now being developed to ensure that this technology is safe to put in the consumer's hands. Standards and regulatory requirements have existed for many years for batteries and consumer electronics products. Fuel cell equipment will need to meet the existing standards for consumer electronics products plus new requirements specific to fuel cell equipment. The fuel cell industry has been working in this effort with U.S. and international codes and standards authorities.¹

1. Methanol Foundation & MTI Micro Fuel Cells Fact Sheet, 2004.