IBM and SANYO Electric on Monday demonstrated a prototype micro direct methanol fuel cell system for IBM ThinkPad notebooks. The prototype system could supply up to 8 hours of power per fuel cell cartridge. The SANYO system does not require altering the standard ThinkPad notebook design.

Unlike other prototypes that require a modified design to outfit fuel cell batteries, SANYO’s system was designed to be compatible with most current ThinkPad models without the need to alter the notebook design. The fuel cell system also includes an auxiliary bay IBM’s Ultrabay Slim Battery to supplement peak power consumption for business applications. In addition, the auxiliary bay could be used to make the power supply even more versatile by charging an Ultrabay Slim Battery.

The concept fuel cell system used in the Thinkpad notebook utilizes both micro fuel cells and rechargeable batteries. This hybrid system could enable the user to efficiently operate IBM’s ThinkPad notebooks for a longer time compared to systems with only a fuel cell while also providing the convenience of an AC cordless environment, according to the statement by the two companies. No other details were provided.

“There are a number of vendors developing fuel cell battery prototypes for PCs and mobile devices, but the combination of IBM’s first-class ThinkPad notebooks and SANYO’s leadership position in the technology will accelerate research and development in the field," said Peter Hortensius, vice president, IBM Personal Computing Division.

“We do not focus simply on the ‘wow factor’ of fuel cells – we see it as a powerful enabler that could support a wide variety of business applications. These companies are collaborating to help carry ThinkPad notebooks to the next generation of power supplies, while supporting the highest levels of business productivity,” Mr. Hortensius added.

The IBM PC Division's ThinkPad development team has focused on new behavioral usage models for fuel cells in mobile computing, such as docking stations used for office “hoteling” concepts and the deployment of notebook computers in locations remote from traditional power sources.

The IBM PC Division's research and development of ThinkPad mobile computing technology takes place at the Yamato Laboratory in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan and at development facilities in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. After the launch of the new Lenovo Group in the second quarter, 2005, these resources will be joined by Lenovo R&D facilities in Beijing and Shanghai.