Methanol Fuel Cells: Coming Soon to a Computer Near You?

In the spring of 2005, IBM excitedly announced that it was working on a collaborative project with well-known Sanyo to produce a device that would be capable of running on methanol fuel cells. The prototype IBM ThinkPad laptop computer was not only configured to run on methanol fuel cells but had the ability to contain an alternate source of power as well. At the time of the announcement, the alternate power source was a typical battery.

The prototype of the ThinkPad was able to run for up to eight hours with no additional need for alternate power sources, courtesy of methanol fuel cell power. The companies also announced that no major redesign or restructuring of the configuration of the current model of ThinkPad would be necessary.

Enthusiasm abounded as the potential for such fuel cell operated devices was contemplated. The vice president of IBM’s Personal Computing Division, Peter Hortensius, noted that alternative energy such as methanol fuel cells had interesting and exciting applications to business devices and equipment. He stated that he believed that such devices could increase the probability for increased efficiency in the workplace.

It was not announced when a methanol fuel cell powered ThinkPad would be released and made widely available to consumers.