A small but significant barrier to the adoption of fuel cell-powered mobile phones and laptops was removed this week after the US Department of Transportation ruled that it will allow passengers to carry approved fuel cells while flying.
According to reports at CNet's Green Tech Blog, the department has decided that passengers will be allowed to carry approved methanol fuel cells and up to two spare fuel cell cartridges in their carry-on luggage.
Fuel cell-powered phones are not currently on the market, but a number of mobile phone companies including Motorola and Samsung are working on versions of the technology, with experts predicting the first models could arrive as early as next year.
Advocates of the technology claim they offer a more energy-efficient means of running personal electronic devices, such as mobiles, MP3 players and laptops, and also remove the need to charge up batteries as when a fuel cell runs out users simply replace it with a new cartridge.
The decision brings the US into line with Canada, China, Japan and the UK, all of which have already granted approval to letting passengers carry fuel cells during flights.
As a Swiss project outlines plans for the world's first solar powered round-the-world-flight the aviation industry expresses optimism solar panels could one day help power commercial airliners 21 Feb 2008
New rules would force the public sector to assess vehicle's carbon emissions when making purchasing decisions 02 Jul 2008
With fuel protestors gathering in London and no end in sight to soaring oil prices pressure on firms to adopt more fuel efficient fleets and transport policies is increasing fast 27 May 2008
Intelligent Energy and Boeing complete three test flights of fuel cell powered aircraft 03 Apr 2008
Former SAP exec has raised $200m and will begin building battery recharging network as early as next year 01 Nov 2007Intelligent Energy ramps up funding for R&D and partnerships 04 Jul 2008
Focus on energy savings through fuel efficiency for homes and public and commercial buildings 04 Jul 2008
ActionAid accuses G8 of driving more people into poverty by pursing biofuels and cutting agri-aid 04 Jul 2008
More news
Businesses' new found focus on the environment may be welcome, but according to Conrad MacKerron, it is taking attention away from workers' rights issues – and the credibility of the entire green business movement could be at risk 03 Jul 2008
It may be a year old, but as Dell's Jonathan Perry explains, firms looking to get rid of their old IT kit still need to pay attention to the WEEE directive 02 Jul 2008
Telling customers about your environmental targets is all well and good but, as Paul Thomas argues, they are meaningless if you do not know how they are to be achieved 01 Jul 2008 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
