The future of power for our notebook computers isn’t batteries, it’s fuel cells. The catch is that no one really knows when we might actually begin to see fuel cell powered notebooks on the market. We have seen fuel cell powered GPS devices though, so the time is coming.

PolyFuel has announced that it has a prototype Lenovo T40 ThinkPad that is running on the first functional version of its small notebook-class fuel cell. PolyFuel says that its fuel cell provides the ability for non-stop run times with the swap of small methanol cartridges. PolyFuel says that top notebook makers are looking at the technology for integration in their notebooks.

Jim Balcom, CEO of PolyFuel, commented: "Creating a functioning prototype is a critical step toward the development of a fuel cell reference design that can outperform lithium-ion batteries, and brings closer the achievement of our ultimate objective - the widespread commercialization of portable fuel cell technology."

Via Polyfuel