Large and small fuel-cell charger (via Lilliputain)
Lilliputian Systems has recently announced their partnership with Brookstone (retailers of everything) to sell their portable Silicon Power Cell system that is capable of re-charging just about every mobile device with one butane cartridge, for several weeks at a time. The smaller charger can supposedly handle recharging a smartphone 10 times, and the larger charger can handle 20 times (3W output on both). The portable charger, a little bigger than a pack of cigarettes, houses a chip that takes advantage of a solid oxide fuel cell which converts butane into electricity with only a tiny amount of CO2 and water-vapor as a by-product. Although the internal temperature reaches 750 °C (1380 °F), the heated core is insulated so well that it can be touched. Conveniently, the butane cartridges are about the size of a cigarette lighter and come in various sizes with the smallest being able to provide ten charges before needing to be replaced.
A series of LED’s lets you know what’s happening with the device: Green lets you know your device is charging, Red to let you know your low on fuel, and Blue to inform you that a new cartridge has been inserted and ready to go. The portable charger is equipped with a USB port that allows for just about any mobile device such as phones, tablets, MP3 players and cameras to get a boost when you need it (especially at trade shows). There’s no word yet on the exact MSRP will be, but the charger is rumored to run anywhere from $150 US to $200 with the recyclable recharging butane cartridges going for $2 to $5 US depending on the size. An interesting sidenote is that the company states that you will be able to carry these butane filled chargers on airplanes, but regular lighters are still not allowed. It’s unknown at this time as to exactly when Lilliputian’s Silicon Power Cell will be available , but chances are that it will be out within a few months.
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