Last month the US Fuel Cell Council (USFCC) applauded the decision made by the US Department of Transportation to approve the carriage of fuel cells in aircraft passenger cabins. It said it was a "truly significant" milestone in the commercialisation of small fuel cell systems.

Sony unveiled a prototype for a fuel-cell system small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. Measuring about 50x30mm, the planned fuel cell works by combining a fuel cell, a Li-polymer secondary battery and a control circuit. The firm revealed the prototype at Small Fuel Cells 2008.

The firm is also developing a micro fuel cell system for mobile phone electronic devices that consists of a series of direct methanol fuel cells connected together. Sony claim to have achieved high power output, energy efficiency and overall size reduction.

The firm also revealed that the system, which uses methanol with a purity of 99 per cent, will provide a maximum output of 3W or higher. High efficiency is achieved through the low-crossover membrane electrode assembly using a fullerene-based electrolyte film alongside a platinum-based new catalyst material. The news came in a lecture at Small Fuel Cells 2008.

It was also announced last month that the fuel cell industry in Vancouver will receive a large boost from the Canadian Government which plans to invest $13.6 million into the sector. The funding comes as part of $118 million commitment by the Government to support research initiatives and Gary Lunn, the Minister of Natural Resources, said that it would create a competitive advantage for Canada.

Ballard Power Systems signed a multi-year supply agreement with an affiliate of the ACME Group to provide fuel cells for backup power in the wireless telecom market. The agreement will see both firms have mutual exclusivity for the India wireless telecom backup market until 2010.

Cleaner vehicles could be on Britain's roads within five to seven years following £23 million worth of investment from the Government into 16 innovative new projects. Invested by the Technology Strategy Board and the Department for Transport, the programme will assist companies looking to develop low carbon technologies such as fuel cells.

Sharp enjoyed a landmark month when it announced that it had achieved the highest power density for direct methanol fuel cells for mobile equipment in the world. The firm will look for further research and development for the practical application of fuel cells for mobile equipment such as PDAs, electronic dictionaries and laptops. According to the firm, the power density is 0.3W/cc and enables efficient power generation from a small cell volume.

WorldWise Marine has launched a new harbour tug which is fitted with fuel cells and hydrogen tanks. The design will be able to cut emissions to zero during most of its operating hours. Fuel cells and batteries combined will be able to provide enough power to operate the tug during standby and mobilisation/demobilisation periods. Sustainable Shipping revealed that this was 85 per cent of the time a tug is at work meaning that significant savings could be made.

Airbus and the Institute for Technical Thermodynamics at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) have equipped the DLR aircraft carrier A320 ATRA with a new fuel cell system. Professor Johann-Dietrich Worner, chairman of the Executive Board at DLR, said it would provide a fuel efficient aircraft that would minimise pollution and increase safety.

As oil prices continued to surge over the last month, hydrogen energy could become popular. That is the view of Andrew McCree, chief executive of AEA, an energy consultancy reporting to the Department for Business. He said hydrogen was looking more attractive as oil prices tip the $200 a barrel mark. Johnson Matthey also estimates that at least £1bn is being spent on hydrogen each year. Firms including Shell, Rolls-Royce, Ford, BMW and Honda are leading the way in the use of hydrogen fuel cell technology.

The US Department of Energy is aiming to invest as much as $130 million in advanced fuel cell technologies. The funds will advance the development and use of fuel cells for automotive, stationary and portable power applications. It comes as part of the DoE's commitment to research and development in the hydrogen fuel cell industry.

Viaspace outlined the future of fuel cell cartridges; one that it believes will be very lucrative. "Fuel cells are like a razor with fuel cartridges as the razor blades," said Dr Carl Kukkonen, Chief Executive officer of the firm. He said that the firm was helping to build an industry that could be worth "tens of billions of dollars" in revenue.