Casio Computer has developed the world's smallest fuel cell for use in laptop personal computers.

The Japanese electronics firm now plans to market the polymer electrolyte fuel cell in 2007.  The fuel cell will produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum catalyst.

The cell, which is being developed for use in automobiles and home appliances, has been miniaturized to almost the same size as a conventional lithium ion battery.

The unit features a device that extracts hydrogen from methanol and sends the hydrogen to the main fuel cell.

The capacity of the new cell is nearly four times higher than that of a conventional battery, and it can power a typical laptop computer for between eight to 16 hours.

Casio developed the device in conjunction with Akira Igarashi, an engineering professor at Kogakuin University.

Under current law, methanol is treated as a dangerous substance because it is flammable and using it requires manufacturers to take excessive safety measures.

However, government regulators are considering deregulation as early as 2007, so that the new fuel cells can be rolled out.