Science and technology research organisation QinetiQ has unveiled plans to look into developing hydrogen fuel cells suitable for mobile phones, cameras and PDAs.

The UK firm's research is being funded by camera company Olympus, which is looking to benefit from the technology in future models.

QinetiQ is hoping to produce by 2008 a working prototype with a long operating time that is capable of producing up to ten watts of power.

The prototype will then undergo further research with Olympus into the application of the fuel cells into portable devices.

Industry experts believe fuel cell technology will be able to meet the demands of consumers who are calling for increasingly small yet powerful devices.

A number of firms are currently looking into using fuel cells in portable devices, but currently problems over storing enough power in containers small enough to make them feasible has been a problem for developers.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd