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Frequently Asked Questions about Toshiba Fuel Cell Technology 1. What is a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell? A fuel cell is a small power generator that converts the chemical energy of fuel, such as methanol, into electric energy. Unlike batteries, which require recharging, fuel cells can continuously produce electricity as long as there is a constant fuel supply. Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC) can provide a new energy concept for personal electronic devices such as notebook PCs, cellular phones or wearable electronic devices like digital audio players and headsets. 2. When did Toshiba begin research on direct methanol fuel cells? What are some of Toshiba’s notable achievements and milestones in this field? Toshiba has conducted R&D on both active and passive fuel cells since the early 1990s, and has filed and obtained many patents on DMFC technology. Its achievements confirm that the company remains in the forefront in developing the potential of fuel cells. Toshiba led the industry by demonstrating the first DMFC for portable PCs in March 2003. In June 2004, Toshiba announced a prototype of the world’s smallest DMFC with energy output of 100 milliwatts (mW), which could be integrated into devices as small as digital audio players and wireless headsets for mobile phones. This new device adopted a “passive” fuel supply system which fed methanol directly into the cell. In 2005, Guinness World Records certified this achievement. In October 2005, Toshiba exhibited a portable battery charger and cell phone jointly developed with KDDI and demonstrated conceptual products, such as a portable music player, at the CEATEC Japan trade show. In January 2007 at CES, Toshiba exhibited a notebook PC with a smaller, lighter, built-in prototype DMFC unit that realized an average output of 10W or more. By using smaller and thinner parts, Toshiba was able to install the DMFC inside the PC. This prototype is designed to operate for approximately 5 hours from a 70cc cartridge, but operating time could vary depending on the PC applications. In 2008, Toshiba displayed chargers or integrated fuel cells in mobile TV viewer and cell phones at CES and CEATEC. In March 2009 at Mobile World Congress, Toshiba demonstrated a prototype of a hybrid lithium-ion (Li-ion) fuel cell battery pack combination for the Toshiba TG01 mobile phone. In 2009, At Japan's CEATEC show, Toshiba and KDDI demonstrating a modified Toshiba T002 phone that's powered by a Irvine Headquarters 19900 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 400 Irvine, California 92612 Telephone: (949) 623-2900, Facsimile: (949) 474-1300 Frequently Asked Questions about Toshiba Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Technology Page 2 direct-methanol fuel cell (DMFC) and Li-Ion battery. More advanced than previous prototypes, it runs for 320 hours of standby time on a squirt of methanol. In Oct. 2009, Toshiba announced its first commercial launch in Japan of the Toshiba Dynario™ external power source incorporating a direct methanol fuel cell and dedicated fuel cartridges. 3. What is the difference between active and passive DMFC? Active systems use a pump and fan to feed methanol and oxygen into a cell or cell stack, where the oxygen reacts with the methanol to produce electricity. Active systems are more complex than passive systems and are better suited for applications demanding larger power consumption. Toshiba’s active fuel cell development for electronics is targeted toward the mobile computing market. Passive DMFC have a simpler structure. Passive and active fuel cells have different ranges of power output, requiring the devices to be integrated quite differently. Passive DMFC produces energy around 100mW to 2W, making the fuel cell size much smaller than that of the active type and suitable for use in smaller portable equipment such as cell phones, headsets and digital audio players. 4. What are the target products and markets for passive and active DMFC? Generally speaking, applications that fall under the umbrella of “mobility and wearability,” require passive-type fuel cells. These applications include Bluetooth headsets, cell phones, mobile TV viewers, digital audio players, PDAs and other small handheld electronic devices that require miniaturization. The active type will cover devices such as portable PCs and cordless small home appliances. 5. Why are these fuel cells called "direct"? DMFCs (both active and passive) use methanol as fuel and do not change the chemical structure of methanol by subtracting hydrogen when feeding the fuel into the cell, thus sending methanol "directly" into the cell. 6. What is Toshiba’s advantage over DMFC developed by other companies? Toshiba has several advantages including an ingenious fuel feed for uniform methanol delivery preventing methanol cross-over and a leading-edge DC/DC converter that manages the hybrid system. In addition, Toshiba’s system enables a high concentration of methanol reducing storage space and enabling a smaller fuel tank. 7. When will Toshiba commercialize fuel cells? Toshiba’s first commercialization of a DMFC power source was announced October 21, 2009. The first products are being sold on a limited and regional basis (initially in Japan), followed by wider deployment over time. Frequently Asked Questions about Toshiba Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Technology Page 3 8. When commercialized, will these devices be cost-competitive with battery-powered devices? DMFC has specific advantages which are different from the prospects of rechargeable lithium batteries, so it’s not easy to compare them simply with the cost of lithium batteries. As with most new technologies, initial volumes will be smaller and prices will be higher until economy of scale is achieved. When DMFC enters mass production, Toshiba will introduce these devices at competitive prices such that sufficient cost/performance can be realized to justify their use. 9. Where would someone refill a fuel cell? Fuel cartridge refills will be available for customers at convenience stores, drug stores, airport shops, wireless carriers, E-commerce, OEM websites and other designated commercial outlets. 10. There are several sources of fuel under consideration for fuel cells. Why is Toshiba concentrating its research on methanol fuel cells? What are the advantages of methanol as a fuel source? Liquid methanol is more practical for small devices, in terms of storage and energy density as fuel. Methanol has 5-10 times the theoretical energy density of lithium-ion batteries enabling the DMFC to deliver much longer continuous operation. 11. How long can a fuel cell operate? The length of time a fuel cell can operate varies with the size of the fuel tank or cartridge and the power requirements of the mobile electronics devices. As long as fuel is available, a fuel cell can be expected to deliver continuous operation. 12. Is DMFC considered safe? Toshiba products will meet international standards of IEC, which requires that DMFCs and devices not leak while in use or during storage or transportation. 13. Will future mobile devices use both a fuel cell and a battery? Yes, hybrid solutions are quite promising. The final application for a hybrid may depend on the original equipment design, subsequent system level trade-offs and the end user requirements. 14. Are there organizations addressing issues of standardization and compatibility in fuel cells? The IEC, a multi-national organization that defines industrial standards for electronic devices, consumer products and communications equipment, has established three working groups within its TC105 fuel cell technical committee. The micro fuel cell working groups to consider industrial standards are referred to as WG 8, 9, and 10. Frequently Asked Questions about Toshiba Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Technology Page 4 These Working Groups are tasked with providing customers and manufacturers with standards for Safety (at WG8), Performance (at WG9), and Interchangeability (at WG10). As for compatibility, by establishing WG10, the IEC has brought together a team of experts on micro fuel cells that will focus on setting common guidelines on specifications for micro fuel cell power units and their fuel cartridges. A recognized industrial standard for micro fuel cells will provide users of micro fuel cells with easier access to standardized fuel cartridges designed to fit any type of electronic device and produced by manufacturers around the world. 15. What are the environmental benefits for transferring over to methanol fuel cells as a source of energy? Methanol fuel cells have several environmental benefits: Methanol is a renewable and sustainable energy source. It is derived from natural gas and previously living organisms, such as plants, animals and their by products. Unlike generators that are powered by engines, direct methanol fuel cells do not emit harmful materials such as nitrogen oxides or sulfur oxides. Since the electricity is generated by a chemical reaction, fuel cells do not vibrate or make noise. One fuel cell can be reused over and over again, whereas batteries need to be replaced. Editorial Contacts: Agency Contact: Company Contact Jan Johnson Deborah Chalmers MultiPath Communications Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (714) 633-4008 (408) 526-2454 jan@multipathcom.com Deborah.chalmers@taec.toshiba.com Copyright 10/2009
