While fuel cell chargers are not exactly new, MTI Micro claims this is the first one to feature swappable cartridge capability. Some other similar devices require you turn in empty packs to avail new ones or have cartridges refilled with methanol for use. Fuel cell maker MTI Micro has reached another milestone, by developing a prototype of a fuel cell charger that has a removable cartridge. The fuel cell can charge consumer electronics like cell phones and MP3 players for about 25 hours of use and when the fuel is all used up, the cartridge is removed and replaced with a new one; this means the consumer does not have to refill the cartridge manually. MTI is probably spot-on in its assessment that the cartridge will likely be the more popular way to operate the fuel cell in the mobile world. These fuel cell chargers are targeting people who are on the go and would carry an extra cartridge in their bag as a backup.

We are not sure how much MTI’s cartridges will cost, but MTI’s CEO Peng Lim previously told us that a refill would cost “less than a cup of coffee."

Via