Hydrogen-Powered Cell Phone Charger to Debut in Taiwan in 2012?

For years, scientists have been working on finding alternative energy sources in the hope of solving the problem of energy crisis. Recently, a group of Taiwanese researchers claimed a success in the field with the invention of a hydrogen based cell phone charger to replace traditional energy supply.

According to the scientists at the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan, the high-tech gadget they developed can operate without being plugged to main electricity. Instead, it uses hydrogen power to recharge a conventional mobile handset battery. They state that the charger can perform a complete charge in approximately two hours, although the kind of battery capacity is not specified.

As hydrogen is easily recyclable, the new device is highly energy-efficient and will help protect the environment. Tsau Fanghei, a researcher at the institute said the team would continue to improve and refine the charger and they "hope the hydrogen-powered device can replace current cell phone recharge systems in 2012", which is just three years from now.

Ma Hwong-wen, an environmental scientist at the National Taiwan University, commented the invention appeared to be breaking new ground. "Hydrogen, in theory, will produce no hazard to the environment," said Ma.

The Taiwanese government has also shown its support to the technology. As an island that imports about 98 percent of its energy, Taiwan is under great pressure to develop new energy sources. In the meantime, this charger will be a key to boost its reputation to become a player in developing green and environmental-friendly power solutions.

"The government hopes to acquire a slot in the global green energy industry's production chain with the hydrogen fuel cell technologies," said Yeh Hui-ching, the Director of the Taiwan’s Bureau of Energy, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency.

The invention of hydrogen fuel chargers represents a big step forward in the field of green mobile technologies. But until their market debut, we still need to rely on those traditional travel chargers, car chargers or solar-powered chargers to juice up our handsets.

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