Stockholm, Sweden – Swedish manufacturer MyFC is launching
at International CES the PowerTrekk, a fuel-cell charger that uses plain tap
water to charge mobile devices.
The PowerTrekk features a planar passive fuel-cell design
that converts hydrogen into electricity.
PowerTrekk is both a portable battery pack and fuel cell.
The portable battery pack can be operated on its own as a ready source of power
or storage buffer for the fuel cell. The fuel cell enables instant charging
from a depleted battery state without needing a wall charge. A user simply
inserts a fuel pack, called a PowerPukk, and adds water to the fuel tray. The
portable device then connects to the PowerTrekk via a USB port with
interchangeable tips.
One charge is equal to 4 watt hours, which is comparable to
charging one smartphone battery, the company said.
“PowerTrekk gives your mobile phone power anywhere at any
time”, commented Björn Westerholm, CEO of MyFC. “From now on, you do not have
to rely on having an electricity grid nearby.”
MyFC specializes in the development of a proton exchange
membrane fuel cell, also known as a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. To
operate, hydrogen must be supplied to the fuel cell, and the fuel cell must be
exposed to the open air. The only byproduct from the fuel cell is a little
water vapor.
MyFC’s manufacturing technology uses foil materials and
adhesives to form flexible proprietary FuelCellStickers, which can be
efficiently produced in a roll-to-roll, high-volume manufacturing process,
Westerholm said. The resulting FuelCellSticker assembly is relatively low in
cost, and also application flexible. The FuelCellStickers form a flexible
assembly less than 2.75mm thick.
“PowerTrekk has a competitive edge over traditional portable
chargers. Fuel-cell power is generated immediately and charging is not impacted
by weather or the position of the sun, as for solar panels. Compared with
battery-powered travel chargers, PowerTrekk offers reliable charging as the
fuel packs do not deplete as batteries do,” said Westerholm.
MyFC will demonstrate the PowerTrekk in booth 72558 at
, in Venetian Hall D, level 2. Pricing has not been announced.
The company will also be exhibiting its customizable Blade fuel-cell
assembly designed for the OEM market. Application engineers will be on hand to
discuss the integration of the Blades on to the front or back covers, lids,
bottoms and sides of mobile devices.
