Fuel Cells To Start Powering PDAs, Laptops In 2005
MFCs promise more ongoing power than the current generation of batteries and are expected to be more easily recharged. However, the technology is new and many questions remain, the study noted. As a result of those uncertainties, MFCs will power only between 10 and 15 percent of laptops by 2012, according to the study.

"Not everything is a bed of roses in the micro fuel sector," Atakan Ozbek, the studies author, said in a statement. "Most of the information that comes from companies is still not verifiable due to the emerging nature of the technology. This makes it hard to evaluate the sector's true status."

Still, a small number of devices powered by MFCs could appear in 2005, the study predicted. However, for that to happen, vendors must prove this year that refueling is easy and inexpensive. Even at that, according to the report, MFC-powered devices should not number more than a couple of thousand in 2005, according to the study.

The refueling model has worked with other technologies, such as cartridges for inkjet printers and even ejectable razor blades, the study noted.
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