A British company called Intelligent Energy has created what it purports to be the world’s first hydrogen-powered battery that could be integrated into smartphone devices. The company, which boasts a wealth of experience over the last two decades within energy research and development roles, has created a functioning prototype of its revolutionary battery technology. It has reportedly been integrated into an Apple iPhone 6, utilizing the headphone socket as a refuel port for the required hydrogen.
The working iPhone 6 prototype is said to have been developed as part of a close working relationship with Apple, with both companies seemingly excited to explore potential possibilities for dramatically improving the battery life within smartphones. The unique prototype contains a standard rechargeable battery as well as Intelligent Energy’s own patented technology, which creates its magic charging capabilities by fusing together hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, the byproduct of which, is a relatively small amount of heat and water.
What’s interesting about this particular breakthrough is that not only has the company worked with Apple to produce a fuel cell system that could see an iPhone last for a week without needing a recharge, but it’s also managed to achieve that without requiring any physical dimensional amendment to the device. In fact as far as the prototype goes, the only visual difference between it and a retail iPhone 6, are a few vents on the rear of the device that allow for an extremely slight amount of water vapor that is created by the chemical reaction, to escape.
Henri Winand, chief executive of Intelligent Energy, is naturally enthusiastic about what his company has been able to achieve whilst working alongside the iPhone manufacturer.
We have now managed to make a fuel cell so thin we can fit it to the existing chassis without alterations and retaining the rechargeable battery. This is a major step because if you are moving to a new technology you have to give people a path they are comfortable with.
Whether or not this innovative technology makes it onto marketable devices is another story entirely, and for now there’s no official word on whether or not Apple is currently considering plans to include this technology in future iPhone devices, but we don’t see any reason why it could be ruled out either. Intelligent Energy also concedes that the technology will only prove successful if manufacturers show an immediate interest in exploring the possibilities.
(Source: The Telegraph)
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