This technology can now make it possible to develop fuel cells that have almost the same volume but a longer lifespan than lithium-ion batteries, the company claims.

Sharp says it will promote further research and development for the practical application of fuel cells for mobile equipment such as PDAs, electronic dictionaries, and notebook computers.

DMFCs have a simple structure in which power is generated through a chemical reaction between methanol supplied directly to the power generation part and oxygen in the air, making them suitable for miniaturisation.

However, says the report, there are some problems that need to be solved, such as their low power density that increases the size of the power generation part and, as a result, increases the total cell volume.
Sharp says it has improved power density per unit volume and achieved the world's highest level, 0.3W/cc (about 7 times greater than previous Sharp technology).

In the future says the company, through continuing to pursue the development of this elemental technology, cell volume can be further miniaturised, and the creation of cells with the same volume but a longer lifespan than the currently mainstream lithium-ion batteries can be achieved.