Unit will replace pair of AA batteries
Jim Jamieson
Province
The Angstrom Power fuel cell that replaces a pair of AA batteries is about the size of a walnut
Angstrom Power couldn’t have chosen a better product to showcase for its micro fuel cell than a tiny, super-bright bike headlamp.
The technology is green — as are most committed cyclists — and, let’s face it, what gadget-happy yuppie wouldn’t love to be the first on the block to brag about owning a hydrogen-powered anything.
In fact, Angstrom, a North Vancouver company that is internationally known for its micro fuel cell technology, has just begun a trial program with 10 of its own employees to use the fuel cell powered LED light for commutes to and from work.
Taking the place of two AA batteries is a teensy fuel cell about the size of a walnut, which provides 300 milliwatts of power for about 20 hours. The 13.5 gram fuel cell is powered by a small cartridge that holds about one gram of hydrogen, the cost of which is about 15 cents. The fuel cartridge is refillable to 90 per cent in about two minutes.
Angstrom (www.angstrompower.com) says the units are for sale, which would be the company’s first, although they are coy about how much they would cost.
Even so, Angstrom spokeswoman Annalise Czerny said the aim of the company is to put fuel cell technology increasingly in the public eye and plans a series of trial programs for a fuel cell powered flashlight, headlamp and possibly other devices with Vancouver International Airport, University of Victoria and North Shore Search and Rescue.
“We’ll get some experience of how users handle the product and how it would work with consumers,” she said.
Angstrom sees the final vision as home-based chargers or charging stations at Starbucks so you can top up your mobile while buying a latte.
Angstrom will target fleet organizations, which can have a central spot for refuelling by 2007.
After that the plan is to be in the commercial stream by 2008, going after the cellphone market, which is potentially the most lucrative because of its sheer size but also the most challenging due to shrinking form factors.
Just as with fuel cell powered autos, the infrastructure puzzle is key to commercial adoption.
Without it, pricing can’t come down because there is no mass production.
“The first cellphones we had cost hundreds of dollars,” said Czerny.
“By targeting this segment of users, where there is an obvious need, they are willing to pay a high premium. It will get consumers used to hydrogen, to seeing how it works.”
© The Vancouver Province 2005
