Toshiba Actually Launches a Fuel Cell Gadget Charger

I have to admit, when we saw some prototype fuel cell electronics chargers earlier this year, I laughed them off as dream tech that would never be sold on the market. But here’s Toshiba, making me look like a fool with its Dynario fuel-cell for portable gadgets. It’s pretty simple: Grab a fuel cell filled with a mix of methanol and ambient oxygen, and inject it into palm-sized charger, which houses a lithium ion battery. The reaction between the oxygen and methanol creates electricity, in turn powering the battery with enough charge to replenish two cell phones. The Dynario will hook up to anything with a USB jack.

Aside from just being cool conceptually, there are a couple advantages to this system. First, you can charge a device anywhere, with no need for outlets or other energy sources. And unlike solar power, which can take a long time to collect energy, the Dynario’s battery charges fast — 20 seconds after injecting the cell, Toshiba claims. The charger costs the equivalent of $325.62, and a pack of five fuel cells costs roughly $34.42. Not exactly the most affordable tech right now, but Toshiba says it’s going to release the Dynario in a limited edition of 3,000 units. The company will then gauge the reaction of consumers and work on the tech from there. [Toshiba via Engadget]