Battery could give laptops 20-hour life

Motorola has developed a miniature fuel cell that could dramtically increase battery life for laptop computers, cellular phones and other devices.

Motorola scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory used liquid methanol to power the cells, which last up to 10 times longer than existing rechargeable batteries. Liquid methanol, a wood alcohol, is also used in windshield wiper fluid.

The miniature cells each measure about 1" square and are less than one-tenth of an inch thick. They use a reservoir of inexpensive methanol that produces electricity when combined with the oxygen in the air.

The story is posted at www.zdnn.com .