Micro fuel cell commercialization of the road: broken cocoon into a butterfly in progress
In recent years there have been the company announced the launch of products for the portable micro fuel cell prototype, the industry had expected in 2004, “in 2006 could be the same as the purchase of ordinary dry batteries, in the supermarket to buy methanol fuel box Canon BG-E2N Battery Grip.” - 2006 is over half, although some of the fuel cell manufacturers to achieve a small amount of production, but from the desire to still have a long way to go. However, more and more clear is this: technology, continuous improvement, public awareness of the depth as well as from government support, are to accelerate the commercialization of micro fuel cell process, is now bursting from the cocoon into a butterfly stage, a comprehensive take-off just around the corner.
Fuel cells in portable applications market, the prospects for attracting a number of machine manufacturers and consumer’s attention.
Market research firm NanoMarkets said that 2006 was a “key year”, the application of micro fuel cells is significantly accelerated, the company expects the market in 2009 will reach 1.1 billion. Start-up company PolyFuel’s president and chief executive officer JimBalcom more optimistic about the claim that their products cost-effective enough to attract customers, bulk distribution channels have also been ready, “a huge backlog of demand” is being developed.
OEM manufacturers have seen the benefits of fuel cells. Portable battery time is increasing as the function and diminishing, which will seriously affect the user experience. Samsung presented in a seminar, if we continue to use the existing battery to provide high-speed multimedia applications, the future 4G mobile phone talk time less than 30 minutes, now parts of Asia 3G handset talk time is less than 60 minutes. How to do? In the lithium-ion battery development potential limited circumstances, some of OEM Canon BG-E3 Battery Grip manufacturers and fuel cell developers are using alliances to try to solve the “energy gap” problem.
Such as Samsung recently announced a partnership with start-up company MTIMicroFuelCells formed an exclusive alliance. Under the agreement, which will provide the next generation of Samsung’s mobile business development for fuel cell prototype. MTIMicro of DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) technology, known as “Mobion”, has been selected as the Samsung range of handsets and mobile phone accessories supply. The two sides will join hands for a variety of mobile application development, testing and evaluation of Mobion technology. If these agreements can be successful, both sides intend to continue to cooperate in the signing of an agreement product commercialization.
Other companies are also seeking alliances in the field of fuel cells. Tekion last year, another giant Motorola Inc. made a strategic investment, which is also a mix of product development for mobile fuel cells and emerging battery technology start-ups. Of course, the fuel cell is not pleased everyone. Just like the Nokia announced last year that “at least the next few years will no longer develop mobile phones using fuel cells.” The company said that to give up because of the development of the technology is not yet mature. However, Nokia did not negate the possibility of future use of this technology. Its spokesman said, “Fuel cell technology has great potential, we will continue to pay close attention to its development.”
In addition to start-up companies, established companies are also actively involved in fuel cell development. If you look at the development of various regions of the world situation, you can draw some interesting results. Engaged in fuel cell research in North America the largest number of firms, in part because many organizations are willing to split into a new company. And partly because (especially in the United States) attaches great importance to military applications, as it can get a lot of research and development funds Canon BG-E5 Battery Grip. Most companies in the region’s strategy is to develop fuel cells for military use, then it is converted to civilian use.
At present, the Japanese companies in the fuel cell-powered electronic products is a clear leader. A number of new and old companies are active in the development of fuel cells and related technologies, mainly for mobile phones or laptop computer, or both. Other regions mainly by China, Taiwan and Korea, the composition of the fuel cell developers, portable applications in these areas is mainly for electronic products and equipment for development of larger fuel cells.
Overall, the fuel cell R & D competition is in the white-hot stage. Established companies and start-ups on the same stage and dance in their efforts and the market will pave the way to promote large-scale commercial-oriented path.
Continue to enhance the level of technology
In all types of fuel cells, DMFC and proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is more suitable for portable applications, particularly in the former. At present, micro fuel cell R & D focus is to further reduce the electro-catalyst - precious metals platinum usage, as well as through improved electrolyte membrane to control the methanol permeability (methanol through the electrolyte membrane fuel cells led to the phenomenon of performance degradation). To improve both the main role is to reduce costs Canon BG-E6 Battery Grip, extend the use of time and improve output power.
To date, PEMFC and DMFC cathode and anode is still effective platinum-based catalyst. Since platinum is expensive, resource-poor, resulting in high costs and greatly limits its widespread application. In this way, reduce the amount of platinum to seek cheaper alternatives or to improve the catalyst performance as electrode catalyst for the main objective of the study.
In the second session of the International Exhibition of hydrogen fuel cells, Sumitomo 3M introduced for PEMFC applications, reduction of platinum use of “nano-structured films (NSTF)” technology. By the use of positive and negative total platinum fell 0.12mg/cm2, the company said its “technology has established a practical goal.” In this new technology, platinum support material used in organic pigments, rather than the carbon Su. Similar to the carpet surface of the pile with the same tentacles, tentacles attached to a platinum catalyst around. Sumitomo 3M said it would increase the electrochemical activity of the consumption of platinum is only a fraction of the normal usage.
The same show, ActaSpA the company exhibited the available ethanol fuel powered fuel cells. Company’s fuel cell is characterized by movement of protons can not use cation-exchange membrane, but the use of anion exchange membrane. A very side of the fuel, ethanol, and OH anions produce carbon dioxide, water and electronics, it is in the air very side of the oxygen and water, and e-generated negative ions. The whole process with the DMFC bipolar response is different.
The fuel cell can be used in the fuel polar iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni), can be used in the air Canon EOS 20D Battery Grip very iron, cobalt catalyst to successfully avoid the use of platinum. From the power density, fuel pumps and fans do not use the passive-type products, allegedly up to 55mW/cm2. The company is also optimistic that, by improving the electrolyte membrane and catalyst diffusion layer adhesive will be able to reach now two times more power.
Shortcomings is that, due to the high reactivity and therefore require a very side of the air temperature high enough and adhesives durability of improvement. In addition, the fuel used in a very easy-to-nickel catalyst mixed electrolyte membrane, leaving the fuel and air very very short-circuit, therefore it must seek to avoid nickel-saturated solution of countermeasures. Improvements in DMFC electrolyte membrane is another hot spot. By controlling the methanol permeability, the use of fuel cells can be extended time and increase output power.
Kuraray (Kuraray) the company’s recently introduced for the DMFC hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane. The company said the original fluorinated electrolyte membrane compared to methanol permeability can be reduced by 40% and the maximum output power can be increased to 1.6 times. Coca-Cola Korea said its hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane using the thermoplastic resin through the electrolyte membrane surface chemical treatment, the “nano-scale level of hydrogen ion channel control of this structure.” So that they can not be the methanol molecules hydrogen ions ( protons) can, through, which means reducing the methanol permeability while increasing the transmittance of hydrogen ions. In addition, the company did not disclose other details. Kuraray plans to begin in 2008 for the electrolyte membrane fuel cell to carry out business through the electrolyte membrane / electrode composite Canon EOS 30D Battery Grip (MEA) in the form of start sales.
Another company, Noritake (Noritake) introduction of the electrolyte membrane to reduce methanol permeability in the data seem quite attractive: the company’s publicity stunt, and the University of Tokyo, the outcome of the joint development of a new electrolyte membrane DMFC methanol permeability can be reduced to The original 3.3% ~ 6.6%.
Noritake said its electrolyte membrane is characterized by the use of containing alumina and zirconia porous inorganic materials. Filled in the hole in the monomer (Monomer), and make in-house aggregation. Polymerization in the porous material made of the formation of hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte. The company explained that the use of inorganic materials can reduce the penetration of methanol and hydrogen, owing to the resilience of smaller inorganic materials able to physically inhibit electrolyte water swelling.
Although still based on those prevailing represented DuPont fluorinated electrolyte membrane, but the new film after the fat can not be underestimated, in the fuel cell market will be fully launched in early stage technology advances will lead to more variable, perhaps “If suddenly the night wind, the Trees 10000 Pear Tree to open,” fuel cells spread in the market, a result of a technological breakthrough and a rapid increase.
Hybrid power supply is still the market entry point
In addition to high efficiency, energy saving, environmental protection than is conducive to the success of fuel cells is an important factor is that it can be used in conjunction with traditional batteries, without having to completely replace it. “Supplementary” means the use of two kinds of hybrid technology, fuel cells, batteries or use the conventional Canon EOS 40D Battery Grip charging capacity, which is a lot of companies started to take a market entry point for this strategy now appears in an ongoing.
For example, a unit of Samsung Group, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) recently announced that it has developed the use of fuel cells for mobile phone charger and PDA a size fuel cells. This is the first public SAIT chargers for portable terminals and special small-scale fuel cartridge, which is mainly used as a portable charger can watch digital TV mobile phone products such as portable power, its power of 1.3W, the output voltage of 3.5 V, belonging to non-use of assist devices such as fuel supply pump of the passive DMFC. New Products Fuel box capacity 10ml, into the box 100% of the concentration of methanol. A fuel cartridge to charge 2.5 times as an ordinary mobile phone. SAIT also shows the PDA a fuel cell body, which also uses the same charger, and portable fuel cells and fuel cells.
In the earlier, Medis Technologies has announced in the summer of 2006 listed a one-time small-scale fuel cells. The company late last year announced a partnership with EMS giant Celestica (Celestica) production of fuel cell companies to cooperate. Medis one-time small-scale fuel cells, as a portable charger for mobile devices to use. The company intended to co-operation with Celestica to build a fuel cell system of mass production. Its called “PowerPack” The fuel cell is aimed at cell phones, digital cameras, PDA, MP3 players, portable game consoles such as the charge. “PowerPack” a different and DMFC fuel using a boron-hydrogen compounds.
Recently, the company also announced the launch of its charger for notebooks fuel cell prototype, the new product can provide 15W and above, 12V stable power supply, a single battery can provide more than 12 hours of usage time. Look, Medis charger as a starting point will be in the order of their Canon EOS 300D Battery Grip way for some time.
Coincidentally, Panasonic and Medis released almost at the same time, another fuel cell for notebook computers. The product is DMFC, reported an average power of 13W, up to 20W, the company said: “The new products use a higher precision speed control of fuel supply, reduce the methanol permeability and so on. Over the past relative to supply samples of amount, only about 50% of methanol involved in the reaction. and the samples were methanol can be used to supply about 80%. ”
Similarly, in response to the workload of the notebook volatility in the structure also used the small-capacity lithium-ion rechargeable battery as a buffer. To this end is equipped with power control circuitry. Based power control circuit consists of DC / DC boost converter circuits and other components, the boost the efficiency of allegedly in excess of 95%. There is no doubt that, if you want in the short term commercial, stand-alone applications of fuel cells need to raise.
Solar cell industry, “puffiness”?
Currently across the country despite more than 60 production lines of solar photovoltaic cells, but the real heart sink in to do research and development, and truly master the core technology, integrated technology, few companies.
Solar cells “fire” of the.
“Fire” in Wuxi Suntech Power Co., when the family Shi Zhengrong jumped aboard the express train of the New York Stock Exchange, “Mainland China’s richest man” after.
“Fire” was just 6 years in the industry grew by 40 times the number of companies Canon EOS 350D Battery Grip in just six years in the industry jumped 200 times the capacity.
But the “fire” behind, but it is raw materials, key technologies and equipment by more than 90% of imports and output of solar photovoltaic cells rely on exports for more than 90% of the “two out.”
“Virtual fire” surged, raising concerns over: solar photovoltaic cells, will become a few years ago, refrigerator manufacture, color TV manufacturing, as was initially blossom everywhere, “puffiness” powerless?
Flourishes reminder expansion
In a sense, is Shi Zhengrong flourishes gave birth to the expansion of domestic enterprises to invest in solar energy passion.
Beijing December 14, 2005, Wuxi Suntech Power Co., Ltd. in the United States New York Stock Exchange, becoming the first landing of the Chinese private enterprises New York Stock Exchange. January 10, 2006, Suntech intraday stock price briefly broke through 30 U.S. dollars to close at 29.3 U.S. dollars. Thus, in 2001 40 million in cash and 1.6 million U.S. dollars to form Suntech’s Share of Shi Zhengrong, Suntech to 6800 million of the shares of 1.99 billion U.S. dollars worth of money, became “Mainland China’s richest man.”
Wealth of myth-driven “herding” instantly, on the New York Stock Exchange after the successful landing of Suntech, the domestic many enterprises launched competing solar photovoltaic cells, or expansion projects:
Nanjing, China Sunergy Co., Ltd. in 2005 completed the first phase investment of 30 million U.S. dollars, 23 plans for a further six production lines, the total annual output of 300 megawatts of solar cell production capacity;
Baoding Tianwei Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd. by the end of 2005 to complete Canon EOS 400D Battery Grip the second phase expansion project is expected to produce 500 megawatts in 2008 to form the production capacity;
Suntech long-term goal is to achieve 1,000 MW by 2010, production capacity;
In Shanghai, all belong to its main production line of solar photovoltaic cells, respectively in Minhang, Songjiang, Fengxian District, three new or expansion … …
, One of the earliest solar — Shanghai Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd. General Manager of Xiao Yuan remember very clear: in 2000 the company started up, there are only 5 solar energy companies, a total of five production lines, with a total investment of no more than 500 million yuan, a total capacity of 5 megawatts. As at the end of 2006, the country engaged in solar photovoltaic cell production of large and small enterprises have more than 200 production lines more than 60, with a total investment of at least 10 billion yuan. Is expected that in 2008 domestic solar cell production capacity of 2,000 megawatts.
What is the concept? 2005, the world’s total output of solar cells does not exceed 1800 MW, the world’s largest capacity of the country, but Japan’s annual production capacity of 1,000 megawatts. Just six years, China has cultivated a “world first.”
“2 out” high-risk
The surface of prosperity, the risk of hidden huge industry.
Solar photovoltaic cell industry chain, including raw materials high purity crystalline silicon, silicon wafers, solar cells and battery components of four links, the majority of domestic enterprises to enter is located in the back-end solar cells and modules production processes, while the main raw material for crystalline silicon production technology, now firmly in the United States, Japan, Germany and a few other countries in the hands, more than 90% of domestic enterprises to rely on imports; sales Canon EOS 450D Battery Grip, the current major market for solar cells is still Europe and the United States, Japan, and domestic enterprises of photovoltaic products 90 % of sold abroad. China International Capital Corporation in a research report pointed out that the photovoltaic industry: At present, two (of raw materials and products) outside of the Chinese PV industry, more like a processing plant on behalf of foreign enterprises, Chinese enterprises in the global industrial chain in the low position .
Crystalline silicon is highly dependent on overseas raw material supply, resulting in domestic solar PV industry in the global industrial chain is located in the most downstream in the global market bargaining power, the profit can not be guaranteed. According to statistics, in 2004 the international market price of polysilicon materials, less than 40 U.S. dollars per kilogram, up to 2005 due to the huge demand for China’s industry, worldwide polysilicon price rose to 100 U.S. dollars per kilogram, and now it is every kg less than 200 U.S. dollars to buy. Polysilicon prices continue to rise, but the international market, the export price of solar photovoltaic cells has remained basically unchanged, resulting in domestic solar PV enterprises generally lower gross profit margin, while the number of new production companies are often confronted with the date of production of raw materials a shortage of “bricks without straw.”
90% of sales markets overseas, led to production of solar cell production capacity surplus of worry. Chinese Solar Energy Society relevant responsible person said that in 2007 the German market will be supply and demand balance, the U.S. photovoltaic production self-sufficiency in a small surplus after, another giant Japanese photovoltaic production has remained strong exports. At that time China’s solar photovoltaic cells to whom? The domestic market? However, due to the high cost of solar power, solar power so far in the country also are “demonstration projects” stage, according to China’s “long-term development of renewable energy planning,” in 2020, the domestic photovoltaic power generation goals set forth only 200 MW. Compared with more than 2,000 megawatts of domestic capacity, this demand is too small. By inference, the absence of relevant supporting policy support, China’s solar photovoltaic cell industry by 2007, will have to face the risk of overcapacity.
Profit-oriented “virtual fire” wang
Solar photovoltaic cell industry was originally a high-tech industry Canon EOS 500D Battery Grip, Taiwan’s number of new enterprises do not have the professional background, to be launched in the shortest possible time production, in the shortest possible time to achieve a profit, these industries is not the slightest basis for selection of companies unanimously the introduction of foreign complete production lines. Currently across the country despite more than 60 production lines of solar photovoltaic cells, but the real heart sink in to do research and development, and truly master the core technology, integrated technology, few companies, most new enterprises are readily available to foreign equipment and technology Take over the use.
Such symptoms, we are familiar —
80s of last century, due to the improvement of living conditions of citizens, domestic refrigerators became a hot demand, many domestic enterprises have imported refrigerator production line, and for a refrigerator assembly line nearly a thousand of the country; the last century, 90 years, universal coverage, TV, domestic enterprises are once again the introduction of color TV assembly line one after another, hundreds of color TV production line horse; also the subsequent washing machines, air-conditioning, and then later DVD … … to introduce the beginning of each line is a sensation, and blossom everywhere, and finally most of them underemployed, product backlog, the price ending strife. More deadly, the international technology on these industries, and many a time when the introduction of complete sets of production lines is that others out of the day, the project has not yet opened on the doomed building in the international market, a step behind or even the fate of being enslaved.
A lesson, too numerous to mention —
As the production of color TV’s most populous nation, but a long time do not have their own core technology, domestic enterprises, foreign enterprises can only be followed in the footsteps of now, just the introduction of a color picture tube production line, someone has started to promote Canon EOS 1000D Battery Grip plasma and LCD TV; 1:00 of the DVD industry has been busy, first encountered anti-dumping export price barrier, followed by patents of foreign enterprises fall into the trap, and now seriously weakened; sight along with TFT-LCD (liquid crystal display) industry, the domestic enterprises to introduce 5th-generation production line has just been a firm heel, foreign giants 7th generation 8th generation of products have been off the assembly line … …
Specifically to Shanghai, the higher cost of doing business enterprises in Shanghai decided there is no reason to fight with other provinces and cities in size, on better talent and technical resources to determine the enterprises in Shanghai can take the path of independent innovation in research and development, to explore with independent intellectual property rights technology. Belong to the Electrical and Mechanical Aerospace (10.22,0.03,0.29%) Group of Shanghai Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd., in recent years made attempts in this regard, their own research and development production of solar photovoltaic cells encapsulated devices become the preferred solar cell manufacturers, the company plans to produce in 2008 to replace the whole set of foreign equipment, solar cell production lines.
Under the current system, state-owned enterprises is often assumed the important task of research and development ahead of industry technology, while technological innovation and breakthrough in the need to pool resources. At present, Shanghai solar PV cell manufacturing scattered in several enterprises, including Shanghai Environment Group and Shanghai Electric Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd. is one of only two state-owned enterprises, the former longer than the market expansion, which is longer than technology development. In the industry have suggested that if it is possible to break the threshold of the two different departments to join hands in fostering solar photovoltaic cells of this sunrise industry’s core competitiveness?
Consumers: either high prices or inferior goods difficult to get the confidence of Haikou mobile phone batteries
Where to buy a mid-range quality and trusted mobile phone batteries do? Chen, Haikou recently encountered this problem. Yesterday morning, the reporter found, Haikou mobile phone mobile phone batteries on the market are mostly more than 20 yuan a low-end Nikon D40 Battery Grip, while the price of seven or 80 yuan a mid-range batteries hard to find but disappeared.
Industry sources deeper meaning is: this is the fault of the profit.
Consumers: Buy good quality mid-range mobile phone batteries too difficult
Recently, Mr. Chen told reporters in Haikou reflect their own cell phone battery life and not easy to use due to close, he wanted to buy a price of 70,80 yuan of mid-range of domestic well-known brand mobile phone battery can be traveled to a number of cell phone stores in Haikou , Mr. Chen can see are mostly sold at more than 20 yuan or so cell phone batteries. Many of them are no name and address of the three non-product. In addition, while a few hundred dollars is a dynamic import original mobile phone batteries. Mr. Chen told reporters that his cell phone worth 2,000 yuan, a few hundred dollars to buy a battery, he felt very uneconomical. However, there is no quality assurance buy a low-end mobile phone batteries, and felt heavy hidden.
Investigation by the reporter: the market long and almost invisible in the high-end mobile phone batteries
15, the journalists Haikou mobile phone batteries on the market investigation. Zhongshan Road in Tainan in the telecommunications in the city, a salesperson told reporters want to buy the Nokia 2210 cell phone batteries to hand out from under the counter of a battery, told reporters that the battery price of 25 yuan. To purchase a section reporters that more well-known domestic brand mobile phone battery, the salesperson is no. “There is not Nokia original batteries it imports?” Reporter asked. Salesperson said no, she was advised Reporter: Import an original mobile phone batteries more than 100 yuan, there is no need to buy so expensive batteries, the batteries of these 25 yuan is also good. Later in the Haikou Yoshitatsu Road, Hoi Sau Road and other sections of the cell phone store and found quite a lot of marketing or the price of two and thirty dollars low-end mobile phone Nikon D40X Battery Grip, these batteries rough bear, packaging, there is no warranty card inside. Only in some cell phone stores where the brand can be seen only a small number of imported mobile phone batteries.
Industry: all the fault of the profit
According to a phone sales person told journalists on the market today is basically the use of mobile phones are the lithium-ion batteries. Currently on the market for sale cell phone batteries, there are four: In addition to original battery, domestic battery brand? Point well-known manufacturers in the mid-range products, that product? Snow, there are a large number of counterfeit brand-name batteries and batteries. The latter two of which occupied most of the percentage, and they just all kinds of mobile phone battery quality complaints and safety incidents culprit. The reason why low-end mobile phone battery become very popular, it’s profits inside the fault. “Selling a 25-odd low-end mobile phone batteries, profits 15 yuan or more, and selling a mid-range of domestic well-known brands of mobile phone batteries, profits not so much. So In contrast, the operators like to sell more low-end the battery. resulted in low-end mobile phone batteries in the market on the platform.
Business sector: selective low-end mobile phone batteries
It is understood, with the growth of mobile phone users in recent years, and battery-related complaints growing mobile phone battery exploded, burning or stabbing incident is to occur. To this end China Consumer Association and China have jointly issued CTTL consumer alert to remind consumers to guard against counterfeit mobile phone batteries. The Consumer Association said that although in recent years, steady improvement in the quality of mobile phone batteries, but battery assault incidents occurred remains unabated, The reason, the culprit is still fake batteries. In the low-end mobile phone battery most likely a mixture of fake and shoddy DSLR Battery Grip, Digital Camera Battery, consumers are not careful they cheated a little to give itself a security risk.
