Future iPhones could be hydrogen-powered
While the automobile industry is still working the kinks out of using hydrogen to fuel our daily drivers, a British technology company is claiming to have successfully developed an iPhone, powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The experimental device, built by Intelligent Energy, is a modified iPhone 6, housing its own Apple-designed rechargeable battery, alongside a hydrogen fuel cell capable of powering the iPhone prototype for a week.
Rumors have it of a possible, yet unconfirmed, ongoing collaboration between Apple and Intelligent Energy, although the rumors have been denied by Intelligent Energy’s CEO Henri Winand.
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The odds of Apple potentially being interested in working with Intelligent Energy are looking good, as the British firm claims that its prototype requires no modification of the exterior design of the iPhone, with the exception of small rear vents to allow vapor to escape.
The company’s executives believe that this miniaturized fuel cell design has the potential to tap into a 470 billion dollar market, where the cost per single fuel cell hydrogen refuel would be as low as a Starbucks coffee.
In its current prototype iteration, the refueling process occurs through a modified headphone socket. Future versions of this design are likely to involve a slot cartridge containing a week worth of hydrogen-releasing powder.
While Apple declined to comment on this breakthrough, at least so far, the company is known for keeping a heavy lid on its most exciting plans, as it happened for the Force Touch trackpad, or the terraced battery design for the 12 inch MacBook Retina.
By this token, a quick search through the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office’ website revealed that Apple already owns a patent for hydrogen-powered mobile devices. The patent, titled “Fuel cell system to power a portable computing device” describes a:
“...design of a portable and cost-effective fuel cell system for a portable computing device. This fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which converts fuel into electrical power. It also includes a fuel source for the fuel cell stack and a controller which controls operation of the fuel cell system.”
On such note, while there is never a guarantee that Apple will use anyone specific patented design or technology, it’s undeniable that Intelligent Energy has accomplished a feat that could net Apple a ready-made prototype small enough to power, not only the iPhone, but virtually any portable device made by the company. Furthermore, with Apple’s renewed interest in manufacturing accessories, such as the rumored, but very possible upcoming Force Touch stylus, there is a good chance for Apple to manufacture hydrogen refills, granted an interest in manufacturing hydrogen-powered devices.