UltraCell demonstrated a new type of rechargeable fuel cell at IDF today. The XX25 runs on methanol, is able to power a standard notebook PC for up to two working days!

Powered by a reformed methanol fuel cell technology, the UltraCell XX25 (PDF brochure) is a pre-production unit designed for the military. Beta testing of the XX25 will begin mid-year, and a commercial version, the UltraCell UC25 could be available by the end of this year. The UltraCell UC25 will run a laptop computer for up to two working days on a single methanol fuel cell cartridge and as these lightweight cartridges are also hot-swappable, the UltraCell systems can run indefinitely without any need for electrical recharging.

In addition, the UltraCell XX25 portable power source for the military will significantly lower the total weight carried by soldiers on extended missions, as well as reduce operational costs through the reduction of throwaway primary batteries and the logistic burden of recharging batteries.

The Army has selected the UltraCell XX25 because it has up to a 70% weight advantage over currently available military rechargeable batteries, based on a 72-hour mission at 20 watts. (Longer missions at higher power levels will show greater improvements.)