Intelligent Energy working on fuel cell powered iPhone 6

A British technology company, Intelligent Energy is said to be working on revolutionary project that’ll revolutionize digital world, especially portable devices.

The company claims to have manufactured a prototype iPhone 6 that is fitted with a fuel cell besides normal battery. The fuel cell can power the phone for a week without any need for charging. This technology can reduce dependence on grid energy, thus, leading to lesser carbon footprint.

The company has made no changes in the phone design except a small vent for release of small amounts of water as vapor and heat as waste.

Present prototype is refueled via the headphone socket. For commercial model, company is working on a cartridge design, which is small enough to fit into smartphone alongside the battery. The price of the cartridge is not decided yet, but according to the company, it can create a market worth £300 billion per year. For refueling mechanism, company has acquired patents from French lighter maker Bic.

An app will keep user informed regarding the levels of fuel cell in order to ensure timely replacement of cartridge. In a way, it’s like reload a gun with magazine after removing the empty one.

While denying the reports of collaboration with iPhone, Henri Winand, chief executive of Intelligent Energy commented, “We have now managed to make a fuel cell so thin we can fit it to the existing chassis without alterations and retaining the rechargeable battery. This is a major step because if you are moving to a new technology you have to give people a path they are comfortable with.”

Telegraph also reported to have seen the prototype fuel cell iPhone at Intelligent Energy’s Loughborough headquarters.

Company’s corporate finance chief believes that the dream of fuel cell powered smartphone might take a couple of years before it actually land in market.