Taiwanese researchers said yesterday they have developed hydrogen-powered mobile phone chargers, setting the stage for the island to become a major player in green technologies.

The device, called an “energy ball” as it comes in a spherical form no larger than a thumb, can recharge a cellphone battery in two hours simply by connecting the two, according to scientists at the Industrial Technology Research Institute in north Taiwan’s Hsinchu city.

There is no need for a plug as the ball will automatically release hydrogen when submerged in water, said Taiwanese newspapers.

Batteries so recharged could run for two weeks and the costs only about NT$7 (30 Singapore cents), the media said.
“Hydrogen is a recyclable material. The device is energy-efficient and will help protect the environment,” said Mr Tsau Fang-hei, a researcher at the institute.

“We will continue to improve the invention. We hope the hydrogen-powered device can replace current cellphone recharge systems in 2012,” he added.

Mr Ma Hwong-wen, an environmental scientist at the National Taiwan University, said the invention appeared to be breaking new ground. “Hydrogen, in theory, will produce no hazard to the environment,” he said.

Said Mr Yeh Hui-ching, director of the Economics Ministry’s Bureau of Energy: “The government hopes to acquire a place in the global green energy industry’s production chain with the hydrogen fuel cell technologies.”

Source: The Straits Times, Saturday, October 3, 2009