Apple eyes fuel cell-powered computing devices - report

Dec 23, 2011 - US technology group Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is exploring the potential of fuel cell systems to replace the batteries in laptops and other electronic devices, AppleInsider reported Thursday.

The company has filed two patent applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office -- "Fuel Cell System to Power a Portable Computing Device" and "Fuel Cell System Coupled to a Portable Computing Device". The use of fuel cells will allow Apple to make smaller and lighter devices, which could go for days without refueling, the report said.

Still, there are many challenges ahead of the US firm, which has to invent both portable and cost-effective hydrogen fuel cells.

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