HydroPak Rolls Out Consumer-Level Fuel Cell Technology

Making waves at CES are two companies, Horizon Fuel Cell and Millennium Cell, that are showing off a variety of fuel cell technologies with a twist.

The HydroPak looks like any typical emergency battery, with a three-prong 110-volt outlet and two USB ports ready to charge up your gadgets. It puts out 50 watts peak and 25 watts continuously, with a total of 350 watt-hours available.

But inside is not the usual lead-acid battery. Instead it's a fuel cell, one recharged, in part, by regular water. Don't get too excited. Contrary to some published reports, the HydroPak doesn't run on water alone. You still have to buy cartridges that have a small amount of chemical inside them. You fill the remaining space in the cartridge with water, which activates the fuel cell.

Depending on the laptop, 350 watt-hours is good for up to 10 full charges. The base HydroPak unit, when it's released, will cost $400. Cartridges, which are not reusable, will run $20 each.

(Sadly I didn't get to see this specific model in action; the company was expecting it to arrive at its booth this evening. It looks a bit like a small suitcase.)

Also on display: A tiny fuel cell using a mix of 10 percent vodka and 90 percent water, powering a small fan. Not something you're likely to see at Best Buy, but fun nonetheless.