Three-member team eye compact fuel cell R&D

KDDI Corp. has announced an agreement with Toshiba Corp. and Hitachi Ltd to cooperate on the R&D of compact fuel batteries used in mobile communication devices, such as mobile telephone handsets.

The research will cover areas such as miniaturization, ease of use and all technical considerations required for incorporating the batteries into mobile phones. Plans are to complete an external, battery-charger type model within 2004, and complete a mobile phone built-in model by the end of 2005.

The three companies are already actively participating in national and international standardization and deregulation efforts related to fuel cell technology.