Medis Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:MDTL) has received approval from the United States Patent Office covering a system and a method for refilling a fuel cell with fuel and electrolyte.
The patent is issued to its subsidiary, More Energy Ltd., and consists of 117 Claims.
In the Medis invention, the fuel cell is able to be refilled in a matter of seconds by a movable fuel container which simultaneously injects fresh fuel and extracts the spent fuel. The same system can also be used to replace the fuel cell’s electrolyte. The invention embodies a totally different approach than the refueling cartridge used in traditional direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC), which continuously sits in the fuel cell dripping methanol into the fuel cell system. The patented Medis refueling method obviates the need for the fuel cartridge to sit in the system as a constant part of the system, saving size, weight, complexity and cost. “This patent covers a very important element in our fuel cell technology,” said Robert K. Lifton, Chairman and CEO of Medis Technologies Ltd. “Our current Power Pack product to charge portable electronic devices, planned to be in retail outlets starting in the last quarter of this year, is a disposable product, reflecting the desires expressed by our potential customers. However, the more powerful future fuel cell products for uses such as a universal charger for portable devices including laptops and for stand-by power generators for home and office are all planned to be refuelable.”
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