We have been thinking of doing this for a long while, you know, writing about next-generation battery technologies for cellies. Well, we’ve just found a shortcut to the topic that covers some of the basics. WWJ watchers will have noted that Fujitsu has just become the latest Japanese IDM to announce a methanol fuel cell replacement for even Hitachi Maxell’s new Lithium Ion option. There is an interesting feature story of the market at NE Asia online.

In many ways, NEC was actually the first Japanese company to cough up a convincing fuel cell option back in February 2003, once Dr. Iijima’s crew decided that carbon nanotubes are actually too fiddly to replace semiconductor transistors until about the year 3000. (We note the WSTS roadmap always seems to pull in scaling targets, while nanotube makers are pushing out the switch to carbon circuits timeframe.) NEC has gone a bit bashful recently about exactly when fuel cells (don’t spill!) get into mobile phones, but they are still plugging away. Take a look at this Nikkei story for a half-decent roundup of what’s happening. We say: “Live Long and Prosper!”

Related posts:

1. Fuel-Cell Mobile Phones for Digital TV
2. KDDI: Fuel Cells in 2007; Where’s NEC?
3. DoCoMo’s Fuel Cell for Mobile Devices
4. KDDI Develops Prototype Fuel-Cell Mobile Phones with Toshiba, Hitachi, Ltd
5. Next Frontier: TV for Mobile Phones

Some sage advise when entering new turf; Stop, Look and Listen.. it’s also good to secure a local guide. Japan is the cradle of mobile civilization – we have been dedicated to this space since 2001 – trust our archives here offer some useful material.

Domestic activities continue to set the pace, and sharp players are looking at global markets. We have hard-earned industry expertise and trusted network of contacts with access to advanced intell. and potential deal flow. Need a lift.. Ok, buckle-up!