Vietnamese people will soon be able to use methanol fuel cells

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese people will soon be able to use methanol fuel cells for lighting, cell phones, computers, bicycles and even cars.

Based on his successful research on manufacturing direct methanol fuel cells
(DMFC), using Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology being conducted in 2004, Dr Nguyen
Manh Tuan from the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology’s Ho Chi Minh
City Institute of Physics has unveiled different types of fuel cells that use
methanol.

A fuel cell can light one 20mW LED bulb for four hours with only 3ml of methanol,
said the experiment, adding that this is equal to other cells that are currently
being used in developed nations.

The fuel cells have been recognised worldwide as having a long life-span, are
easily recycled and using nanotechnology and materials, they cause no harm to the
environment, said Tuan, adding that Vietnam could supply up to 80 percent of
the materials needed to produce the cell.

At present, Tuan and his colleagues are finalising their study to commercialise
this product, to use in mobile phones and laptops, buses and taxis.

Meanwhile, globally famous electronic companies such as NEC, Toshiba, LG, IBM,
Motorola, Ford and General Motors have successfully used fuel cells in their
products.

The world will spend around 3 billion USD on fuel cells in 2011 as they will help
to counter the exhaustion of fuels and help combat global environmental pollution,
said scientists.-Enditem