This sounds wonderful, but I suspect once it hits the TSA's radar, it'll be banned for in-flight use. *sigh* Lighters and any flammable liquid or gas are already banned, and a fuel cell needs fuel.

Do we know what they're using for fuel? Methanol? Ethanol? Butane?

This product uses a sodium borohydride solution for fuel. The electrolyte is liquid KOH (potassium hydroxide).

It is NOT approved for in-flight use.

Alkaline solutions of sodium borohydride are Dangerous Goods Class 8 hazardous materials. Strictly prohibited in the cabin of an airplane.

See all good things get reglated. Sounds good thanks for the help on batterys.

By Medis's own description, what they are selling seems to be a giant battery: a bunch of chemical reactant which, once depleted (which happens whether you are using the PowerPack or not?), you then throw away... so how is this thing not a giant battery?

And am I to understand the reviewer that he brought this on an airplane? Is MyTreo saying you can bring these on airplanes?

Just what we've been looking for!!

The Medis Power Pack is the most convenient power solution for Treo and just about any other portable device you can think of.

We placed large pre-order.

Spare the landfills from yet another disposable product. Use rechargeable batteries instead.

There are many rechargeable battery solutions that offer the same benefit as this product and they can be used hundreds of times before tossing.

The UL 2265C approval on this item requires a toxic labeling per the UL website. How is that green?

Fuel cells do not "dissolve into water" as the writer says. She has no clue what she is writing.

As has been discussed many times before on Medis conference calls, the Medis charger is ok for airplanes; and it flys on airplanes every single day now, since so many have been given away for free as market seeding/evaluation units to potential enterprise customers. The solution is safe; and there are no regulations on chargers on aircraft, as it turns out.

Don't confuse's Medis' very real, in-production product with what has been touted/hyped by many, many companies as 'the portable fuel cell solution": i.e DMFCs (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells). Those DO have a problem; even though they have started down the regulatory path for eventual approvals in airplanes. The biggest hurdle, however, is that they don't exist yet as a product you can buy. 'Everyone' from other microfuel cell companies (e.g, Mechanical Technology; whose quarterly conference call is also tomorrow, as it turns out), to all the big guys like Samsung....not one of them have been able to get a DMFC fuel cell down to size, and to be producible. None are anywhere near being on the market; and their is no guarantee they ever will be, frankly.

Medis' technology is, er, 'double imported'. Russian emigre who took the technology from the old Soviet Union with him to Israel; and now in the hands of New Jersey businessmen. Initial production is out of Israel; full production, by Celestica under contract, will begin shortly in Ireland. Medis is basically the best Russian-Jewish-Israeil-American microfuel cell company around.

If you'd like....Medis' (symbol MDTL) next conference call is tomorrow, May 9th, at 11:00 eastern. Like anyone else you can call in and ask a question in real time (I have, in the past).
The information to join the conference call is here:

http://tinyurl.com/3bj2px

The advantage of the Medis 24/7 over rechargeable batteries is still carrying another charging device in which to put the batteries so that they can power your Treo, and then carrying the battery charger to recharge the batteries...and if you actually have access to the a/c power to do this, it's a moot point.

It's not a giant battery because it's no bigger than a bar of soap.

Medis 24/7 Fuel Cell works, I have used it on my cell phone as well as a Blackberry, this product is ideal for any one who needs power in a remote/outdoor environment.From Home Land Security, to vistors at Disney World when the battery in their cameras runs out and there is no other way to charge it other than Medis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We contacted the company and asked them about the airplane issue. Here is what they said:

"Medis 24/7 Fuel Cell power pack DOES NOT use a flammable fuel such as methanol. The fuel is a proprietary mixture of alcohol and sodium borohydride. The electrolyte is a mixture of KOH ( alkaline) that is completely safe for consumer use. The basis for regulation is safety and the Medis 24/7 Fuel Cell Power Pack meets the safety requirements for consumers under UL 2265C.

Because the company does not have a flammable product, its position is that there is nothing about the product that would not allow you to take it on a plane.

The company is working with the regulatory agencies so that someone at the TSA, not knowing what the product is, will not take it from a consumer. We are confident, that based on the contents of the product, the non flammability of the product ( the fuel is flammable at 250C, lithium-ion batteries are more flammable than this product) that we will receive the formal approval that the product is safe to carry on board.

Over time, the fuel is diluted with water, which is a byproduct of the fuel cell and reclaimed inside the system. The electrolyte is alkaline and remains in the system. Unlike alkaline batteries which are disposed into landfills, there are no heavy metals being discarded into the landfill.

Medis also has a recycling program in place and has approved recyclers. The Medis 24/7 includes a prepaid bag for recycling. Medis is conscious of the environment and encourages recycling of the product and therefore includes the cost of recycling in the product purchase."

Ummmm, the issue isn't flammability - travelers can't bring more than 3oz of ANY liquid, including water, on airplanes!

A waterbottle isn't flammable, you still can't bring it on airplanes!!

I can't believe this website is selling a battery as a fuel cell and offering what amounts to an endorsement by its reviewer that you can bring it on airplanes!!

This is borderline fraudulent, and MyTreo is BOLD to be promoting this!

You can open a water bottle.

I'd be willing to bet you can bring a snowglobe on a plane too.

I guess it shouldn't be a surprise to us that a new technology would create so much emotion in a thread. But don't freak out people: it's just a power supply.

I'm one of the administrators of mytreo.net. To be totally clear, we do not have an opinion about whether the FAA will allow this product on airplanes. That's why we asked the manufacturer about that issue and posted their response above this one in this thread.

When Medis agreed to supply us with a review unit we jumped at the chance because their claims sounded so amazing. Our reviewer tested the product and it worked for her exceptionally well. Our reviewer is totally independent from the store-- she isn't compensated for sales or financially encouraged in any way to promote this.

We do our best to constantly look out for new technologies. We were one of the first companies in America to carry the Virtual Laser Keyboard. We were one of the first websites to cover the wireless charger:

http://mytreo.net/archives/2007/02/wild-charger-does-charge-wirelessly-really.html

It's boring in our opinion to read about stale products. We think it's much cooler to write about new items like this one!

Cheers

Wow! I just ordered the Medis Power Pack, which I have been waiting for this product a long time. You mean I can charge my cell phone or Ipod, and do not have to be near an outlet or in a car? Powerful!! I feel like I'm in the future. My first fuel cell product ever.

Another thought here. This pack would sell really well at an amusement park, where people are using thier cell phones all day without a place to charge them.

What is the shelf life of this item if the fuel cell has not been activated?
-Thanks, in advance...
JC

What is the shelf life of this item if the fuel cell has not been activated?
-Thanks, in advance...
JC

At the moment they are calling it a minimum of a year. They haven't found a time when it doesn't activate, yet. Which to me means....it will outlast any one electronic device. One reason it's good it comes with more than one tip.

Fuel cells are batteries. Fuel goes in, chemical reaction occurs, electricity comes out. The normal difference is that a fuel cell can have more fuel added while batteries would need new anodes & cathodes. This sealed fuel cell breaks that approach and turns it back into a battery.

It's not even a particularly impressive battery. 30 hours of talk time on a Razr requires about 12.8Whrs of power. For the same mass, I can get a 9v/2.5Ah = 22.5Whr battery (http://www.batteries.com/productprofile.asp?appid=315119). Even shaving off some mass for the converter a straight up battery is superior.

Fuel cells are batteries. Fuel goes in, chemical reaction occurs, electricity comes out. The normal difference is that a fuel cell can have more fuel added while batteries would need new anodes & cathodes. This sealed fuel cell breaks that approach and turns it back into a battery.

It's not even a particularly impressive battery. 30 hours of talk time on a Razr requires about 12.8Whrs of power. For the same mass, I can get a 9v/2.5Ah = 22.5Whr battery (http://www.batteries.com/productprofile.asp?appid=315119). Even shaving off some mass for the converter a straight up battery is superior.

Whoops, double posted. I meant to add that the battery I listed runs $10. The Seido adapter is $18. So the first battery+adapter costs $28, which is more than the $20 24/7. The second 24/7 brings the total to $40, while the adapter + 2 batteries is $38, establishing parity. The batteries pull ahead if you need 3.

Somebody going hiking for 2-3 days might consider the 24/7. Someone going to the amazon for a month should get some real batteries and/or a solar charger.

this is one of the most rediculous products i've ever seen! ever here of an extra RECHARGABLE bettery?! They are cheaper, last longer and you can recharge it! Not throw away and buy a new one. The way that this thing is being touted in the review and this thread makes me sick! And all the comments obviously being made by someone profiting from this stupid devices are a freaking joke.

Dear Captaingeek,
The Israli military has been using this power pack for some time now, and they don't think it's a joke. In fact they used it in the recent conflict with Hezbollah. Also it's much easier to buy something like this power pack at say an airport or an amusement park (once it's in full gear) ; than it would be to buy, say 5 batteries for your cell phone. There are so many different types of cell phones out there that finding the right battery could be a problem. These challgenges to the product are interesting, and we will just have to see as the months go by how the product stands on it's own merit. And don't forget, this is just the first generation.

THE ISRAELI ARMY NEVER USED MEDIS PRODUCTS!!!!!!

Do I hear you say ElectricFuel

We see here the same concept and same product but MUCH MORE larger with less energy

bul1,
Read Medis annual report to shareholders

Speaking of Electric Fuel, is anyone taking advanced orders on thier product like Treo is for Medis's product. Has Electric Fuel set up mass production facilities yet, like Medis's 1,500,000 units/month facility coming online soon? I would like to know more about Electric Fuel.

Speaking of Electric Fuel, is anyone taking advanced orders on thier product like Treo is for Medis's product. Has Electric Fuel set up mass production facilities yet, like Medis's 1,500,000 units/month facility coming online soon? I would like to know more about Electric Fuel.

Didn't Electric Fuel change thier name to Aurotec?

Alli said: "I'd be willing to bet you can bring a snowglobe on a plane too."

You'd lose that bet, at least at Orange County airport. Last weekend my brother-in-law and his gf tried to take two snowglobes on board in a carry-on and were told to go back and check the bag, or lose the globes.

Let's face it, if the TSA screener realises there's liquid in the device, they aren't gonna let you through.

Given Rollo's comment that TSA will take your Medis pack, I guess that leaves the option of waiting and buying one when you get to your destination.

I'm interested in this as an emergency / disaster power backup. I will have to wait until it actually "comes out" in order to see how it really works. I've been burnt by too many promises that didn't ever pan out.

Currently, my thinking is to find a way to charge one or more backup batteries using a solar charger of some sort.

I bought a solar charger 3 hurricane seasons ago...you can't charge them in a hurricane, and they won't charge through most windows. More trouble than they're worth, and I paid a pretty penny for it.

The Medis Power Pack would be an excellent way to charge a cell phone when power is out. The only problem is, if it has only a 1 year shelf life, then you have to keep rotating fresh power packs and cannot just keep one stored in your emergency kit. I plan to take one with me on vacation this year, where I will be traveling Calif. and will not be able to charge my cell phone every day from an outlet or car.

Well, if it explodes then we'll have some excellent new custom Treo colors to tout... like "burnt orange" and "charcoal," etc.

Maybe I'm a luddite, but this seems more trouble than lugging around a couple charged batteries ($10 apiece on ebay) or one of those APC super batteries that occasionally can be had for $30-50 and charge via the USB.

Having experience firsthand the crack geniuses at the TSA who thought that a trumpet mouthpiece was probably a bomb (true) and were deftly afraid of some homemade cookies (in 2003, also true), there's no way I would want to be the one expanding their IQ by attempting to explain what a fuel cell is. Keep it simple for them with standard "batteries" for a while, otherwise you'll be off to "Gitmo."

I've got great news Joad, the Medis Power Pack is not going to explode.

Anyone out there who has been using this powerpack already; have you reached a point where you can say how many hours did you get out of it, or get out of it so far?

Anyone out there who has been using this powerpack already; have you reached a point where you can say how many hours did you get out of it, or get out of it so far?

unless this thing is gonna cost $5 its just not worth it to me. this thing is gimicky, playing itself as a fuel cell, yet it initself is not reuseable. true fuel cells can be reused over and over. plus, 30 hours of charge on my treo boils down to a couple of movies at best under best circumstances, add that to the fact that if it hasn't been banned by tsa yet, it will be soon. i'll stick to my 9volt charger, 9volt rechargeable batteries are cheap and I can pack a few into my backpack and get just as much use out of them.

i'll stick with the APC UPB10-CN it's rechargeable.

Yamanimcool & dardm2222, You seem to be missing the point here. If you have access to an outlet, then you don't need this product, just as you don't need a Honda generator. Many people who are on the go have a problem charging thier cell phone becasue they are not near an outlet day or night. ex: all day on the beach or amusement park, military battlefield, the uses are endless for that market. And remember, this is just the first generation. (by the way I am just an enthusiastic(sp) consumer who appreciates technological breakthorughs like this; I have nothing to do with Treo or Medis).

Ladies and Gentlemen... we started shipping the Medis Fuel Cells today from our mytreo.net Store

Actually, i heard Toshiba has some "liquid battery".. and I've seen some product use water to generate power.. i'm not sure if it's right or just a rumor tho

Here is something I googled..

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=116&art_id=vn20031020075715207C351005&set_id=1

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~jchap/tvproba.htm

em.. i have a silly opinion.. well, it says "Over time, fuel cells are diluted into water.".. it could means 1000 years, right? but.. will fuel become water after 1000 years? i guess water may become fuel after 10000000 years..

Alli...thanks for that comment about hurricane. I was thinking either this or solar for our preparedness kit. You sold me on this one with the rather obvious point about lack of sun (whoops--didn't even think about it that way!). Hey...even if the towers & my house don't have power, at least we can play games and watch movies, right? Gotta have priorities!

Hmm... sounds like a reasonable solution where power can't be accessed by any other means, and in a greater hurry than a solar charger - emergencies/expeditions and the like, but to be honest, this is nothing more than a glorified battery (ok, with impressive capacity), and until a device such as this can be 'refuelled', it doesn't help much. Sure, people with little regard for our planet or an exaggerated view of their own self-worth will see it their right to contribute further to our disposable society; for those of us who have woken up and exercise a degree of responsibility, this device isn't much to be excited by - come back to me when it can be replenished.

In addition to the theme park, vacation, travel markets, I can see this product (and similar future proudcts) being used in a variety of emergency uses, where battery power is important, including medical devices such as cpap machines, nebulizers, o2 etc. The only disadvantage I see in it, is that its ability to operate below 41 degrees farenheit is hindered (important here in Minnesota), but that is understandable with chemical reactions. I am wondering what affect altitude would have (outside pressurized aircraft) . Rather than dissing the product, we should all encourage any alternative energy sources that help reduce our dependence on oil.

Excellent - no oil-based plastics involved?!

"(this is) playing itself as a fuel cell, yet it initself is not reuseable."

OK, let's get to the real question here... How hard is it to hack this thing so it BECOMES rechargable?

"(this is) playing itself as a fuel cell, yet it initself is not reuseable."

OK, let's get to the real question here... How hard is it to hack this thing so it BECOMES rechargable?

Treobug,
Alkaline batteries cannot be re-fueled. Do you use them? I don't understand you post. The current Power Pack is a throw-away product. 30 hours of charging time is worth it for me, just as buying and throwing away alkaline batteries is worth it. Presently, I cannot be bothered carrying around fuel or worrying about re-fueling. I suppose each mus assess thier own cost-benefit analysis.

Joad says:

Well, if it explodes then we'll have some excellent new custom Treo colors to tout... like "burnt orange" and "charcoal," etc.

Tullio says:

I've got great news Joad, the Medis Power Pack is not going to explode.

Joad says:

Whew - thank you Tullio for clearing that up. (I guess you didn't get the joke).

Joad says:

Well, if it explodes then we'll have some excellent new custom Treo colors to tout... like "burnt orange" and "charcoal," etc.

Tullio says:

I've got great news Joad, the Medis Power Pack is not going to explode.

Joad says:

Whew - thank you Tullio for clearing that up. (I guess you didn't get the joke).

Joad says:

Well, if it explodes then we'll have some excellent new custom Treo colors to tout... like "burnt orange" and "charcoal," etc.

Tullio says:

I've got great news Joad, the Medis Power Pack is not going to explode.

Joad says:

Whew - thank you Tullio for clearing that up. (I guess you didn't get the joke).

Any ubergeeks care to compare and contrast this product to the following rechargeable power (which has sold around $30 at times):

http://www.amazon.com/APC-UPB10-Mobile-charging-devices/dp/B000GBN42E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-1972223-8579827?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1182215228&sr=8-2

Joad,
from what I can see in the tech descriptions (which is not much....) this is a 10 W/hr device (the Medis Fuel cell is 20 W/hr ), doesn't state the voltage (although from user review is states something around 5 Volts) and is $61 at the moment... lets see 1/2 the power for double the price, but is rechargeable......which is fine if you have somewhere to recharge it.

{Tullio says: Alkaline batteries cannot be re-fueled. Do you use them? Presently, I cannot be bothered...}

Hell no, I depend on rechargeable systems exclusively. I guess you don't have kids... or an interest in the planet. 'Can't be bothered' - 'nuff said, no wonder you didn't understand.

Bad for the environment, not FAA approved, a one-year shelf life that should "outlast any electronic device". ROTFLMAO

Treobug and 2000 Man... I guess you didn't read the article well enough: "...being considered "Green." There are no heavy materials used in the fuel cells. Over time, fuel cells are diluted into water."
Additionally, Medis also has a recycling program in place and has approved recyclers. The Medis 24/7 includes a prepaid bag for recycling. Medis is conscious of the environment and encourages recycling of the product and therefore includes the cost of recycling in the product purchase.

So, again,were is this bad for the environment? Rechargeable systems over time also need to be disposed and guess what: they are not environmentally friendly

my question to the moderator: How many of these Medis Power Pack units have been already sold by your store?

To respond to the rechargability issue: I guess the next product from medis would a same unit with cartridge system. So the users would not need to toss $30 unit just after one use. A 20WHr cartridge would be in the range of $1-2 as the fuel does not cost that much.

The Medis 24/7 DOES NOT include a prepaid bag for recycling. You have to pay the postage to return it.

Medis said it would include prepaid postage but Medis didn't keep their word on this.

To rao_vineet: As a policy we don't give out store statistics. However, it has appeared in our "best sellers" list several times, even when it was only available on a pre-sale basis. (You can watch that list for yourself -- it's visible in the right hand column of the store.)

I have read many disturbing comments about this product. If you do not like the product, don't use is (and stay near an outlet). There are plenty of us who do like it. Are cell phones perfect? far from it (line quality); but they still fill a need. The same here. To be able re re-power a cell phone or ipod without an outlet is very powerful and helpful to many; even with certain restrictions (ex; don't run the cell phone battery all the way down). Best wishes to all who are using the Power Pack. IT's a positive experience for those who respect it for what it is.