The viability of lithium ion batteries is under
scrutiny, with three major suppliers - Apple, Dell and Toshiba -
recalling batteries used in tens of thousands of laptops, and three
airlines issuing restrictions on their use on
aircraft.
At the same time, environmental organisation Greenpeace has
warned of hazardous substances contained in laptop batteries. And
questions remain over what suppliers are doing to develop
alternatives to current power technologies.
Mark Blowers, senior analyst for IT infrastructure at Butler
Group, said, "Battery technology has not kept pace as we have
become more power hungry. Other than moving from nickel cadmium to
lithium ion, batteries have not really kept pace.Battery technology
is not up to the job."
He added that, as mobile devices become increasingly become
desktop replacements with high-end features, such as large colour
screens, powerful hard drives and wireless technology, they draw
more power.
One way processor manufacturers AMD and Intel are tackling power
demands in laptops is through technologies that can extend battery
life. AMD's Powernow and Intel's Dynamic Power Co-ordination
systems both have power saving features.
Intel's Speedstep and AMD's Powernow are designed to increase
power as and when it is required, and reduce power at other times,
enabling the laptop to run more efficiently and so conserve battery
power.
Going forward, fuel cell battery technology promises to boost
laptop battery life. Due to arrive in the next few years, fuel cell
batteries work by converting chemical energy into electricity. Fuel
cell by-products oxygen and water are recycled back into the cell,
increasing efficiency and making batteries more environmentally
friendly.
Early tests have shown that fuel cells can power a notebook for
five hours, but the batteries are not yet sufficiently
portable.
From January 2007, the International Civil Aviation Organisation
will allow fuel cells to be carried on board commercial
aircraft.
Another technology that could reduce battery drainage is screen
technology based on organic light emitting diodes. This approach
could cut power consumption and provide brighter screens for
portable devices, but is still at least two years away, said
analysts.