Battery life in a cellphone is a major problem,with the best offering just three to four hours of talk time. Forget charging batteries Toshiba is close to launching its first commercial direct-methanol fuel-cell (DMFC) device, which promises a faster way to recharge portable electronics product.

DMFCs produce electricity from a reaction between methanol, water and air. The only byproducts are a small amount of water vapour and carbon dioxide, so DMFCs are often seen as a greener source of energy than traditional batteries.Another advantage is that they can be replenished with a new cartridge of methanol in seconds.

Toshiba claim that a 50ml cartridge could refill the cell about 15 times,which means that about 3.3 mL of liquid methanol is enough to power the phone for twice as long as comparable batteries.