PowerTrekk, a Portable Fuel Cell iPhone Charger

PowerTrekk Fuel Cell ChargerImage via myFC

SAN FRANCISCO - Swedish firm myFC was showing the company's new PowerTrekk fuel cell charger that allows users to charge an iPhone or other portable device without access to an electric socket, or even the sun. You will, however, need a tablespoon of water. 

At Macworld/iWorld, the company demonstrated the product for us, quipping that they were in the hydrogen liberation business. OK, that's way nerdy, but it's darn funny. Better yet, it's true.

By adding roughly a tablespoon of water and a fresh myFC PowerTrekk puck, the device becomes a fuel cell that separates hydrogen and oxygen from the water you added, generating 5 volts of power at 1 amp for four hours.

PowerTrekk

PowerTrekk — The Puck on One Side, Water on the Other
Photograph by Sphynge Photography for The Mac Observer

That's enough to charge an iPhone, but the PowerTrekk also sports a built-in lithium-ion battery that continues to collect the electricity generated, enough for a second charge for your iPhone.

In other words, you can use this device to charge your iPhone out in the wilderness or in the middle of a hurricane, and all you need is a little water and a fresh cannister. Each cannister will effectively produce enough power for two charges. Users get three cannisters with their PowerTrekk, and additional cannisters are available at three for US$10.

PowerTrekk Puck

The myFC PowerTrekk Puck
Photograph by Sphynge Photography for TMO

That makes it very impractical for charging your device(s) all the time—this isn't a replacement for your wall socket—but for those planning on hiking, camping, sailing, or preparing for a natural disaster, the value of instant-power may be priceless.

PowerTrekk will ship at the beginning of March and will first be available at REI in the States. In addition to selling the device and the pucks, REI will also take your used pucks and return them to myFC where they will be refilled with the reagent that generates the juice.

PowerTrekk will retail for approximately $229, but REI will sell them at an introductory price of $199.