Increased Operating Time for Power Pack

Medis Technologies Ltd. of New York City has significantly increased the planned operating time of its fuel cell Power Pack product for charging cell phones, digital cameras, MP3s and other portable electronic devices. Using the same fuel cartridge footprint, the Power Pack will deliver the equivalent of 12 to 15 hours of cell phone talk time or five full charges of the battery with each fueling depending on the individual cell phone power consumption and battery. This compares to its previous capability of about nine hours of talk time or three battery charges.

When used to power a rechargeable digital camera, the Power Pack is planned to deliver two to five battery charges per fueling, depending on the individual camera’s power consumption and battery. This should reduce packaging and shipping costs, and customers will have the convenience of carrying and using fewer cartridges.

“We also continue to move forward with our production program in order to meet our plan to have the Power Packs in market distribution channels by the end of this year,” says Robert K. Lifton, Medis chairman and CEO. “We are now engaged in selecting a company to carry out the manufacturing requirements.”

Lifton also announced the preliminary results of consumer attitude surveys and focus groups toward the proposed Power Pack product. A very high level of demand was reflected by stay-at-home moms who use cell phones frequently, although not so much by business travelers. But the positive reaction of digital camera owners was overwhelming. Every one interviewed said they would buy and use a Power Pack. The price most would pay is $29.99 plus $1.50-$2 for a cartridge.