New Tech Charges Your Phone With Salt Water

The Swedish's startup MyFC reveals its new technology, JAQ , earlier this year. The device, which is small enough to fit in your back pocket is said to be a fuel cell charger. It uses saltwater and oxygen to convert chemical energy into electricity. Then uses that electricity to charge your phone's battery.

The charger consists of a credit card-shaped "Power Card" and a hollowed out port that's roughly the size of a smartphone. This power card contains saltwater, which fuels electricity-producing chemical reactions when you slip the card into the port.

One JAQ Power Card produces about 1,800 milliampere-hours' (1.8A) worth of current, that's nearly enough energy to fully charge an iPhone 6S. Larger devices, like tablets, can also be charged with the fuel cell, but it'll take more than one power card to get them fully charged.

Disadvantages

1. The saltwater-contained power cards are good for just one use. After that, they stop producing the chemical reactions necessary to generate electricity.

2. JAQ isn't available for purchase just yet, but the company anticipates that the product will be ready to ship later this year. When available MyFC hopes to implement a subscription service and Customers would sign up to receive a certain number of power cards every month.

Individual cards would also be available for purchase and will likely cost about $1.50.