All of the world's major consumer electronics companies are pursuing the use of methanol as a hydrogen carrier fuel for micro fuel cell applications, including NEC. As the Vice President of the Methanol Institute and an active member of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council, I have been actively involved in the development of design and performance requirements for micro fuel cells, as well as the adoption of transport regulations. Our principal concern in these activities are to ensure that the standards and regulations governing the use of methanol in fuel cell devices are protective of public health. I'm not sure who Ron Enderle is talking to with concerns about "the potentially poisonous output of methanol," but let me reassure him and your readers that fuel cell products designed to meet the standards and regulations already on the books will in by no means result in harmful emissions. We've pursued a strict "no leak" policy that fuel cartridges can not release methanol even under after severe impact. And any emission vapors from operating a methanol fuel cell phone will not result in an adverse health effects. Also, keep in mind that neat ethanol is a toxic chemical, and also a known carcinogen. The folks expressing concern about methanol are usually the people who have invested in a competing technology. Methanol is the safer bet.