Beer could power laptops

Laptop owners may not need to worry again about low batteries.

Scientists are now testing computers that are powered by methanol, a type of alcohol.

The booze batteries work by converting hydrogen found in the fuel into electricity.

One small cartridge of methanol about the size of a cigarette lighter could power a laptop for up to 10 hours. When the power runs out, users simply replace the fuel cell with a full one or refill it.

Micro fuel cells are likely to cost about the same as existing batteries, although a price for the cartridge the system will use to store methanol has yet to be fixed.

Experts believe the batteries could also one day be expanded to fuel everything from mobile phones to cars.