- Email: [email protected]
Marathon power from UltraCell RMFC systems
NEWS In addition, there has been an emerging focus by the military on alternative fuels, to eliminate dependence on foreign oil and increase national security. Virtually all renewable/alternative military fuels, including synthetics, are likely to take a liquid form, and portable power systems that are compatible with these emerging fuels will offer exceptional value. Contact: Protonex Technology Corporation, Southborough, Massachusetts, USA. Tel: +1 508 490 9960, www.protonex.com
Adaptive Materials SOFCs for CERDEC
P
ortable solid oxide fuel cell systems developer Adaptive Materials Inc recently delivered five of its systems to the US Armed Services CommunicationsElectronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) for testing, as part of a joint project with the US Army and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa). The company’s 25 W Amie25 fuel cell systems, fueled by globally available propane, can be used to power a wide variety of military devices. The SOFC systems delivered by Michigan-based Adaptive Materials to CERDEC will undergo field and lab testing by the Army to prove functionality and feasibility. The Amie25 delivers 25 W of continuous power and 50 W of peak power as demanded by mission-critical electrical devices, including night-vision goggles and remote-sensing equipment. The system can also be used to recharge batteries needed for other electrical devices. The Amie25 weighs just 1.5 kg, and is designed to reduce weight and increase convenience for soldiers in the field. The energy produced by one of Adaptive Materials’ SOFC systems has the potential to replace nine different types of batteries that a soldier would carry onto the field, reducing the weight burden for each individual soldier by more than 12 kg. The Amie25 can run for 72 h per kg of propane. Contact: Adaptive Materials Inc, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Tel: +1 734 302 7632, www.adaptivematerials.com
Marathon power from UltraCell RMFC systems
C
alifornia-based portable fuel cell developer UltraCell reports that its XX25™ reformed methanol fuel cell (RMFC) systems successfully powered
November 2008
emergency communications radios at the 12th annual US Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio, hosted by the USAF Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Working with event organizers, radio amateurs from nearby Greene County Amateur Radio Emergency System (GCARES) set up an extensive communication and data distribution network for the entire 50 square mile marathon operational area. Included within the emergency communications (EMCOMM) system were seven VHF tactical radios powered by two UltraCell XX25 fuel cells. One XX25 fuel cell system charged six ICOM F-50 VHF emergency transceivers, while another powered a Yaesu FT819 all-mode remote emergency radio station. While in constant communication with emergency operations command, the seven tactical radios operated entirely off-grid and at full power capacity. The lightweight, portable XX25 fuel cell systems delivered uninterrupted power which normally would have required multiple battery replacements. UltraCell is a leading producer of fuel cell systems for mobile devices. With an exclusive license with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories for micro fuel cell technology, the company has developed new technologies and intellectual property in the field of methanolbased fuel cells. Its patented, award-winning portable fuel cell, the XX25™, has achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 status, a significant US Army milestone, and certification for military use and commercial production [FCB, April 2008]. Contact: UltraCell Corporation, Livermore, California, USA. Tel: +1 925 455 9400, www.ultracellpower.com
fueling
Loughborough opens H2 station, Birmingham gets car fleet
I
n the UK, Loughborough University has inaugurated a hydrogen refueling station, supplied by Air Products, and one of only two currently operational in the UK. It will enable the university to drive forward its fuel cell and hydrogen research, and provide a refueling service to hydrogen vehicles used by campus-based organizations. The facility is part of a cluster of hydrogen refueling stations being set up across the region by the British Midlands Hydrogen Forum. Known as the Midlands Hydrogen Ring, the stations will be at the heart of hydrogen fueling infrastructure planned throughout the UK.
IN BRIEF AFC Energy delays delivery of fuel cells to AkzoNobel UK-based AFC Energy (www.afcenergy.com) has announced that after discussion with its customer, AkzoNobel, the company will delay delivery of its first fuel cells to AkzoNobel’s Bitterfeld site in Germany [FCB, April 2008]. The alkaline fuel cell developer says that although the individual fuel cells are operating well, further work is required to enhance the overall output of the combined system. AFC is currently undertaking this work, and delivery is expected to commence once this is completed. ‘Our staff are working closely with AkzoNobel, and we have completed the preparatory work at the Bitterfeld site in anticipation of delivery and installation,’ says Gerard Sauer, CEO of AFC Energy. China cooperating with Canada on hydrogen fuel cell technology The Chinese Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST, www.most.gov.cn) has signed a fouryear memorandum of understanding for technology cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC, www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca), according to a report on Gasgoo.com. The MOU puts the emphasis on hydrogen fuel cell technology for the two nations in the initial stage of cooperation, and other priority areas will also be explored for other fields that may interest the two parties. A steering committee will be founded by MOST and NRC, as part of the MOU, to hold conferences annually on cooperation projects. MOST and NRC signed a science and technology MOU in June 2003 to promote scientific and industry-wide cooperation between the two countries; that five-year MOU expired in June. Last calls for papers for Vancouver, Lucerne The deadlines are fast approaching for submitting papers for two of next year’s key fuel cell events in very scenic locations. The fourth edition of the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 (HFC2009) conference will be held 31 May–3 June at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. The abstract submission deadline has been extended to 28 November. For more information or to submit an abstract for HFC2009, go to: www.hfc2009.com
The Lucerne Fuel Cell Forum 2009 will take place 28 June–2 July, and comprise an international congress on the science, technology and applications of all fuel cell technologies, with a parallel exhibition, and a fuel cell tutorial. The abstracts deadline is 30 November. For more details or to submit an abstract for the Lucerne Fuel Cell Forum, go to: www.efcf.com
Fuel Cells Bulletin
7
Adaptive Materials SOFCs for CERDEC
P
ortable solid oxide fuel cell systems developer Adaptive Materials Inc recently delivered five of its systems to the US Armed Services CommunicationsElectronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) for testing, as part of a joint project with the US Army and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa). The company’s 25 W Amie25 fuel cell systems, fueled by globally available propane, can be used to power a wide variety of military devices. The SOFC systems delivered by Michigan-based Adaptive Materials to CERDEC will undergo field and lab testing by the Army to prove functionality and feasibility. The Amie25 delivers 25 W of continuous power and 50 W of peak power as demanded by mission-critical electrical devices, including night-vision goggles and remote-sensing equipment. The system can also be used to recharge batteries needed for other electrical devices. The Amie25 weighs just 1.5 kg, and is designed to reduce weight and increase convenience for soldiers in the field. The energy produced by one of Adaptive Materials’ SOFC systems has the potential to replace nine different types of batteries that a soldier would carry onto the field, reducing the weight burden for each individual soldier by more than 12 kg. The Amie25 can run for 72 h per kg of propane. Contact: Adaptive Materials Inc, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Tel: +1 734 302 7632, www.adaptivematerials.com
Marathon power from UltraCell RMFC systems
C
alifornia-based portable fuel cell developer UltraCell reports that its XX25™ reformed methanol fuel cell (RMFC) systems successfully powered
November 2008
emergency communications radios at the 12th annual US Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio, hosted by the USAF Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Working with event organizers, radio amateurs from nearby Greene County Amateur Radio Emergency System (GCARES) set up an extensive communication and data distribution network for the entire 50 square mile marathon operational area. Included within the emergency communications (EMCOMM) system were seven VHF tactical radios powered by two UltraCell XX25 fuel cells. One XX25 fuel cell system charged six ICOM F-50 VHF emergency transceivers, while another powered a Yaesu FT819 all-mode remote emergency radio station. While in constant communication with emergency operations command, the seven tactical radios operated entirely off-grid and at full power capacity. The lightweight, portable XX25 fuel cell systems delivered uninterrupted power which normally would have required multiple battery replacements. UltraCell is a leading producer of fuel cell systems for mobile devices. With an exclusive license with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories for micro fuel cell technology, the company has developed new technologies and intellectual property in the field of methanolbased fuel cells. Its patented, award-winning portable fuel cell, the XX25™, has achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 status, a significant US Army milestone, and certification for military use and commercial production [FCB, April 2008]. Contact: UltraCell Corporation, Livermore, California, USA. Tel: +1 925 455 9400, www.ultracellpower.com
fueling
Loughborough opens H2 station, Birmingham gets car fleet
I
n the UK, Loughborough University has inaugurated a hydrogen refueling station, supplied by Air Products, and one of only two currently operational in the UK. It will enable the university to drive forward its fuel cell and hydrogen research, and provide a refueling service to hydrogen vehicles used by campus-based organizations. The facility is part of a cluster of hydrogen refueling stations being set up across the region by the British Midlands Hydrogen Forum. Known as the Midlands Hydrogen Ring, the stations will be at the heart of hydrogen fueling infrastructure planned throughout the UK.
IN BRIEF AFC Energy delays delivery of fuel cells to AkzoNobel UK-based AFC Energy (www.afcenergy.com) has announced that after discussion with its customer, AkzoNobel, the company will delay delivery of its first fuel cells to AkzoNobel’s Bitterfeld site in Germany [FCB, April 2008]. The alkaline fuel cell developer says that although the individual fuel cells are operating well, further work is required to enhance the overall output of the combined system. AFC is currently undertaking this work, and delivery is expected to commence once this is completed. ‘Our staff are working closely with AkzoNobel, and we have completed the preparatory work at the Bitterfeld site in anticipation of delivery and installation,’ says Gerard Sauer, CEO of AFC Energy. China cooperating with Canada on hydrogen fuel cell technology The Chinese Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST, www.most.gov.cn) has signed a fouryear memorandum of understanding for technology cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC, www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca), according to a report on Gasgoo.com. The MOU puts the emphasis on hydrogen fuel cell technology for the two nations in the initial stage of cooperation, and other priority areas will also be explored for other fields that may interest the two parties. A steering committee will be founded by MOST and NRC, as part of the MOU, to hold conferences annually on cooperation projects. MOST and NRC signed a science and technology MOU in June 2003 to promote scientific and industry-wide cooperation between the two countries; that five-year MOU expired in June. Last calls for papers for Vancouver, Lucerne The deadlines are fast approaching for submitting papers for two of next year’s key fuel cell events in very scenic locations. The fourth edition of the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 (HFC2009) conference will be held 31 May–3 June at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. The abstract submission deadline has been extended to 28 November. For more information or to submit an abstract for HFC2009, go to: www.hfc2009.com
The Lucerne Fuel Cell Forum 2009 will take place 28 June–2 July, and comprise an international congress on the science, technology and applications of all fuel cell technologies, with a parallel exhibition, and a fuel cell tutorial. The abstracts deadline is 30 November. For more details or to submit an abstract for the Lucerne Fuel Cell Forum, go to: www.efcf.com
Fuel Cells Bulletin
7