FuelCellsWorks

UltraCell's XX55 portable fuel cell delivers reliable portable power as well as the industry's first hybrid fuel cell/battery system, designed to meet the rugged off-grid power needs of performance-demanding military and commercial users.

Award Supports Fuel Cell Industry Leadership; Company to Further Expand U.S. Manufacturing, Add Jobs

LIVERMORE, CA— UltraCell Corporation, a leading producer of portable fuel cells, has been awarded $1 million from the state of Ohio through the Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program. Announced by state officials earlier this month, UltraCell will use the funds to help move more of its UltraCell XX55™ manufacturing operations to the Dayton region.

The Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program accelerates the development and growth of the fuel cell industry in Ohio by direct financial support to organizations seeking to investigate near-term specific commercial objectives or adapt or modify existing components that can reduce the cost of fuel cell systems or address technical and commercialization barriers.

“Innovative companies like UltraCell are working hard to ensure alternative energy sources become a reality not just for the markets they serve, but for local communities like Dayton that benefit from their advancement and the businesses they build,” said Mike McKay, Manager of the Technology Business Assistance Office in the Ohio Department of Development’s Technology and Innovation Division.

“We’re pleased to have the continued support of the Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program,” said UltraCell CEO Keith Scott. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to the state of Ohio and our Dayton operations and grateful for the state’s financial award which further underscores their trust in our products and growth strategy.”

Also earlier this month, UltraCell announced that it had secured $3 million in federal stimulus funds from the U.S. Department of the Air Force as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The funds will be applied towards the “50W Soldier Portable Fuel Cell System” program, created to support the design and development of reliable, efficient portable fuel cells for dismounted warfighters deployed in Afghanistan and other arenas across the globe. Under the program, UltraCell will build 65 fuel cell systems based on its XX55 Reformed Methanol Fuel Cell (RMFC).

About UltraCell

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 methanol-based fuel cells. Its patented, award-winning portable fuel cell, the XX25™, achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 status, a significant U.S. Army milestone and certification for military use and commercial production. For more information about UltraCell, please visit http://www.ultracellpower.com/.

API's PBIS-1000 and AlumiFuel Cartridge. (Photo: Business Wire)

CENTENNIAL, Colo.–Early production stage hydrogen generation company AlumiFuel Power, Inc. (“API”), the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based wholly owned operating subsidiary of AlumiFuel Power Corporation (OTCBB: AFPW), (the “Company”), announced today that it has taken delivery of its first production unit hydrogen generator, the PBIS-1000. API also announced that, with the help of its local manufacturing partner, Apex Piping Systems (see API news release of September 28, 2009), its production line is fully ready for mass production of its hydrogen generators. The design and construction of this third generation of the PBIS-1000 incorporates significant feedback from customers, and customer deliveries are expected to begin in early 2010.

API’s PBIS-1000 relies on the robust chemical reaction among aluminum, water, and proprietary additives. Operation of the generator is simple: two 32-oz. “aluminum can” cartridges containing aluminum powder and the proprietary additives, are loaded into the reactor vessels. Water from practically any source, including salt or brackish water, is poured into the water tank, and a hand pump is then used to inject water into the cartridges, generating 1,000 liters of hydrogen in 20 minutes.

While API’s hydrogen generator was initially designed for the remote inflation of weather balloons (hence its name, Portable Balloon Inflation System), the quality of hydrogen the reactor generates is easily adaptable to fuel cells and many other systems requiring remote/portable hydrogen. Currently, large, heavy and hard-to-handle steel “K-Cylinders” under very high pressures are used to transport and deliver hydrogen to customers. The PBIS unit instead relies on small unpressurized cartridges of aluminum powder and any available water source. This greatly reduces the cost and danger of transporting hydrogen, and makes hydrogen available to previously inaccessible locations.

Unlike expensive electrolysis systems, API’s generator does not need an external power source, and unlike steam reformers, API’s generator creates no greenhouse gases. Furthermore, all the chemicals used in the reaction are non-toxic and can be recycled or discarded in municipal dumps. API’s hydrogen generator is more mobile and considerably less expensive than any other system on the market.

API’s Director of Engineering, Mr. Sean McIntosh, said: “We are of course very excited about the delivery of our first production unit hydrogen generator, but we are even more excited about having a very robust and agile manufacturing system in place to quickly and easily ramp up our production in a very cost-effective manner. And there is nothing in the market that even comes close to this unit in terms of its versatility to handle a variety of applications.”

API’s Chief Technology Officer, Mr. John Boyle, added: “In an age of frequent international outsourcing, we have kept the production of nearly all of our generator components very local. While beneficial to the U.S. economy at large, keeping our production local was driven by one very practical concern: quality of components. When it comes to the kind of high quality components needed in any system involving hydrogen, the U.S. is still the world leader. And many of the best U.S. manufacturers are found right here on the East Coast.”

About Apex Piping Systems

Apex Piping Systems, Inc. (www.apexpiping.com) is a world class fabricator of piping systems, skid modules, specialty fabrications and reactor vessels serving the Petro-Chemical, Air Separation, Nuclear, Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Gas Turbine, Bio-Fuel and other related industries. Their headquarters is located in Newport, Delaware, conveniently located off of Interstate 95, with close access to barge and rail transport. Their main engineering and manufacturing facility spans over 60,000 square feet, and features a world class 35,000-square-foot ASME code process pipe and pressure vessel fabrication shop. The company holds ASME “U”, “PP”, “S”, and NBIC “R” code stamp authorizations, and is certified by TUV SUD America to the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) and ISO ISO 9001:2000.

About AlumiFuel Power, Inc. (API)

API (www.alumifuelpowerinc.com) is an early production stage alternative energy company that generates hydrogen gas and superheated steam through the chemical reaction of aluminum, water, and proprietary additives. This technology is ideally suited for multiple niche applications requiring on-site, on-demand fuel sources, serving National Security and commercial customers. API’s hydrogen feeds fuel cells for portable and back-up power, fills inflatable devices such as weather balloons, and can replace costly, hard-to-handle and high pressure K-Cylinders. Its hydrogen/heat output is also being designed and developed to drive turbine-based underwater propulsion systems and auxiliary power systems, and as the fuel for flameless heaters/warmers. API has significant differentiators in performance, adaptability, safety and cost-effectiveness in its target market applications, with no external power required and no toxic chemicals or by-products. For more news and information on API, please visit www.irgnews.com/coi/AFPW.

About AlumiFuel Power Corporation

AlumiFuel Power Corporation acquired in May 2009 its wholly owned operating subsidiary AlumiFuel Power, Inc., a Philadelphia-based early production stage alternative energy company that generates hydrogen gas and steam for multiple niche applications requiring on-site, on-demand fuel sources. The Company also has been conducting biotechnology research, development and potential commercialization of technologies and products for new cancer therapeutic agents and cancer fighting drugs called targeted therapies.

Hydrogen offers great promise as a major contributor to our nation’s clean energy portfolio.  While abundant on Earth, hydrogen is almost always found in combination with other elements, such as with oxygen (in water) and carbon (in plant matter). Pure hydrogen must be produced from hydrogen-containing compounds.

One of the cleanest ways to produce hydrogen is to use sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The solar-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC) process uses semiconductors immersed in an aqueous electrolyte (solution that conducts electricity) to split water.

While the PEC process is promising, no single semiconductor material meets the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2013 goal of 8% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency and 1,000-hour durability. Metal oxides are stable, but not very efficient. On the other hand, highly efficient semiconductor materials have been hampered by their instability in aqueous environments.

Recent experiments by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researcher Heli Wang, however, mark a significant step forward for this hydrogen-production technology.

Wang’s experiments build on decades of research and collaboration in this arena. NREL researchers have been working to improve the durability of photovoltaic cells for PEC hydrogen production for quite some time. In 1998, NREL’s John Turner developed a record-breaking tandem photovoltaic cell (made of gallium-indium-phosphide/gallium-arsenide) with an impressive 12.4% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency. Unfortunately, the tandem cell demonstrated a functional lifespan of about 24 hours. Since then, research has focused on identifying materials and systems that are durable and stable against corrosion in aqueous environments.

The original aqueous solution used in the tandem cell contained sulfuric acid. As an alternative electrolyte, Wang employed a nitrate solution in which the semiconductor suffered significantly less corrosion.  In fact, one sample showed virtually no damage after a 24-hour test.

“This research represents a major step toward achieving DOE’s efficiency and durability goals,” Wang says. “To fully understand why the nitrate solution inhibited the corrosion of the semiconductor, future experimental and theoretical work will focus on identifying the inhibition mechanism. This will help us further extend the durability of the semiconductors.”

Adaptive Materials was recently awarded a $3 million contract to provide 60-watt fuel cell systems to the United States Air Force.  Over the next 19 months, Adaptive Materials will develop, evaluate and manufacture 60-watt solid oxide fuel cells, ultimately delivering a significant number of fuel cells for use by the Air Force.

“Over the last 10 years, Adaptive Materials has been a leader in the development and delivery of portable, lightweight, and safe fuel cells to the U.S. military, and we continue to drive the innovation of fuel cell technology,” said chief business officer Michelle Crumm.  “Adaptive Materials fuel cells provide the convenience, durability and reliability that is redefining how our military meets the power needs of soldiers in the field.  We are confident that procurement of Adaptive Materials’ fuel cells for widespread military use is the next step in our evolution.”

The driving impetus behind Adaptive Materials work with the United States Air Force is to determine the feasibility of fuel cells to power communications, surveillance and other technologies for soldiers in the field.  The fuel cells developed by Adaptive Materials will meet power needs that are not currently available through either in-house military procedures or under existing contracts.

Specifically, Adaptive Materials will focus on fuel cell ruggedization, reliability, power density and startup time throughout the development of its 60-watt systems for the United States Air Force.  The propane-powered fuel cells delivered to the United States Air Force by Adaptive Materials will be designed with a 72-hour mission in mind.

Adaptive Materials will begin delivery of 60-watt fuel cells to the United States Air Force for testing at the end of 2010.

About Adaptive Materials, Inc.

Based in Ann Arbor, Mich., Adaptive Materials, Inc. is the first company to develop, demonstrate and deliver a portable, affordable, and fuel flexible solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system.  The company offers 50, 150 and 250-watt fuel cell systems that are powered by globally available and power dense propane, butane and LPG.  Adaptive Materials’ fuel cell system provides portable power to the United States Armed Forces as well as industries including leisure, remote monitoring, and medical devices.  For more information, visit www.adaptivematerials.com.

Santa Fe, New Mexico –Jetstream Wind, Inc., a developer of breakthrough energy technology and milestone producer in the renewable energy industry, combines efforts and creates Remote Renewable Resources, LLC as a way to develop and generate clean, reliable and cost-effective power to remote and off-grid locations worldwide.

Remote Renewable Resources, a sister corporation to Jetstream Wind, Inc. was formed in October of 2009, by Henry Herman, CEO of Jetstream Wind, Inc., Jeane Champion of She’s Crafty Craft Services and Michael Bowen, Sr. Loan Officer of Superior Mortgage as a dynamic alliance to further integrate clean renewable energy into our society. The initial project of this alliance, appropriately named “Climate Kitchen”, will combine renewable hydrogen production as a stand-alone power source, and a 35’ Freightliner truck to produce a historic step for the renewable energy and motion picture industry while revolutionizing the way we look at hydrogen as a power producer.

Climate Kitchen was chosen as the initial project to showcase a self-contained vehicle with the full capacity to produce and provide fresh, delicious food on location as if the Climate Kitchen were plugged into the grid. Yet it uses state-of-the-art, constant and cost-effective hydrogen power production methods which do not require grid access.

As film production in New Mexico is on the increase, the numbers of films shot on location are also rising along with the power requirements supplied by fossil fuel burning generators. According to Ann Lerner, Film Liaison for the City of Albuquerque, “A tremendous amount of industry infrastructure is now located in Albuquerque, and according to Variety Magazine, New Mexico is now ranked third in North America for T.V. and film production. This technology is an important step for not only the New Mexico film industry, but for our global future.”

From within a small area inside the catering truck, hydrogen will be safely produced, compressed, stored and burned in an internal hydrogen turbine to deliver stable and 100% CO²-free electric power. While the water molecule is separated to create hydrogen for electrical power, oxygen will also be safely produced and stored providing this truck with potential and popular oxygen bar therapy. This will make the “Climate Kitchen” on wheels the first clean, highly economical craft service truck and stand-along power source in the New Mexico film industry.

Plans are also already underway for the development and use of this revolutionary technology in global humanitarian crises situations where devastation or population displacement has occurred, as this technology can provide secure and remote clean electricity, food and water to those in need.

The Climate Kitchen is currently in development at the Jetstream Wind, Inc. headquarters in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is scheduled for completion in March of 2010 where an invitational unveiling will take place.

Based in Santa Fe, NM Jetstream Wind Inc. is an emerging leader in the renewable energy industry, specializing in the integration and development of proprietary renewable technologies that maximize economic and environmental potentials. To learn more please visit our website at http://www.jetstreamwind.com

Tokyo—TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) and AISIN SEIKI CO., LTD. (Aisin) announce they will provide a total of 30 residential, solid-oxide fuel-cell (SOFC1) cogeneration systems developed jointly by Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Osaka Gas), Kyocera Corporation (Kyocera), TMC and Aisin to five Japanese gas companies, as part of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’s (NEDO’s) Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Verification Project2 for 2009.

Specifically, TMC and Aisin will provide four SOFC cogeneration systems to Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd., one to Toho Gas Co., Ltd., 23 to Osaka Gas and one to Saibu Gas Co.,Ltd. TMC and Aisin have already supplied one to Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd. Once installation is complete in regular households, the five gas companies will gather data necessary for commercialization.

TMC and Aisin have worked together with Osaka Gas and Kyocera since March 2009 on the development of residential SOFC cogeneration systems. By joining in this verification project to gather data for the research and development of commercially viable systems, they hope to accelerate progress, culminating in the commercialization of residential SOFC cogeneration systems by the first half of the 2010s.

1-Fuel cells using ceramic electrolytes. Oxygen is ionized and, by passing through an electrolyte, chemically reacts with hydrogen and carbon monoxide, generating electricity. One of the notable characteristics of this system is that it uses carbon monoxide.

2-Begun in 2007; the project’s aim is to install residential SOFC cogeneration systems in regular households to identify future technological development issues based on the data acquired. Unless otherwise noted, years mentioned are from April 1 to March 31.

Outline of SOFC cogeneration systems provided to NEDO project for 2009

Features

1. System is one third lighter and smaller than TMC and Aisin’s 2008 system1,

facilitating easier installation in multi-unit housing complexes and detached houses.

2. Modifications to cell2 electrodes have improved durability.

1-Residential polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) cogeneration system provided to NEDO’s 2008 Large-Scale Stationary Fuel Cell Demonstration Project.

2-Fuel cells (electric power generator) composed of a cathode, electrolyte and an anode. A single cell has an electromotive force of less than one volt and an output of only a few watts, so cells are connected sequentially in a stack to increase voltage and power output.

Osaka, Japan – Panasonic Corporation today announced it has developed a direct methanol fuel cell system^[1] which can produce an average power output of 20 W by increasing the output per cubic centimeter twice that of its previous prototype^[2]. Using this technology, Panasonic aims to develop a 100 W-class portable generator and start field testing in fiscal 2012 ending in March 2012.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell System 20W

Heightening environmental concerns and depletion of fossil fuels urge the development of alternative, clean energy with little greenhouse gas emissions. Great hopes are placed on the practical application of direct methanol fuel cells as an alternative, because they produce no air pollutants and significantly lower amount of CO2 than internal combustion engine generators.

In 2008 Panasonic developed compact fuel cell stacks^[3] by reviewing the structure of its connecting parts. It also developed compact and energy-efficient balance of plant (BOP) systems ^[4] including a fuel supply pump that can directly mix and adjust the concentration of methanol internally. By improving the stack technology, Panasonic has successfully doubled the average power output to 20 W while retaining the same volume with the preceding prototype. The high output methanol fuel cell allows for powering feature-laden laptop computers, which have relatively high power consumption.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell System 100W

The new fuel cell system also boasts 5,000 hours of durability (based on eight-hour intermittent use per day). Durability was a major challenge for commercialization of fuel cells because power output drops as the electrodes deteriorate. Panasonic solved the problem by developing a technology that enables supplying high concentration fuel to the electrode^[5].

Panasonic continues to work to increase output of direct methanol fuel cells, capitalizing on the above technologies that have achieved downsizing and high durability. As a next step, it plans to develop a portable generator with an average output of 100 W that will be much more compact than engine-generators. Combining the fuel cell generator with its high-capacity lithium-ion battery module, Panasonic aims to bring to market an outdoor power source that integrates energy-creation and energy-storage functions.

On the prototype fuel cell system, Panasonic holds 139 patents in Japan and 69 in other countries including pending applications.

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Systems

Explanation of Terminology

[1]Direct methanol fuel cell: A fuel cell using a methanol aqueous solution as fuel which is directly fed into the generating part. The methanol (CH3OH) and water generate hydrogen ion and CO2 at the fuel electrode as shown below. At the air electrode, the hydrogen ion which has moved from the fuel electrode reacts with oxygen to generate electrical energy and water.

[2]Previous Panasonic prototypes: Displayed at the Hydrogen Energy Advanced Technology Exhibition 2008 held in Japan.

[3]Stack: The generating part of the fuel cell. A plurality of MEA (membrane electrode assembly consisting of fuel electrode, electrolyte membrane, and air electrode) are connected in series to form a fuel cell stack.

[4]BOP (Balance of Plant): General name for power generation assisting devices, such as circuits controlling the power generation and pumps supplying air and fuel.

[5]Technology enabling high concentration fuel supply to electrode
Using micro porous layers that control the amount of fuel passing through them, this technology enables supplying highly concentrated fuel to the electrode and suppressing methanol “cross-over” which wastes fuel.

The Seoul city government will start constructing a hydrogen-fired power plant in World Cup Park in Seoul next May.

The 2.4 mega watt facility will generate electricity with hydrogen extracted from oil and gas. Such a method is considered environmentally friendly for emitting no sulfur oxide and other harmful chemicals.

A “Zero-Energy House,” where solar power and other environmentally friendly energies are used, as well as other power generation facilities using solar power and other “green energy” will be set up in the park. The city plans to promote the area as a landmark for next generation renewable energy.

The city plans to replace 10 percent of its energy consumption with renewable energy by 2020, of which 30 percent will be from hydrogen.

VANCOUVER– Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) today announced a supply agreement with Daimler AG for FCvelocity(TM) fuel cell products for Daimler AG’s fuel cell car and bus programs. The agreement provides for minimum revenue of approximately $24 million over eighteen months from April 2010, with roughly equal distribution in 2010 and 2011.John Sheridan, Ballard’s President & CEO said, “We are very pleased to be working with Daimler AG, a clear global leader in fuel cell car and bus programs.”

He continued, “Automotive is one of the most demanding power applications in terms of efficiency, reliability and safety. As such, this major fuel cell order for the automotive market provides further testimony of Ballard’s leading fuel cell product capabilities for commercial clean power applications in backup power, distributed generation and material handling.”

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) is a clean energy growth company with product leadership in fuel cell power solutions, focused on the material handling and stationary power markets. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.

Durability of the lateral stripe cell stack has been remarkably improved.
The durability test of the cell stack bundle was tested. From the test result, the developers were confident of securing the durability of the cell stack bundle corresponding to 5 years. The developers started the demonstration test of SOFC systems with lateral stripe cell stacks (referred to as lateral stripe type SOFC systems) from this month. The demonstration test is being conducted as part of the SOFC demonstration study project, which is under control of the NEF (new energy foundation).
The number of the lateral stripe type SOFC systems being currently demonstration tested is 2. Additional four SOFC systems will be subjected to the demonstration test in 2010.
The lateral stripe type SOFC system is scheduled to be commercialized in the early 2010s.

The following four companies are co-developing the lateral stripe type SOFC system.
Tokyo Gas (develops cell stack bundle, power generation unit, and hot water reserve tank)
Kyocera (develops cell stack bundle)
Rinnai (develops power generation unit and hot water reserve tank)
Gastar (develops power generation unit and hot water reserve tank)

Lateral Stripe Cell Stack
1) Structure
A number of cells are sintered on a ceramic substrate. Those cells are electrically connected in series on the substrate.
2) Advantageous Features

SOFC Demonstration Study Project
The SOFC demonstration study project is being conducted by NEF (new energy foundation). The project period ranges from 2007 to 2010. 67 “1-kW class SOFC systems” are currently demonstration-tested at 62 sites nationwide.
The project gathers data through demonstration tests and evaluates them to find technology development subjects. The SOFC systems are installed at general homes or the like and operated under real load conditions. Tokyo Gas has participated in the SOFC demonstration study project by using the SOFC systems manufactured by Kyocera. The company first provided to the project the SOFC systems using the lateral stripe cell stacks, which were designed using the company’s proprietary technologies.
TOYOTA and AISIN SEIKI recently announced that they provide 30 residential SOFC cogeneration systems to the SOFC demonstration study project, and will subject them to the demonstration tests. Specifically, those companies provide the SOFC cogenerators to five gas suppliers, including Tokyo Gas and Hokkaido Gas, and the gas suppliers install them at homes and field test them there. Commercialization of the residential SOFC cogenerators is scheduled to start also in the early 2010s. TOYOTA and AISIN SEIKI

ORIGIN ENERGY JOINS DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited [AIM/ASX: CFU], a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission electricity generation units for homes and other buildings, today announced that it has installed a BlueGen power and heating unit with VicUrban, the Victorian Government’s sustainable urban development agency.

The first BlueGen unit has been installed at a VicUrban sales office in the Aurora Housing Development in the Melbourne suburb of Epping. VicUrban’s Aurora project is the first six-star energy-efficient community development in Australia.

The BlueGen unit will be switched on in early January, generating low emission power and hot water from readily available natural gas.

Origin Energy has also joined in the demonstration project as VicUrban’s selected energy retailer. Origin Energy will buy back excess electricity generated by the VicUrban BlueGen units.

The Epping BlueGen unit is the first of three units that will be installed at VicUrban housing developments. All sites will showcase Ceramic Fuel Cells’ low-emission gas-to-electricity BlueGen products to the general public and commercial home builders.

The second BlueGen unit will be installed in VicUrban’s Sustainable and Affordable Living Centre in Dandenong, in mid 2010. The third BlueGen unit will be installed in another VicUrban site later in 2010.

BlueGen is the latest breakthrough in small scale electricity generation. About the size of a small washing machine, each BlueGen unit can produce up to 17,000 kilowatt hours of power a year – twice the electricity needed to power an average home. Surplus electricity can be exported back to the grid.

BlueGen units can generate electricity at up to three times the efficiency of the current Victorian power grid, significantly reducing each home’s carbon emissions and cutting energy bills.

The contract with VicUrban formalises a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Ceramic Fuel Cells and VicUrban when the BlueGen product was launched by Victorian Premier John Brumby in May 2009.

Place the hearing aid in a docking station. Wait 10 seconds while it fills 200 µl methanol and the hearing aid will have enough energy for 72 hours of use. Simultaneously, the inconvenient shift of zinc-batteries will become history and the environmental impact will be reduced to a minimum.

Højteknologi Fonden has just awarded DKK 15M for the project called MicroPowerDK submitted by Teknologisk Institut, DTU Nanotech, Kemisk Institut / iNANO Århus Universitet, and Widex A/S. During the next 3 years, the consortium will develop a ground-breaking Micro Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (µDMFC), which will be the size of a zinc battery.

The vision is to be the first in the world with a simple and user-friendly system with at least the same performance as a battery.

With 40 million users worldwide and a consumption of batteries around 4 billion a year, the market potential is obviously massive.

A big part of the development will take place in the cleanroom DTU Danchip in Lyngby, Denmark.

The micro fuel cell will be based on MEMS technology and Nano-based material technology will be used for manufacturing the membrane and the catalyst.

Written by Ken Kingery

MOSCOW, Idaho – Students and faculty at the University of Idaho soon will shine a light on what could be the next evolution of materials used for hydrogen fuel cells.

A really, really big light.

Supported by a three-year, $450,000 grant from the Department of Energy, the group will use the brightest x-ray beams in the western hemisphere to probe the most basic chemical properties of rhodium and ruthenium.

“We’re excited as hell,” said Tom Bitterwolf, professor of chemistry at the University of Idaho, who is leading the team of scientists from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., and Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago, Ill., as well as his own undergraduate and graduate students. “This study has never been done before. It’s on the outer edge of what is possible.”

Storing hydrogen for use in a fuel cell is not difficult. However, making that storage device light enough for applications such as hydrogen-powered cars is beyond modern science.

According to Bitterwolf, the key to bringing the future into today may rest in the ability to release hydrogen from a class of compounds called aminoboranes: very simple molecules that possess a high density of hydrogen.

One way to release this compound’s hydrogen is with a metal catalyst such as rhodium or ruthenium. In order to understand the reaction between the aminoboranes and these metals at the smallest scales imaginable, Bitterwolf plans to zap them with x-rays created by electrons traveling at nearly the speed of light.

Snapshots of chemical reactions are taken by analyzing the patterns of the x-rays interacting with the sample. But these are no ordinary snapshots. These images can be taken in a matter of a trillionth of a second – a very small period of time in which even light can travel only a single millimeter.

“One of the cool parts of this project is that it requires about a half-a-billion dollar light bulb,” explained Bitterwolf. “So the physics will be done with the Advanced Proton Source at Argonne. But the preparations and analytics will be done in Moscow and at PNNL.”

Making sense of the patterns made by the x-rays demands an enormous amount of computing power and experience using it. For this, Bitterwolf is teaming with long-time colleagues at PNNL who have tremendous expertise in doing the spectral interpretation.

But before the data can be collected at Argonne, just outside of Chicago, and interpreted in Richland, Wash., preparations must be made in Moscow, at University of Idaho labs.

For more than a year, graduate students have been doing preliminary studies to make sure the chemistry happens like it is supposed to. They’ve been preparing the samples, building computer clusters and practicing with the programs used for calculations.

Total preparation is necessary because using the x-ray beam lines at the Argonne lab is no small deal. The machine’s time is so valuable – thousands of dollars per hour – that it runs around the clock.

“It’s a beautiful collaborative project,” said Bitterwolf. “The Department of Energy is providing funding for us to use a national facility and we have two major national laboratories working with the University of Idaho. And it’s really cool chemistry. We’re very happy critters.”

The Egyptian design studio Pharos Marine has unveiled plans for a new 60 metre eco-friendly superyacht, Orcageno. The yacht is based around an advanced slender hull form with an axe bow, offering lower resistance due to low angle of entrance, excellent sea-keeping and a range of up to 13,000 nautical miles. The hull design is to have a minimal surface and hull wake, thus reducing its impact on sensitive marine life as well as shoreline erosion.

The hull is propelled by a hydrogen diesel-electric system. The benefit of hydrogen fuel is that it contains three times the energy to be found in diesel fuel as well having no carbon monoxide or dioxide in the exhaust (zero carbon foot print).

High safety standards are applied for hydrogen tanks to provide reliable operation conditions during loading and consumption of hydrogen fuel. The tanks are well isolated and fabricated from stress resistant material connected to each other by means of pipes and valves with sensors to indicate any leakage of hydrogen gas with a reliable shut down emergency system to ensure safety at all times.

The propulsion system uses a generator driven by a hydrogen-diesel internal combustion engine which can be operated by either hydrogen or diesel oil to provide power for the Azipod units. As a result, wide ranges can be obtained for hydrogen and diesel operation modes, at a speed of 10 knots, operating on hydrogen mode, it can reach more than 3500 nautical miles and at speed of 18 knots it can reach more than 1800 nautical miles. The forward slender spaces in the yacht are used efficiently for the storage of hydrogen tanks and tender boats.

Pharos Marine Ltd
+203 4251858
contact@pharos-marine.com
www.pharos-marine.com

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) extended the deadline of the Requirements for Fuel Storage Subsystems for Early Market Fuel Cell Applications Request for Information (RFI) to January 15, 2010.

On October 30, 2009, DOE issued the RFI to seek input from prospective fuel cell system users, fuel cell component and system suppliers, and other stakeholders on performance and cost requirements for fuel storage subsystems for near-term, early market fuel cell applications (e.g., for mobile applications such as forklifts, stationary back-up power, and portable power).

This RFI is intended to be “fuel neutral” with a focus on defining the fuel storage needs and requirements for early market fuel cell applications to facilitate successful market transformation in a competitive environment. This information will be used by DOE in a preliminary assessment and ultimate determination of the storage system performance requirements.

To respond to this RFI, read the Request for Information (PDF 133 KB), respond to the four questions/issues on page four, and send an e-mail to StorageTargets2009@ee.doe.gov with the responses attached using Microsoft Word (.doc) format by January 15, 2010.

Awards Support Ohio’s Growing Fuel Cell Industry Leadership

Columbus – Governor Ted Strickland, Eric Fingerhut, Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents and Chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, and Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development and commission member, today recommended $6.38 million in funding through the Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program.

“Ohio Third Frontier is building a dynamic fuel cell network capable of meeting the demands of the new energy economy,” Strickland said. “Ohio’s leadership position in the fuel cell sector is because of strong collaboration with our industry partners and a commitment to creating jobs and companies that help strengthen Ohio’s position as a global energy leader.”

The Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program supports research and development that addresses the technical and cost barriers to fuel cell components and systems commercialization in Ohio. The awards are contingent upon State Controlling Board approval.

“These partnerships in the emerging fuel cell industry add to the Ohio Third Frontier’s proven track record of catalyzing research into innovation, and innovation into jobs,” said Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut. “The alignment of higher education with Ohio’s businesses will give companies an edge in the global marketplace.”

The Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program accelerates the development and growth of the fuel cell industry in Ohio by direct financial support to organizations seeking to: investigate near-term specific commercial objectives with respect to products, processes, or services; commercialize new products, commercialize manufacturing processes or technologies, or adapt or modify existing components or systems that can reduce the cost of fuel cell systems or address technical and commercialization barriers; or demonstrate market readiness.

“Through our targeted investments, Ohio is creating a vibrant fuel cell industry from end-users to integrators, and material suppliers to component suppliers,” said Patt-McDaniel. “Ohio Third Frontier assists in developing the leading-edge research, development, and testing facilities that support the growth of Ohio’s robust fuel cell network.”

Fiscal Year 2010 Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program Awards:

Energy Technologies, Inc., located in the City of Mansfield (Richland County), in collaboration with Energy Conversion Devices, was awarded $1 million for its Testing Metal Hydride Fuel Cells project. The objective of this project is to develop and verify testing process and verification tools necessary to demonstrate the manufacturing repeatability of metal hydride fuel cell systems and their key subcomponents.

Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc., located in the City of North Canton (Stark County), in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University, was awarded $999,770 for its Reliability of Fuel Cells for Megawatt Scale SOFC Power Systems project. This project will determine the long-term reliability of the Rolls-Royce solid oxide fuel cell. A method to predict performance will be developed so that qualification of the solid oxide fuel cell can be accelerated, and thereby reduce the time for entry into commercial stationary power markets.

NexTech Materials, Ltd., located in Lewis Center (Delaware County), in collaboration with The Ohio State University and Hocking Technical College, was awarded $1.49 million for its Improving Manufacturing Readiness of NexTech’s Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack Technology project. In this project, a key piece of fuel cell manufacturing equipment will be installed at Hocking College’s Energy Institute providing a facility at Hocking College that will support NexTech and other Ohio companies in a range of energy generation and storage applications. NexTech will also design and manufacture mechanically robust and efficient stacks for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. The program is predicted to attract follow-on investment of over $50 million, and to create 156 high-paying jobs by 2016.

Wellman Products Group, a Division of Hawk Corporation, located in the City of Solon (Cuyahoga County), in collaboration with UTC Power, a division of United Technologies Corporation, was awarded $893,252 for its Phosphoric Fuel Cell Stack Cost Reduction project. The goal of this project is to lower the material costs of the integrated separator plates (ISPs) that will be incorporated into UTC Power’s new PureCell® 400 System, power plants by employing lower cost raw materials and processing methods.

Lockheed Martin MS2 Integrated Defense Technologies, located in the City of Akron (Summit County), in collaboration with Technology Management, Inc., was awarded $1 million for its Military Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Ruggedization project. This project will accelerate time to market for solid oxide fuel cell based generator sets (gensets) and auxiliary power units (APUs) to the U.S. Department of Defense, which is an early adopter with a pressing need for the basic value proposition.. This will result in jobs at Lockheed Martin in Akron, as well as at Technology Management, Inc. and other partners in the Ohio fuel cell supply chain within the next five years.

UltraCell Corporation, located in the City of Vandalia (Montgomery County), in collaboration with the University of Dayton Research Institute and Mound Technical Solutions, was awarded $1 million for its Transitioning the UltraCell XX55® 55-Watt Fuel Cell from Beta Design to Commercial Product Through Manufacturing project. This project will focus on implementing efforts to transition manufacturing of the XX55® from UltraCell’s research and development facility in California to its manufacturing plant in Ohio.

BOTHELL, Wash., — Neah Power Systems, Inc., (OTCBB:NPWZ – News), www.neahpower.com, the Company developing fuel cell-based renewable energy, announced that its patented, porous, silicon-based anaerobic fuel cell reached 1500 hours of constant operation on November 15th, 2009. The test, part of a series of ongoing technology demonstrations, further demonstrates that the company’s fuel cell is a reliable alternative to existing power solutions, including traditional batteries.

Neah Power has maintained a consistent schedule of improvements in their direct methanol fuel cell technology, including this recent demonstration, which required improvements to the fuel cell over previous prototypes. “On October 27th, after 1163 hours of continuous run time, we examined the cell to determine the source of decay, discovering that the fuel stream had not been filtered,” says Dr. Tsali Cross, VP of Engineering at Neah Power. “We cleaned the cell and restarted it, this time with a fuel filter in-line. After 1500 hours, the cell is now putting out as much power as the day we started.”.

Neah’s direct methanol fuel cell has far exceeded the design team’s expectations and will continue to lead the field of alternative power solutions as it maintains long lasting, successful power generation.

“We continue to be amazed, but not surprised, by the progress and success of our design and the fuel cell’s performance,” says Dr. Chris D’Couto, CEO of Neah Power. “We are confident that our fuel cell technology will continue to improve in terms of operational quality and run time towards the goal of commercialization in myriad consumer, military and industrial applications. This milestone for our technology is significant as fuel cells continue to gain ground as the future of power solutions.”

About NEAH Power

NEAH Power Systems, Inc. (NPWZ) is developing long-lasting, efficient and safe power solutions for the military and for portable electronic devices. NEAH uses a unique, patented, silicon-based design for its micro fuel cells that enable higher power densities, lower cost and compact form-factors. The company’s micro fuel cell system can run in aerobic and anaerobic modes.

Further company information can be found at www.neahpower.com.

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited [AIM/ASX: CFU], a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission
electricity generation units for homes and other buildings, has successfully obtained financing for
part of the costs of its volume manufacturing plant. The plant is located in the Industriepark
Oberbruch, 40 minutes’ drive from Dusseldorf in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany,
and was officially opened in October 2009.

Ceramic Fuel Cells has received a regional development grant of €1,386,000 from the Government
of North Rhine Westphalia. The funding, which has been received by Ceramic Fuel Cells, requires
the Company to meet certain requirements as to expenditure on construction of the plant and the
creation of jobs. The company has already met the requirement regarding the expenditure on the
plant and expects to employ more people at the plant to meet increasing demand.

Ceramic Fuel Cells has also entered a financing lease with German banking group Commerzbank
over some of the equipment at the Heinsberg plant. Under this arrangement Ceramic Fuel Cells has
received net funding of €1,528,849.

The total net funds to be received by Ceramic Fuel Cells under both arrangements is €2,914,849.
The volume manufacturiung plant has a design capacity of 10,000 fuel cell stacks per year, using
state of the art automated manufacturing equipment. All pieces of equipment have been
commissioned on-site and are operational.

Speaking at the official plant opening on 2 October 2009, Dr Jens Baganz, State Secretary for the
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, said: "Fuel cells
with high efficiency are a key technology of the future with significant economic potential. In
Oberbruch it is now possible that a future industry can be developed. Given the global challenges of
climate change, there are very promising market opportunities for fuel cell technology."

VANCOUVER– Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) announced that it has closed an agreement effective today with a financial institution to monetize its rights under the Share Purchase Agreement with Ford Motor Company (Ford) relating to Ballard’s 19.9% equity interest in Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation Corp. (AFCC). Ballard will receive total gross proceeds of approximately $44.5 million: a $37 million payment today and a further contingent payment of $7.5 million due upon maturation of the Share Purchase Agreement on or before January 31, 2013. Ballard’s receipt of the contingent payment is subject to the financial institution’s rights in the transaction remaining unsubordinated.

Bruce Cousins, Ballard’s Chief Financial Officer said, “Given the recent improvement in public debt market conditions and Ford’s credit rating, we believe that this is the appropriate time to monetize this non-core investment”.

John Sheridan, Ballard’s President & CEO said, “The cash proceeds from this transaction bolster Ballard’s strong balance sheet and strengthen our positioning to execute our clean energy growth priorities in backup power, supplemental power, distributed generation and motive power applications”.

Ballard expects to book a gain associated with this transaction of approximately $34 million in its fourth quarter results. This transaction does not affect Ballard’s business relationships with AFCC, Daimler, Ford, and their affiliates. Ballard will continue to supply technical services and fuel cell components and modules.

Background

As part of the monetization agreement, Ballard has pledged its shares in AFCC and assigned its right to “put” or sell those shares to Ford for $65 million plus interest after January 31, 2013. The value of the monetization of the agreement with a financial institution was determined based on a number of variables, including Ford’s cost of borrowing, expected future London Interbank Offered Rates (LIBOR), time remaining to the Share Purchase Agreement’s maturity date and general market and other conditions. All required approvals from Daimler AG, Ford and AFCC were received prior to the closing of this transaction. Ballard’s intellectual property rights are unaffected by this transaction.

Lazard Freres & Co. LLC acted as a financial advisor to Ballard for the transaction.

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) is a clean energy growth company with product leadership in fuel cell power solutions, initially on the material handling and stationary power markets. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com

NREL’s Hydrogen Technologies and Systems Center spearheaded developing the Fuel Cell Power (FCPower) Model for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fuel Cell Technologies Program.

The FCPower Model is a financial tool for analyzing high-temperature, fuel cell-based tri-generation (combined heat, hydrogen, and power) systems, which can play an important role in early fuel cell markets. Case study data for the FCPower Model include building energy load profiles and solar/wind resource profiles for U.S. cities in eight climate zones.

Learn more about fuel cell power analysis and how to download and use the Fuel Cell Power Model case study data.

staxera and EBZ have begun a joint SOFC system development program, focusing on high electrical efficiency and based on steam reforming of natural gas.  The commercial focus of this program is a 20 kW system with an electrical efficiency of between 50 and 60%.  The basic design will also be used to develop other products such as systems which operate on biogas or landfill gas.

The first phase of the program involves the construction and testing of a system demonstrator based on a peak stack power of 3 kW, using two of staxera’s integrated stack modules (ISMs).  The system demonstrator has been in operation since September 2009, and is at present using two of staxera’s 1.1 kW ISMs.  With this configuration the peak stack power has been measured at over 2 kW, which matches expectations.  The full design power of 3 kW will be demonstrated in 2010, when the 1.5 kW ISMs become available.

staxera will use this system demonstrator to analyze and characterize the performance and operation of the ISM when fuelled with steam-reformed natural gas.  Additionally, EBZ and staxera offer the system demonstrator as a commercial product, which provides customers with an ideal method of gaining SOFC experience in a system-relevant environment.

In order to accelerate the development and marketing of the system, staxera and EBZ welcome other partners to join their cooperation.

Bern Township-based industrial-battery firm EnerSys said it has made an investment in Altergy Systems, Folsom, Calif., a maker of advanced fuel-cell systems.

The amount of the investment was not disclosed.

It said EnerSys will be exclusive distributor of the Extended Run Time Solution standby power system – combining EnerSys’ PowerSafe batteries and Altergy’s Freedom Power hydrogen fuel cells – to certain markets and regions, including telecommunications and uninterruptable power supply markets.

“We expect that this investment will create a revenue stream for EnerSys, with the opportunity to supply the new hybrid markets, complement existing offerings and provide new opportunities for our service offerings,” said John D. Craig, EnerSys’ chairman, president and chief executive.

Revolve Technologies has demonstrated its hydrogen-powered Ford Transit at the Eco Summit in Copenhagen.

The company developed the zero emission Transit using a conventional internal combustion petrol engine, two of which are expected to begin operator trials with the Royal Mail via CENEX shortly.

Bill Waddell, Revolve’s business development manager, said: “We see the internal combustion engine as a stepping stone in the route to use hydrogen as an alternative fuel. The fact is that we can adapt proven technology to use hydrogen – the technology is here and available today.”

Also at the event was author of The Book of Rubbish Ideas, Tracey Smith.

She added: “The new vehicle technologies are incredibly exciting and there’s no doubt hydrogen will be part of the solution. What’s reassuring from a performance point of view is that there are no compromises in terms of performance, you really can’t tell the difference between the van running on unleaded or hydrogen, except you sit happily in the knowledge that you’ve not produced a droplet of carbon with the latter.

A new carbon support that greatly increases the durability of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells has been developed by scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Princeton University. This new material significantly improves the stability of the fuel cell catalyst and will potentially lower the cost of these fuel cells. This breakthrough research hit number one on the most-downloaded list of Electrochemistry Communications articles this fall.

Currently, proton-exchange membrane fuel cells are not widely used because of the high manufacturing cost and relatively low endurance. To be commercially viable, the cost needs to be dramatically reduced. These new carbon supports might do just that.

Transmission electron microscopic image of small platinum catalyst particles supported on a functionalized graphene sheet.

Inside today’s fuel cell, platinum catalyzes the reaction. The conditions inside the fuel cell are pretty harsh: high pressure, high temperature. Under these conditions, some of the platinum particles fly off the support, making them unavailable to speed the reactions. Some of the particles clump together. When this happens, the particles present less surface area. And, it is on the surface where the reaction happens. So, less surface area, less catalysis. The team investigated a new type of support.

For this study, they sliced graphite, similar to the carbon in a pencil, into single atomic layers to form dense wrinkled sheets called functionalized graphene sheets.

Then, they treated these sheets with the platinum catalyst. Using a transmission electron microscope, they saw the difference in how the catalysts particles were attached to the graphene sheets and a commercial support. The images clearly showed a uniform distribution of much smaller platinum nanoparticles on the graphene. Using an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, they proved the graphene has more functional groups available to bind the platinum catalyst compared to the commercial support. Both of these instruments are at DOE’s EMSL, a scientific user facility located at PNNL.

Their conclusion was that the graphene sheets have a stronger metal-support interaction and produced smaller catalysts particles that were more resistant to degradation. Functionalized graphene sheets could potentially lead to a more stable, efficient, and lower-cost fuel cell.

This study lays the foundation for future work with this promising carbon material. Future research will focus on increasing the efficiency of the material fabrication and the durability of the graphene sheets.

More information: R Kou, Y Shao, D Wang, MH Engelhard, JH Kwak, J Wang, VV Viswanathan, C Wang, Y Lin, Y Wang, IA Aksay, and J Liu. 2009. “Enhanced activity and stability of Pt catalysts on functionalized graphene sheets for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction.” Electrochemistry Communications, Volume 11, Issue 5, May 2009, Pages 954-957.

Trulite will relocate in city; move could eventually bring up to 1,000 jobs