Protonex Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of high performance fuel cell power sources for portable and remote applications, and Millennium Cell Inc. (NASDAQ: MCEL), a leading developer of hydrogen energy systems, have delivered the first fully-integrated 30 Watt portable fuel cell power system fueled by chemical hydride cartridges to the U.S. Air Force. This portable power system(P1), is the first deliverable under a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Dual Use Science and Technology (DUST) contract awarded to Protonex. The system integrates Millennium Cell’s hydrogen energy system into Protonex’s PEM fuel cell platform to provide a fuel cell power source for soldiers on extended field missions.
“The delivery of P1 midway through the DUST program, represents a significant milestone in the development of soldier power systems,” said Thom Reitz, Research Leader, Fuel Cells for the Air Force Research Lab. “The Air Force is very interested in evaluating this system as a means for significantly reducing the overall power system weight burden carried by the war fighter. We are looking forward to testing P1 and providing feedback to advance the technology to the next readiness level for the final deliverable due later in 2005.”
The P1 unit represents a substantial improvement in energy density and cost over the batteries currently used by the U.S. Military. Today, to fulfill the requirement for 30 watts of continuous power for a 72-hour mission, soldiers carry 13 primary batteries weighing over 29 pounds. The P1 system is capable of meeting these power requirements at less than 50% of the weight (including fuel cell platform and snap-in fuel cartridges).
“This is an important milestone for both companies,” commented Adam Briggs, Senior Vice President, Millennium Cell. “Later in 2005, we expect to deliver a next generation system to the Air Force that will further reduce the weight of the power system with its cartridges to less than 10 pounds. The benefits of this power solution will also be attractive in many other military and commercial markets that need reliable, long lasting sources of energy.”
http://www.protonex.com
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