Hydrogenics Corporation (Nasdaq: HYGS; TSX: HYG), a designer and manufacturer of hydrogen and fuel cell systems, has sold a light weight 5kW hydrogen/oxygen Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack to the NASA Glenn Research Center, which will use it in an experimental closed cycle hydrogen-oxygen regenerative fuel cell.
This type of system can be used for energy storage in places where oxygen is not easily available, such as very high altitude, space or underwater environments. NASA will use this stack as part of its research program to understand how the regenerative fuel cell will operate in future aerospace applications.
"Our expertise and experience in this range of PEM stacks was an important part of the reason why NASA chose us," said Pierre Rivard, President and CEO of Hydrogenics Corporation. "Hydrogenics has been developing PEM stacks for over eight years and this is a testament to the state of our proprietary technology. This sale has the potential to open the door to other sales of this light weight hydrogen fuel cell technology, particularly for aerospace and underwater applications, where weight is a consideration."
This is Hydrogenics' first hydrogen-oxygen PEM stack sale. The stack was designed to be very light, which is critical for this type of application.
The NASA Glenn Research Center is responsible for developing and transferring critical technologies that address national priorities in aero- propulsion and space applications. Its work is focused on research for new aero-propulsion technologies, aerospace power, microgravity science, electric propulsion, and communications technologies for aeronautics, space, and aerospace applications.