USAF Continues Fuel Cell Research

Posted on: May. 1st, 2006 || Source: millenniumcell.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

EATONTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2006--Millennium Cell Inc. (NASDAQ: MCEL), a leading developer of hydrogen battery technology, today announced that it has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research Program ("SBIR") contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory ("AFRL") to develop a sodium borohydride based fuel cartridge design that has the flexibility to operate with either ready-to-use, premixed solutions of sodium borohydride, or alternatively, with solid fuel packets that a warfighter can combine with available field water or bodily fluids. This deliverable is a key step on the pathway to development of a lightweight, high-energy and cost effective portable power source for the military.

The ability to ship cartridges containing dry sodium borohydride fuel which can be mixed with an available water supply at point of use would result in a significant reduction in weight to be handled by the military's supply chain as well as provide a direct benefit to the warfighter in the field. The results of this work will help the military determine the best option for re-fueling and distributing man-portable hydrogen batteries such as Protonex Technology Corporation's 30-watt portable soldier power system ("P2"), particularly those deployed in remote locations or extreme situations. A program to study use of field water in larger systems was awarded to Millennium Cell by the U.S. Army in November of last year.

"We welcome the U.S. Air Force's leadership and vision in funding the development of our hydrogen battery technology for use in a variety of military applications," commented Adam P. Briggs, Millennium Cell President. "This new program will provide the military with a flexible fuel cartridge design which can be shipped dry and field hydrated. When dry, this system will be one-fifth of the weight of the batteries in use today, enabling significant logistical and operational flexibility over incumbent and alternative power sources."

Dr. Thom Reitz, AFRL Program Manager added, "The Air Force is aggressively pursuing innovative ideas and major performance advances in power generation and energy storage. Technologies such as those proposed by Millennium Cell could enable significant increases in energy density reducing the weight burden to airmen in the field."

About Millennium Cell

Millennium Cell develops hydrogen battery technology through a patented chemical process that safely stores and delivers hydrogen energy to power portable devices. The borohydride-based technology can be scaled to fit any application requiring high energy density for a long run time in a compact space. The Company is working with market partners to meet demand for its patented process in four areas: military, medical, industrial and consumer electronics. For more information, visit http://millenniumcell.com.

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