Fuel Cells Today articles from July 2003

Fuel Cells Today archives from July 2003

FuelCell Energy Receives $1.45 Million in Contract Funding.
July 1, 2003... Direct FuelCell (DFC) stationary fuel cell power plant developer FuelCell Energy, Inc. (FCE) recently announced it has been awarded four government contracts worth $1.45 million. According to FCE, the small business program awards are all aimed...

Alberta Institute to Head Fuel Cell Research Project.
July 1, 2003... The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) recently announced plans to lead a $3.3-million public/private partnership to study the use of high-voltage fuel cell technologies. Under the partnership, which includes the government of...

GTI, Quantum Settle Dispute With Enbridge.
July 1, 2003... Global Thermoelectric, Inc. (GTI) recently announced that, working in conjunction with Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., it has "settled legal action commenced by Enbridge, Inc. (the owner of all outstanding [GTI] Series 2...

CA Company, University Start Hydrogen Project.
July 2, 2003... The University of Regina (UR) in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan recently announced it has joined with new local company HTC Hydrogen Thermochem Corporation to initiate a $480,000, three-year project aimed at developing a cost-effective...

Opcon to Supply Ballard with Fuel Cell Compressor Units.
July 2, 2003... Swedish air systems company Opcon Autorotor recently announced plans to provide Ballard Power Systems with air compressors and expanders for its automotive fuel cell engine line. "This new order from Ballard shows that fuel cells are...

OEMC to Host FC Open House Events in July, August.
July 2, 2003... The Colorado Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC) recently announced it will host four open-house events at the Washington Park Fire Station in Denver, CO on various dates in July and August to demonstrate the...

Gore Says Ionomers Improve MEA Performance.
July 3, 2003... Elkton, MD-based Gore Fuel Cell Technologies, Inc. recently touted its ionomers for various membrane electrode assembly (MEA) applications, noting that they have led to recent improvements in MEA performance and durability. "This is one of...

DTE to Provide Remote Monitoring Service to Plug Power.
July 3, 2003... DTE Energy Technologies recently announced plans to begin providing its "energy|now" system operations center (SOC), a remote-monitoring and control service, to fuel cell manufacturer Plug Power as a service option on all future on-site...

UW Researchers Engineer New Low-Cost Hydrogen Catalyst.
July 3, 2003... The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) recently announced that a team of university chemical and biological engineers has discovered a nickel-tin catalyst "that can replace the precious metal platinum in a new, environmentally sustainable,...

Plug Power Introduces New LPG-Fueled FC System.
July 8, 2003... Plug Power, Inc. recently announced the introduction of the GenSys 5P, a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-fueled, five-kilowatt, grid-parallel fuel cell (FC) system, which the company said "is being marketed to an audience that includes rural...

Quantum FSTW Announces Fourth Quarter, Year-End Results.
July 8, 2003... Irvine, CA-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (Quantum FSTW) recently announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended April 30, with quarterly revenues of $7.4 million. The company said net loss for...

Yamaha to Develop Methanol FC-Powered Motorcycle.
July 8, 2003... Yamaha Motor Company, Ltd. president Toru Hasegawa recently announced that Yamaha plans to develop a new methanol fuel cell (FC) for use in its small motorcycles in an effort to improve company sales. "In the long run, we aim to raise our...

Millennium Cell Receives Sodium Borohydride Patent.
July 9, 2003... Millennium Cell, Inc. recently announced it has been awarded U.S. patent number 6,586,563 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a process for making sodium borohydride, "a key component in the Millennium Cell Hydrogen on Demand fuel...

Hoku Signs FC Development Agreement with Sanyo Electric.
July 9, 2003... Honolulu, HI-based fuel cell (FC) membrane technology developer Hoku Scientific, Inc. recently announced it has joined with Japan's Sanyo Electric Company, Ltd. to develop a new membrane electrode assembly (MEA) technology for use in Sanyo's...

Bruce Power Acquires Interest in General Hydrogen.
July 9, 2003... Tiverton, Ontario-based Bruce Power recently announced its acquisition of British Energy's 3.4-percent interest in General Hydrogen Corporation (USA) for $4 million. According to Bruce Power, the acquisition follows British Energy's decision to...

Palcan Selects Century Communications for Publicity Effort.
July 10, 2003... Vancouver, British Columbia-based Palcan Fuel Cells, Ltd. recently announced it has selected Century Communications Corporation to lead the company's efforts to elevate its "global profile by creating increased awareness among the media,...

AEC, SMT Sign Fuel Cell Technology Agreement.
July 10, 2003... Alternate Energy Corporation (AEC) recently announced it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Mississauga, Ontario-based Select Molecular Technologies, Inc. (SMT) to "explore a sharing of technologies to create a new and novel method of...

Linde Gas Signs Supplier Agreement with Vandenborre.
July 10, 2003... Toronto, Ontario-based "hydrogen solutions" developer Stuart Energy Systems Corporation recently announced that its Vandenborre Technologies NV subsidiary has signed a "preferred supplier agreement" with Linde Gas, a division of Wiesenbaden,...

NanoDynamics Develops New SOFC Processing Technique.
July 11, 2003... Buffalo, NY-based NanoDynamics, Inc. recently announced the development of a new processing technique that "will allow a sintered solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) to produce electrical power at temperatures significantly below the operating...

Arotech Subsidiary Achieves Milestone in EB Program.
July 11, 2003... Arotech Corporation recently announced that its Electric Fuel subsidiary's Electric Vehicle Division has reached a milestone in the third phase of its Federal Transit Administration (FTA)-supported Zinc-Air Electric Transit Bus program, which...

GM, FedEx Launch One-Year Test of FCV in Japan.
July 11, 2003... General Motors Corporation (GM) and FedEx Express recently launched a one-year test program that will examine the performance of a GM HydroGen3 fuel cell vehicle (FCV) used for regular delivery service in the Marunouchi and Kasumigaseki...

IL Officials Launch New Illinois 2H2 Group.
July 14, 2003... The Illinois Coalition, a statewide public-private partnership established to "drive Illinois' economic growth through science and technology," recently announced the launch of Illinois 2H2, an organization established by the coalition and...

Honda Considering Plans to Cooperate on FCV Development.
July 14, 2003... Honda Motor Company president Takeo Fukui recently acknowledged that the Japanese automaker is considering plans to join with companies outside the automobile industry to develop fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). "Various forms of cooperation are...

Nippon Shokubai, Sulzer Hexis Agree to Extend Supply Deal.
July 14, 2003... Under a revised three-year supply agreement slated to begin in 2004, Nippon Shokubai Company, Ltd., a Japanese manufacturer of polymers, chemicals, and catalysts, has agreed to continue supplying electrolytes to solid oxide fuel cell developer,...

CaFCP Extends Group Charter Through 2007.
July 15, 2003... The California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP), a voluntary effort created to "demonstrate fuel cell-powered electric vehicles under real day-to-day driving conditions,...demonstrate the viability of an alternative fuel infrastructure technology,...

Boeing Announces Partners for Fuel Cell Airplane Project.
July 15, 2003... Madrid, Spain-based Boeing Research and Technology Center (BRTC) recently announced it will partner with five other companies and two Spanish universities on a project "aimed at exploring the use of fuel cell technology for future aerospace...

Headwaters Forms FC Development JV with DICP.
July 15, 2003... South Jordan, UT-based Headwaters, Inc. recently announced it has formed a joint venture (JV) with China's Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) to develop and commercialize "small, durable and cost-efficient fuel cells (FCs) for portable...

UQM Awarded DOE Contract to Develop HEV, FCV Motors.
July 16, 2003... Frederick, CO-based UQM Technologies, Inc. recently announced it has been awarded a two-year, $750,000 contract from the Department of Energy (DOE) to "continue the development of a modular line of high-performance motors" for hybrid electric...

Aichi Expo to Experiment with Waste-Powered FCs.
July 16, 2003... Organizers of the 2005 World Exposition to be held March 25 through September 25, 2005 in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, recently announced plans to experiment with a new power generation system utilizing both fuel cells powered by food waste and...

Hong Kong Company to Launch Hydrogen-Powered Bus.
July 16, 2003... China's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings, Ltd. recently announced plans to operate an experimental, 41-seat hydrogen-powered Ford Motor Company bus in Hong Kong later this year. The company said the one-year experiment, which Cheung Kong...

Honda Leases FCV to Iwatani International.
July 17, 2003... Honda Motor Company recently announced it delivered an FCX fuel cell vehicle (FCV) to Japanese hydrogen manufacturer Iwatani International Corporation during a ceremony at a hydrogen fueling station in Tokyo earlier this month. The...

Scientists Develop New Hydrogen Storage Material.
July 17, 2003... Hiroshima University (HU) researchers recently announced the development of a new substance that can store three times more hydrogen than current materials, a finding that could lead to safer and lighter storage tanks for fuel cell vehicles....

Astris Energi Expands Czech FC Facility.
July 17, 2003... Mississauga, Ontario-based Astris Energi, Inc., a developer of alkaline fuel cell (FC) technology, recently announced that its Astris s.r.o. subsidiary in the Czech Republic is expanding its operations. The Czech facility has developed FC...

FCE Announces Carbonate Fuel Cell Partnership in Europe.
July 18, 2003... Danbury, CT-based FuelCell Energy, Inc. (FCE) recently announced a joint venture between German electric utility RWE AG, and MTU, FCE's European technology and distribution partner, to market carbonate fuel cells in Europe. FCE said the...

Palcan Signs Joint FC Marketing Deal With Nagase.
July 18, 2003... Vancouver, British Columbia-based fuel cell (FC) and metal hydride hydrogen storage product developer and manufacturer Palcan Fuel Cells recently announced it has signed a joint marketing agreement with Japan's Nagase & Company, Ltd. to...

CGC to Supply Graphite for E-Fuel Bi-Polar Plates.
July 18, 2003... Vancouver, British Columbia-based Crystal Graphite Corporation (CGC) recently announced it will supply United Kingdom-based fuel cell (FC) system developer E-Fuel Technology, Ltd. with "high-purity graphite for the [manufacture] of bi-polar...

H2Gen Appoints Rush as New CEO.
July 21, 2003... Alexandria, VA-based H2Gen Innovations, Inc., a leading manufacturer of hydrogen generators, recently appointed Barney Rush as the company's new chief executive officer. Previously, Rush served as CEO of Mirant Europe, an electric power...

FCT, SWPC Sign Joint Development Agreement.
July 21, 2003... Fuel Cell Technologies, Ltd. (FCT) recently announced it has signed an "expanded" joint development agreement with Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation (SWPC) relating to a five-kilowatt (kW) fuel cell system and covering a three-year period,...

Japanese Companies to Jointly Develop FCs for Motor Scooters.
July 21, 2003... Japanese official recently reported that motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha Motor Company and battery maker Yuasa Corporation will jointly develop fuel cells for 50 cubic centimeter (cc)-class motor scooters. Officials said Yuasa will supply...

FCT Installs 'Fumes-to-Fuel' System at Ford Plant.
July 22, 2003... Kingston, Ontario-based Fuel Cell Technologies, Ltd. (FCT) recently announced the installation of its pilot volatile organic compound (VOC) reformer and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system at Ford Motor Company's Dearborn Assembly Plant in...

FC Manufacturer Receives Employee Training Grant.
July 22, 2003... Albany-based MTI MicroFuel Cells, Inc., a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology, Inc., recently announced it has received a $41,000 grant from New York State to fund advanced education courses for its employees. The award was presented through...

DOE to Award $75 Million for FC Research Projects.
July 22, 2003... The Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced it has selected 13 "firms and educational institutions" in 12 states to receive $75 million in "cost-shared awards" to fund advanced research in fuel cell (FC) technology for vehicles, buildings...

Hydrogen Energy Innovator Relaunches Company.
July 23, 2003... Roger Billings, who formed Billings Energy Corporation in 1973 "as the vehicle for his...work in hydrogen energy technology" and sold the company in 1984 "when...he realized the world was not yet ready for hydrogen energy," recently announced...

Masterflex Awarded Airbus Deutschland FC Contract.
July 23, 2003... Gelsenkirchen, Germany-based Masterflex AG recently announced it has been awarded a contract from Airbus Deutschland GmbH for "the development and construction of a fuel cell [(FC)] system." "This system will allow to test areas where [FCs]...

No Hydrogen Station to Fuel FC Buses in London.
July 23, 2003... A planning committee in the London, England borough of Havering recently rejected an application for Britain's first hydrogen refueling station. The site, outside the borough's town of Romford, would have supplied hydrogen for three fuel...

Avista Labs Secures $7.5 Million in Independent Financing.
July 24, 2003... Spokane, WA-based fuel cell developer Avista Labs recently announced it has secured $7.5 million in its first round of independent financing to "provide the necessary capital to support [the] continuing development and commercialization of its...

Quantum Receives DOE Award for Hydrogen Storage.
July 24, 2003... Irvine, CA-based Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. recently announced it will receive a Department of Energy award of up to $2.6 to advance the company's hydrogen storage technology. "Quantum's award is focused on overcoming...

UC-Berkeley Researchers Question Benefit of FCVs.
July 24, 2003... The University of California-Berkeley (UC-Berkeley) recently announced that Alex Farrell, assistant professor of energy and resources at UC-Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon University associate professor of engineering and public policy David...

UQM To Display E-Plane at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2003.
July 25, 2003... Frederick, CO-based UQM Technologies, Inc. (UQM) recently announced that the fuel cell-powered E-Plane, equipped with a UQM permanent magnet electric motor and power electronic controller, will be displayed during the Experimental Aircraft...

Sweet Promoted to President at PES.
July 25, 2003... Wallingford, CT-based fuel cell manufacturer Proton Energy Systems, Inc. (PES) recently announced the promotion of Larry Sweet to president. The company said Sweet's promotion is part of an overall reorganization in anticipation of the PES'...

Millennium Cell Reports 2nd-Quarter Financial Results.
July 25, 2003... Eatontown, NJ-based Millennium Cell, Inc. recently announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, reporting a quarterly adjusted net loss of $3.7 million, or 12 cents per share, compared to an adjusted net loss of $3.1...

Intertech to Host Capacitor Conference in D.C.
July 25, 2003... Intertech Corporation will host a three-day conference on electrochemical capacitor (EC) storage devices August 11 through 13 at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. The company said the conference, titled "2003 World Summit on...

MTI Receives Award From NYSERDA to Advance FCs.
July 28, 2003... Albany, NY-based MTI MicroFuel Cells, Inc. (MTI) recently announced it has received a $200,000 award from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to help advance the manufacturability of MTI's micro fuel cell (FC)...

Enova to Develop FC Bus at HI Air Force Base.
July 28, 2003... Torrance, CA-based fuel cell (FC) power management system developer Enova Systems recently announced it has received a $600,000 contract from Hawaii's High Technology Development Corporation to "develop new technologies for heavy-duty mobile...

TIAX Wins $2-Million Contract to Develop SOFCs.
July 28, 2003... Cambridge, MA-based technology development firm TIAX recently announced it has received a $2-million contract from the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to advance the development of solid oxide fuel...

Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Invests $450,000 in GenCell.
July 29, 2003... Southbury, CT-based fuel cell (FC) designer and manufacturer GenCell Corporation recently announced it has received a $450,000 investment from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) to further the commercialization of FC technologies...

PES Launches Online Store for Hydrogen Generators.
July 29, 2003... Wallingford, CT-based Proton Energy Systems (PES) recently announced it has begun selling company products via the PES website, located on the Web at http://www.protonenergy.com. Officials said customers now may order the company's various...

Researchers Develop New FC Electrolyte Membrane.
July 29, 2003... Researchers at Japan's Nagoya Institute of Technology (NIT) recently announced the development of a new glass-based electrolyte membrane for fuel cell (FC) batteries that could potentially lead to lower prices for FCs. NIT assistant...

DuPont Receives DOE Funds for FC Research.
July 30, 2003... DE-based E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (DuPont) recently announced it will receive $7 million over three years through the Department of Energy's hydrogen fuel initiative to develop a 40,000-hour proton exchange membrane fuel cell (FC) stack....

Automakers Work to Solve Hydrogen Safety Issues.
July 30, 2003... Automotive News Europe recently reported that automakers are diligently working to solve hydrogen safety issues in order for the public to accept the fuel as a renewable, pollution-free alternative to petroleum. Companies such as Toyota...

Former Ballard Directors Form FC Consultancy.
July 30, 2003... David Watkins and Clarence Chow, former technical directors of Ballard Power Systems' advanced systems and transportation programs, recently announced they have joined forces to establish a new fuel cell (FC) consulting company. The...

Ballard Reports 2nd-quarter, 1st-half Financial Results.
July 31, 2003... Burnaby, British Columbia-based Ballard Power Systems, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, recently announced its financial results for the second quarter and first half ended June...

ABI Predicts FC-related Rise in Platinum Demand.
July 31, 2003... According to a recent study conducted by Oyster Bay, NY-based ABI Research, the world demand for platinum, which helps increase electrical conductivity in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells (FCs), could potentially rise eight to 12...

CA Official Announces 'Hydrogen Freeway' Initiative.
July 31, 2003... While attending the California Hydrogen Business Council's (CHBC) recent seminar at the headquarters of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) in Diamond Bar, CA, Governor's Office of Planning and Research senior policy...