Jan 11 2011
UltraCell Corporation ("UltraCell"), a pioneer in advanced Reformed Methanol Micro Fuel Cell (RMFC) technology, was awarded a contract from the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC) to advance a fuel cell system for the Coalition Warfare Program (CWP). The contract award is valued at $999,000 USD.
Under the contract, UltraCell engineers will leverage a 150-watt (150W) fuel cell system prototype, originally developed for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) as part of the UK's Reducing the Burden on the Dismounted Soldier (RBDS) Capability Vision Program. UltraCell will apply its extensive expertise and resources to mature the new prototype system to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7.
"We are pleased to be part of a program that coordinates soldier power requirements among NATO partners," says Keith Scott, Chief Executive Officer, UltraCell Corporation. "This contract marks the continuation of our landmark work with the UK MOD over the past year on the innovative, 150W fuel cell system prototype."
UltraCell's efforts will center on the advanced development of an interoperable, fuel cell power source capable of delivering 150W suitable for a wide variety of military applications. The system will use RMFC technology to convert methanol fuel into electricity, to charge batteries and power even the most energy-hungry electronics devices. The RMFC solution offers a 50% weight savings for long missions and reduced environmental impact when compared to traditional batteries.