Medion AG and SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG (SFC) jointly started product development of a revolutionary new power supply for notebooks and other portable electronic devices: The Energy Docking Station, which is based on cutting-edge fuel cell technology.

The Energy Docking Station is the first step towards complete integration of fuel cells into notebooks. It supplies the notebook with electricity about three times longer than a conventional battery - with a single, exchangeable fuel cartridge containing methanol. Once a cartridge is empty, it can be "hot-swapped", i.e. exchanged without interruption of operation. On the CeBIT 2003 (Hanover, Germany), March 12-19th, Hall 2, Stand C48, Medion AG is going to present this concept to the public.

It is my pleasure to re-interview Robert Hockaday, founder of Energy Related Devices, Inc. and inventor of the Micro Fuel Cell(TM). More information on Mr. Hockaday and his Micro Fuel Cell can be found on the Energy Related Devices, Inc. website at http://www.energyrelatedevices.com/ or the Manhattan Scientifics Inc. website at http://www.mhtx.com. 

ANDERSON: In the interview last November you stated that you expected to see commercialization of your MicroFuel Cell into consumer electronic products in 2 to 5 years. Has your estimate increased or decreased since then? 

Two electric giants are scrambling for a top seat to commercialize a fuel cell using nano materials for mobile equipment, the likes of cellular phones and PCs, with an eye on the launch of practical production by 2004 to 2005.

NEC Corp has recently disclosed its plan to quicken the launch of commercial production of fuel cells for mobile devices to 2004, one year ahead of the initial plan. The company plans to use carbon nano horns that it has long been developing as electrode material.

On the one hand, Hitachi Ltd is to introduce fuel cells for mobile products by 2005 by using its proprietary technology on metallic nano particles to develop electrode catalyst materials for fuel cells.

A new "hydrofueler" will connect filling stations to the normal natural gas supply to fuel hydrogen-powered vehicles, said researchers at the University of Warwick's Warwick Process Technology Group. 

Now the big guys have taken an interest as Exxon Mobil and BMW are looking at the 2.8-million-euro, European Commission-funded, three-year research program. 

One of the problems with using hydrogen-powered cars is, how do you keep their fuel cells supplied with a ready source of hydrogen? The Warwick researchers said they believe much of the necessary infrastructure already exists—the new technology can fit to preexisting filling stations, which will then use it to produce hydrogen from the normal preexisting natural gas pipeline supply system. 

The Company is pleased to announce that the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government Economic Commission (MPG), witnessed the recent signing ceremony in Shanghai, China between Palcan, the Shanghai 711 CSIC Institute, Shanghai Ow Bowl Company (division of the Red Bean Group), Shanghai Giant Limited, and the Shanghai Shin-Fu Wheelchair Company. The NRC and the MPG are acting as sponsors of this joint venture development agreement. This is a significant milestone in Palcan's progress to date. China's endorsement of our proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells validates our leading edge technology.

Stuart Energy Systems Corporation (TSX:HHO - News) announced today that it has implemented its integration plan in connection with its recent acquisition of Vandeborre Technologies. The integration plan includes a reduction of 25% of the combined workforce - approximately 70 people, a rationalization of facilities, an organizational restructuring and the rationalization of the Company's product and technology development program. The restructuring is a result of the Company's recent acquisition of Vandenborre Technologies, a Belgium-based industry leader in the design, manufacture and sale of pressurized hydrogen generation systems based on advanced alkaline water electrolysis.

MesoFuel, Inc. of Albuquerque, NM and Jadoo Power Systems, LLC, of Folsom, CA, today jointly announced a strategic partnership arrangement to integrate MesoFuel's hydrogen generator
products with Jadoo's fuel cell products.  The partnership enables Jadoo and MesoFuel to exclusively develop portable hydrogen power system products.
MesoFuel, a company that develops on-site, on-demand hydrogen generators, will jointly develop fuel cell products with Jadoo, a company currently marketing Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

The Senate bill also has the support of co-sponsors Democrat Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.) and Independent Jim Jeffords (Vt.). With both chambers of Congress and all political parties represented, the bills begin on a sound political footing.

Industrial support comes from members of the CLEAR Act coalition, which include the Union of Concerned Scientists, Ford, the Natural Resource Defense Council,Toyota, Environmental Defense, Honda, the Alliance to Save Energy, the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, the Propane Vehicle Council, the Methanol Institute and others.

DaimlerChrysler AG plans to begin leasing its fuel-cell vehicle in Japan from the second half of this year, competing with Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in their home market.

DaimlerChrysler, the world's fifth-largest automaker, plans to lease as many as 10 of the cars in Japan in 2003 and 2004, said Andreas Truckenbrodt, director of the automaker's fuel cell and alternative powertrain division.

``The Japanese market is highly sensitive to environmental issues and very interested in new technology,'' Truckenbrodt said at a press conference in Tokyo. Competing ``with Toyota and Honda in particular is a big challenge for us.''

Swedish energy group Sydkraft has reportedly ordered a hydrogen fuel-cell refilling station from Stuart Energy Systems Corp of Canada.

The Stuart Hydrogen Energy Station can generate, compress and dispense hydrogen or a blend of hydrogen and natural gas. It will be used to power the city of Malmo's bus fleet, which now uses natural gas supplied by Sydkraft, reported The Canadian Press.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pacific Fuel Cell Corp. (OTC BB:PFCE) today announced that it has developed a unique chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process to grow carbon nanotubes on carbon cloth and carbon paper using an electro-deposited CVD catalyst.

The discovery was accomplished by a research team headed by University of California, Riverside Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, Yushan Yan, under PFCE's research contract with the University.

"We are very pleased with this discovery," stated George Suzuki, President of Pacific Fuel Cell Corp. "Particularly since this process has the potential to improve the platinum utilization rate in PEM fuel cells."

Carbon nanotubes have been identified as an excellent conductor of electricity, with high durability under extreme acidity, but the cost of the material has been prohibitive for fuel cell usage.

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2003--Powerball International Inc. (OTC BB: PRBL) is pleased to announce today that it has signed a consulting agreement with Patrick Schwartz, a management and strategic planning consultant. Schwartz will assist the company in formulating development, marketing and sales objectives for the company. The company previously announced the achievement of its initial objectives and goals established for the sodium pilot plant located in West Valley City, and is now intending to focus its efforts on sales, licensing and partnership opportunities for its technologies with industrial and commercial partners.

Schwartz, a former senior executive with Huntsman Corp., brings a wealth of sales, marketing and business experience to his consulting role. Schwartz will work with the board of directors, management and outside experts to assist the company in analyzing its technologies, defining strategic goals and objectives, and identifying market opportunities for the company.

European research into fuel cells is lagging behind its trading rivals, the Frankfurt-based International Platinum Association (IPA) said on Tuesday.

Fuel cell engines use a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity for cars and trucks. Platinum is an essential material in fuel cells and their commercial introduction could hugely increase platinum demand.

ICM Plastics, Rogers, MN announced today that it has signed contracts with two additional U.S. Fuel Cell companies, bringing the Company’s total number of major fuel cell customers to nine. The contracts are for bipolar plate molding and sealing services, the latter being a direct result of the Company’s ongoing research of fuel cell sealing technologies. 

ICM Plastics is one of North America’s leading producers of bipolar plates used in PEM Fuel Cells for the automotive, stationary, alternative transportation, and uninterrupted (UPS) power markets. 

Tokyo, March 12 (Bloomberg) -- Japan's government said it wants to have 5 million vehicles fuel cell vehicles running on domestic roads by 2020 and is beginning to develop a hydrogen- refueling infrastructure to help.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry may spend 22.5 billion yen ($191.7 million) in the business year starting April 1 on fuel cell related projects, 28 percent more than this year's 17.6 billion yen, the Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project said in a release.

The project, a government subsidized organization, opened its first hydrogen refueling station today near Yokohama, south of Tokyo. Through the project the government plans to set up five refueling stations by March 2004 in a test to find the most effective method for hydrogen refueling.

The cost of oil dependence has never been so clear. What had long been largely an environmental issue has suddenly become a deadly serious strategic concern. Oil is an indulgence we can no longer afford, not just because it will run out or turn the planet into a sauna, but because it inexorably leads to global conflict. Enough. What we need is a massive, Apollo-scale effort to unlock the potential of hydrogen, a virtually unlimited source of power. The technology is at a tipping point. Terrorism provides political urgency. Consumers are ready for an alternative. From Detroit to Dallas, even the oil establishment is primed for change. We put a man on the moon in a decade; we can achieve energy independence just as fast. Here's how.

Fuel-cell technology, an energy source invented over 150 years ago, may hold the key to low-polluting or nonpolluting energy independence for the United States, and it incidentally offers the real possibility of quiet, clean power on cruising boats.

Shell Hydrogen announced that it is to provide funding and technological know-how for the construction of a hydrogen refuelling station in Luxemburg. The project is part of a European Union initiative to demonstrate how fuel cell buses could provide clean urban transport across the continent.

The hydrogen refuelling station will be built at Luxemburg’s main bus station, and will supply fuel to three fuel cell buses that will run on the city’s streets. The refuelling station is planned to be operational in the third quarter of 2003. 

Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) announced today the launch of a new high purity hydrogen (H2) grade for fuel cell applications -- the only one in the industry.
    
The introduction of this new product offering is in direct response to fuel cell manufacturers' requests for higher purity hydrogen. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen (fuel) and oxygen (from the air) to produce electricity, pure water and heat.
    
"The presence of contaminants like ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur compounds can harm the catalyst-coated membranes inside the fuel cell, reducing its efficiency," said Janet Coffman, vice president of marketing and business development, Praxair Distribution, Inc. "Praxair's new fuel cell grade hydrogen, available in high-pressure cylinders, contains extremely low levels of these impurities, helping maintain the performance and reliability of these devices."