Publication date: 12-January-2004
Source: Ion Power and GenCell - Press Release

Under the terms of the agreement Ion Power Inc will provide GenCell with membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for the testing and the optimization of GenCell’s Proton Exchange Fuel Cell (PEMFC) product line. Jeffery Allen, GenCells, founder and president stated, “GenCell has developed and manufactures a complete 40 kW Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) based system for buildings and other stationary applications. Our core technology adapts very well to other types of fuel cells such as PEMFC that has applications in a broader spectrum of products such as portable equipment and transportation. However, we do not plan to develop our own PEMFC MEA technology. An alliance with Ion Power is in keeping with our long term strategies.” 

Dr. Stephen Grot, Ion Power’s founder and president noted, “Ion Power’s mission is to work with fuel cell stack manufacturers to provide them with membrane electrode assemblies that optimize the performance of their stack design. Given this goal, we find that such an alliance with GenCell is in keeping with our mission and such joint efforts will only speed up the commercialization of fuel cells. At this stage of industry development we want to remain flexible in our capabilities to provide a variety of solutions to fuel cell stack manufacturers and work with them to enhance the performance of their stack, which is what will ultimately move the industry forward. We are pleased to see that a reputable company like GenCell will be using our patented ultra thin Kapton framed MEAs in their PEMFC products.” 

The memorandum will benefit both parties by providing the opportunity to expand their services and businesses. The companies mutual interest lays in developing a basis for a long term supply agreement of Ion Power’s MEAs into GenCell’s developing line of PEMFC based commercial products. 

Ion Power is a privately held Delaware based corporation and a leading manufacturer of membrane electrode assemblies for hydrogen fuel cells and water electrolyzers. In addition to their primary mission of manufacturing MEAs, Ion Power is a distributor of DuPont NAFION perfluorosulfonic acid products in pellet,dispersion, and membrane forms. 

GenCell Corporation, a privately held Connecticut based corporation, is involved in the design and manufacture of advanced, next-generation, fuel cell components and systems. GenCell strives to reduce the
cost of fuel cell components such as electrode, bipolar separator plates, and fuel cell stack hardware while improving performance and life through the introduction of innovative design. 

CONTACT:
Melanie Gajda
GenCell Corporation
(203) 264-2515