The Edison Materials Technology Center in Kettering hosted the quarterly board meeting where members of the trade association, made up of 75 organizations, discussed up-and-coming fuel cell applications, public awareness of the technology and state financial support.

"(We) talked about how we can continue to accelerate the growth of the fuel cell industry in the state," said Frank Svet, president and chief executive officer of EMTEC.

More than 350 companies in Ohio build products that could contribute to fuel cells, which are devices powered by hydrogen that can be used as alternative energy sources to oil and other traditional power sources, Svet said.

At the meeting, coalition members talked about rapidly developing areas of fuel cell uses, such as cell phones, PDAs and laptops.

Industry heads also are working to apply fuel cells for the electronic equipment U.S. soldiers carry on their backs, such as global positioning systems. Fuel cell technology, which weighs less than regular batteries, would lighten soldiers' loads from 40 to 80 pounds to five to 10 pounds.

Coalition members also talked about the need to educate the public about how far along researchers are in developing the technology. When a product is developed, it may not be immediately available for consumer use because of the cost, Svet said, and the public needs to be aware of that.

"Not everyone's a technologist, and we realize that," Svet said.

To inform the public and companies interested in cashing in on the technology, the coalition holds educational events. This year, symposiums will be held in Dayton in March and September.

Another focus of this week's meeting was the need for member organizations to continue to encourage state support. With a new administration coming next year, these groups need to show politicians the importance of the technology, Svet said.