Protonex Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of long duration power sources for portable and remote applications, has received a $2.6 million award from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to further the development of an innovative power solution for individual soldiers on extended field missions. The technology is built on Protonex's NGen(TM) Portable Power System, a durable, compact and lightweight power source that combines a PEM fuel cell power generation system with a chemical hydride hydrogen storage system. Protonex is partnered with Millennium Cell, Inc. (MCEL) , a major subcontractor in this development program. Millennium Cell will provide their patented Hydrogen On Demand(TM) storage technology to Protonex under an existing joint development and licensing agreement.

The contract was awarded under the Dual Use Science and Technology (DUST) Program established by the National Defense Authorization. The DUST program promotes the development of dual use technologies with application both in the military and commercial sectors. Initiatives are evaluated based on their viability and potential product transition from military use into commercial markets.

"Current power systems constitute a substantial portion of the weight load for the special operations warfighter. Fuel cell power generators have considerable potential to significantly decrease this burden," said Dr. Thomas Reitz of the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Protonex has been working with the military since 2000 to develop long duration power solutions for portable applications; and is in the process of commercializing a family of products in the power range of 10 to 1000 Watts. A soldier on a 3-day mission, for example, would need to carry nearly 30 pounds of batteries to equal the power of one Protonex portable fuel cell system. Weighing less than 5 pounds with fuel, Protonex's products offer key advantages over conventional batteries such as increased operating times and fast refueling in the field.

"Our NGen(TM) fuel cell technology is an effective solution to soldier power problems," said Greg Cipriano, Vice President of Business Development at Protonex. "This DUST award is a vote of confidence from the military in our ability to provide power solutions for critical portable and remote applications."

Millennium Cell's Hydrogen On Demand(TM) system provides a source of pure hydrogen that can be used with fuel cells. It generates hydrogen from sodium borohydride, which is derived from sodium borate, commonly known as borax. Dissolved in water and passed through a proprietary catalyst chamber, the sodium borohydride releases pure hydrogen - on demand - to power a fuel cell.

"We are pleased to join Protonex in this worthy project for the U.S. Air Force," said H. David Ramm, Millennium Cell President and CEO. "This system has the potential of reducing costs, both financial and environmental, as well as lessening the load a soldier must carry into the field."

    About Protonex Technology Corporation

    www.protonex.com

Established in 2000, Protonex provides long duration portable and remote power sources. They provide complete power solutions, fuel cell stacks and application services to OEM customers for portable and remote off-grid applications poorly served by existing battery, generator, solar and other power technologies. Protonex's innovative fuel cell technology complements existing power technologies and is utilized in hybrid designs for customer applications in the 10 to 1000 Watt power range.

    About Millennium Cell, Inc.

    www.millenniumcell.com

Founded in 1998, Millennium Cell is based in Eatontown, NJ and has developed a multi-faceted patent portfolio, which the company is pursuing in the United States and internationally surrounding a proprietary process called Hydrogen on Demand(TM). The Hydrogen on Demand(TM) system safely generates pure hydrogen from environmentally friendly raw materials. In the process, the energy potential of hydrogen is carried in the chemical bonds of sodium borohydride, which in the presence of a catalyst releases hydrogen. The primary input components of the reaction are water and sodium borohydride, a derivative of borax. Borax is found in substantial natural reserves globally. Hydrogen from this system can be used to power fuel cells or fed directly to internal combustion engines. Millennium Cell also has a patented design for boron-based longer-life batteries. For more information, please contact Adam Briggs, (866) 532-2783 or email info@millenniumcell.com.

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Millennium Cell, Inc.
Adam P. Briggs
Office: 732-544-5732