"This is a major step toward commercialization of micro fuel cells, and will help the entire fuel cell industry move forward. Fuel cells are important part of global alternative energy and green energy strategies," reports VIASPACE CEO Dr. Carl Kukkonen. "Our subsidiary company Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation produces fuel cartridges for micro fuel cells. These disposable methanol fuel cartridges provide the liquid energy source which the fuel cell converts into electricity to power a notebook computer or mobile phone. Fuel cartridges are disposable and represent a recurring revenue stream similar to printer cartridges or razor blades. Fuel cartridges are made of recyclable materials, but are not allowed to be refilled by the consumer for safety reasons under recently adopted international safety regulations."

Kukkonen continued, "Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation and other fuel cell companies and industry groups have been working for several years to develop the fuel cell safety codes which have now been published by the International Electric Technical Commission (IEC), obtain approval for airplane use by the International Civil Aviation Organization, and approval by the US Department of Transportation. I want to thank the US Fuel Cell Council, the Japanese Electric Manufacturers Association (JEMA), Underwriters Laboratories, the Canadian Standards Association, the Methanol Institute and colleagues in the portable electronics and fuel cell industry for years of hard work to get to this point. US approval for airplanes is a critical factor for success of the micro fuel cell industry. We are very energized by this development which should accelerate product introduction."

In a recent press release, Methanol Institute President and CEO, John Lynn stated, "For everyone that boards an airplane, safety is of paramount importance... The action by the US DOT is a clear endorsement that fuel cell systems and methanol fuel cartridges can meet the most rigorous safety standards. By clearing this hurdle, travelers all the world over will soon no longer fear the dreaded 'battery low' warnings on their laptop computers. They will simply pop out an empty methanol cartridge and replace it with a fresh one."

The proposed rulemaking issued by the Department of Transportation would allow passengers to carry micro fuel cells in the passenger cabin along with up to two spare fuel cartridges. Hydrogen stored in metal hydrides and some borohydrides were not permitted as these are still under consideration by international authorities.

About VIASPACE: Founded in 1998 to transform proven space and defense technologies from NASA and the Department of Defense into commercial hardware and software solutions that solve today's complex problems, VIASPACE benefits from important patent and software licenses from Caltech, which manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. VIASPACE focuses on alternative energy and fuel cell infrastructure, and on hardware and software for security and defense. For more information on VIASPACE and its subsidiary Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation, please visit our website at http://www.VIASPACE.com