FuelCellsWorks

November 4, 2009, 10 am – noon, Senate Dirksen Office Building, Room 628

Strong and far-reaching hydrogen and fuel cell provisions were included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, spanning everything from basic science to early market transition. More effort has been authorized in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. Various federal and state budgets since the mid-1990s have funded considerable research, development and demonstration. Industry has invested more than $6 B in RD&D, while many new products are being introduced to markets. Climate legislation is in the Senate. There is a large, vibrant and growing hydrogen community in the U.S. and worldwide.

This briefing will explore a hydrogen economy’s premier carbon and emissions benefits, its varied feedstocks, the broad efforts of key companies and research institutions partnering with federal and state governments in comprehensive RD&D efforts, a package of tax incentives, and the opportunities for the 111th Congress. There will be preliminary remarks from Senators Byron Dorgan and Lindsey Graham, and Representatives Bob Inglis and Eric Massa. Please join us; we expect a lively discussion.

ZEVs for California-Building an Ultra Low Carbon Transportation System: Catherine Dunwoody, Executive Director, California Fuel Cell Partnership
Partnerships to Deploy Low Carbon Hydrogen Systems: Michael Holmes, Associate Director, Energy and Environmental Research Center, University of North Dakota Energy Security and Climate Change: Transforming the Transportation Sector: Keith Cole, Director of Advanced Technology Vehicle Strategies and Legislative Affairs, General Motors
Renewable Commercial Systems from Waste Streams: Dr. Pinakin Patel, Director, Special Systems and Research, FuelCell Energy, Inc.
Hydrogen from Advanced Nuclear Power Systems: Dr. William Summers, Program Manager, Energy Security Directorate, Savannah River National Laboratory.

Moderator will be Jerome Hinkle, Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs at NHA – please contact us for further information at (202) 223-5547 or visit www.hydrogenassociation.org. RSVPs not needed.

National Hydrogen Association
1211 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036-2701 U.S.A
Phone: 202-223-5547
Fax: 202-223-5537
Email:hinklej@HydrogenAssociation.org

BOTHELL, Wash. — Neah Power Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:NPWZ)  the Company developing fuel cell-based renewable energy solutions for the military and consumer use, announced today that its methanol-powered fuel cell has been generating power for over 1000 hours continuously, further validating Neah’s porous silicon architecture as a viable platform to meet military and consumer power needs. “We are very satisfied thus far with the performance of our unique technology,” said Chris D’Couto, Neah President and CEO. “It continues to run and, at this point, even we don’t know its limits.” In October, Neah had previously announced that it had surpassed 500 hours of operation.

About Neah Power

Neah Power Systems, Inc. (NPWZ) is developing long-lasting, efficient and safe power solutions for the military and for portable electronic devices. NEAH uses a unique, patented, silicon-based design for its micro fuel cells that enable higher power densities, lower cost and compact form-factors. The company’s micro fuel cell system can run in aerobic and anaerobic modes, and is developing energy storage solutions based on its proprietary porous silicon technology.

Further company information can be found at www.neahpower.com.

First Commercial Micro Fuel Cell Product Brought to Market

IRVINE, Calif. — VIASPACE Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board:VSPC ), an alternative energy company providing products and technology for renewable, clean energy, announced that new technology enabling fuel cells for micro applications has been patented under U.S. Patent Number 7,585,577 “Monopolar Fuel Cell Stack Coupled Together Without Use of Top or Bottom Cover Plates or Tie Rods.”

The patent was issued to Caltech, which licensed it exclusively to VIASPACE subsidiary Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation (DMFCC). The inventors are Sekharipuram R. Narayanan and Thomas I. Valdez, both with the NASA/Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where the direct methanol fuel cell was invented.

The new patent application is related to monopolar fuel cell stacks. Traditionally, direct fuel cells stacked unit cells vertically like slices of bread in a loaf. Monopolar stacks use the same unit cells, but the “bread slices” can be laid horizontally next to each other. This allows for a thinner fuel cell that is more suitable for many micro applications like mobile phones. The patent states that “the new stack design offers two-to-three fold improvement in power densities, suitable for manufacturing, uses inexpensive plastic materials, and straightforward to troubleshoot and assemble. Such a stack design will substantially improve the commercialization of portable direct methanol fuel cell power sources.”

The new patent follows previously awarded U.S. Patent Number 6,680,139 “Reduced Size Fuel Cell for Portable Applications,” and U.S. Patent Number 6,756,145 “Electrode and Interconnect for Miniature Fuel Cells Using Direct Methanol Feed.”

VIASPACE and DMFCC Chief Executive Dr. Carl Kukkonen remarked: “This new patent adds significant value to our intellectual property portfolio. It will be difficult for any company to go to market with direct methanol fuel cells for micro applications, or other applications for that matter, without first obtaining protection under the Caltech patents which we have licensed.”

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation holds an extensive and comprehensive portfolio of direct methanol fuel cell patents licensed from Caltech as well as the University of Southern California. The patents cover the direct methanol fuel cell concept, technology that makes the science practical for use, and important processes related to manufacturing. Several patents are considered fundamental and blocking.

“Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation is focusing on disposable fuel cartridges that provide the fuel source for direct methanol fuel cells,” Kukkonen stated. “As previously announced, we are partnered with Samsung and are also working under confidentiality agreements with other companies. Strategically, we are engaging in opportunities to apply our intellectual property and patents in order to help develop the direct methanol fuel cell market.”

In a related development, on October 22, 2009, IDG News Service reported that “After years of prototypes and promises that the technology was just around the corner, Toshiba has become the first major consumer electronics maker to launch a device using direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) technology. The Dynario, a charger that can replenish [recharge] the batteries in gadgets like cell phones and digital cameras via USB, went on sale on Thursday on Toshiba’s Web store. The charger is about the same thickness and width as a cell phone, although it is slightly longer than most phones at 15 centimeters. A single 50-milliliter charge of methanol will enable it to recharge a cell phone twice. The next step for Toshiba will be gadgets with embedded fuel cells. Earlier this month at Ceatec 2009 one of its DMFCs was on display inside a cellular telephone but both Toshiba and Japanese carrier KDDI, which was demonstrating the phone, gave no estimate for its release. Toshiba didn’t disclose any plans to sell the charger overseas.”

To date, Caltech’s direct methanol fuel cell patents have been issued in the United States, Korea and other countries but not yet in Japan.