FuelCellsWorks

French researchers have presented a study that enable to produce and use hydrogen by replacing platinum by a synthetic enzyme. This method should open a new era for the profitability of fuel cells by enabling the production of hydrogen from nickel, iron or cobalt, less expensive and rare than platinum.

Thus, scientists from Laboratoire de chimie et de biologie des métaux (LCBM) from Grenoble and from Institut du rayonnement de la matière de Saclay (IRAMIS) got inspired from hydrogenases, which are natural enzymes present notably in bacteria and using or producing hydrogen from nickel or iron. They originate from an era during which there was no oxygen on earth but carbon monoxide or hydrogen, and, as they are destructed by oxygen, are present in specific environments where hydrogen is profuse.

“Nature got along to produce hydrogen without platinum, that has inspired us” said Marc Fontecave from LCBM. This biomimetics approach came from the observation that some cyanobacteria can transform water to hydrogen thanks to solar energy. Thus, there are some hydrogenases realizing catalysis appealing to iron or nickel atoms.  Researchers have put these “imitations” on carbon nanotubes which allows transplanting a lot of catalysts by unit areas on the electrode.

These promising results still have to be improved either by increasing the quantity of the catalyst on the electrode or by enhancing its chemistry as its speed is 10 to 100 times weaker than with plate and as there’s no real substitute to plate. “We have 10 or 20 working years in front of us” considered Vincent Artero, researcher in LCBM and coauthor of the study.

Michael Hamburger (Appalachian State University) et Thomas Moore (Arizona State University) have positively reacted to this announcement considering that “future optimizations of this compound could lead to viable catalyst, without noble metal, for fuel cell”.

The Dutch minister of mobility Camiel Eurlings makes 5 million euro available for companies that experiment with driving on hydrogen.

By doing so he would like to stimulate the development of Hydrogen technique in transport. It’s about  lorries, busses and other vehicles.

See full article:

http://www.demorgen.be/dm/nl/5379/Ecotips/article/detail/1053507/2010/01/13/Nederland-kent-subsidie-toe-voor-rijden-op-waterstof.dhtml

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. –Protonex Technology Corporation (LSE: AIM: PTX and PTXU), a leading provider of advanced fuel cell power systems today announces that, as anticipated in its results announcement of 13 January 2010, it has received a $1.85 million contract award from the U.S. Army CECOM, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to develop and deliver advanced portable battery charger / APU fuel cell systems. This contract award also includes three option phases which, if awarded, could increase the total value of this contract to $6.4 million and could include delivery of over 100 production units.

Under the terms of this five-month, phase one program, Protonex will develop the next-generation of its existing M250-CX platform by increasing its power output, integrating additional battery management and charging capabilities, reducing overall size and weight, and further ruggedizing the system for field use. At the conclusion of the phase one program, Protonex is expected to deliver multiple portable battery charger/APU systems to the U.S. Army for further testing and field use.

Development of a next-generation system based on the existing 250-watt platform will provide the military with lightweight, extremely quiet and fuel efficient power systems that can be used as portable field battery chargers or auxiliary power units (APUs). Use of the M250-CX could enable new mission scenarios and allow a switch to rechargeable batteries in the field, thereby reducing overall weight and saving significantly on the hundreds of millions of dollars spent annually on non-rechargeable batteries in the field by the US Department of Defense.

Commenting on the contract, Scott Pearson, Chief Executive of Protonex said:

“With this significant award, our development work on the M250 platform of products has been supported to date by a total of $9.6 million in contracts from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Department of Defense. This contract represents continuing support from our military customers and validates the need for alternative power solutions for U.S. soldiers in the field where batteries and generators fail to provide acceptable performance.”

“In addition, the potential follow-on funding contemplated by the three program options could pave the way to low volume procurement of the M250-CX systems within the U.S. Army and other military and government agencies.”

Protonex’ M250-CX system is a lightweight, 250-watt portable power system designed to meet the stringent demands of a wide range of military battery charging and auxiliary power unit applications. The unique design combines advances in fuel cell energy conversion and battery charging technology into one complete product solution to provide military battery charging and 28V auxiliary power with extremely low weight, noise, and thermal signature.

Notes to Editors

About Protonex Technology Corporation

www.protonex.com

Protonex Technology Corporation develops and manufactures compact, lightweight and high- performance fuel cell systems for portable power applications in the 100 to 1000-watt range. The Company’s fuel cell systems are designed to meet the needs of military, commercial and consumer customers for off-grid applications underserved by existing technologies by providing customizable, stand-alone portable power solutions and systems that may be hybridized with existing power technologies. The Company is headquartered in Southborough, Massachusetts.

AFC Energy (AIM: AFC), the low cost developer of fuel cell technology, is pleased to announce that Air Products Limited (”Air Products”), the global leader in hydrogen fuelling and infrastructure has indicated its intention to collaborate with them in their SuperGreen Power Station bringing their vast wealth of expertise in supplying hydrogen, hydrogen handling equipment and knowhow.

This follows the announcement on 7 January 2010 when AFC Energy announced it has entered into a non-binding agreement with WSP Group plc with the intention of building and operating a SuperGreen power station based upon AFC Energy’s fuel cell systems. During the first stage a 50 kW power station will be constructed to demonstrate AFC Energy’s fuel cell systems working as part of an integrated power station. During the second stage it is intended with commercial support to build a 1 MW power station.

Ian Balchin CEO of AFC Energy, said: “We are delighted to have Air Products joining us in this opportunity. We believe that Air Products’ industry leading expertise in the hydrogen market will assist AFC Energy enormously in this exciting project.” Ian Williamson, European Director of Air Products, said: “We have seen AFC Energy technology develop over the last 3 years and are delighted to be part of this groundbreaking program.”