FuelCellsWorks

London’s latest green innovation on show at the prestigious automotive event

Intelligent energy, the global clean power systems company and Lotus Engineering will exhibit the zero emissions fuel cell hybrid London black cab at the Goodwood festival of Speed from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th July 2010.

The Fuel Cell Black Cab will take part in the spectacular hill climb in the low emissions run which takes place at 9am and 13:20pm each day of the festival. The Fuel Cell Hybrid taxi will be exhibited in the Future of Motoring (FoS-Tech) pavilion and will be on display with an Intelligent Energy Fuel Cell demonstration model. Representatives from Intelligent Energy and Lotus Engineering will be on hand to provide tours of the taxi.

Intelligent Energy, Lotus Engineering, LTI Vehicles and TRW Conekt have developed the Fuel Cell Black Cab with funding from the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board with plans to introduce the first fleet into London for 2012. The Fuel Cell Black Cab was first unveiled to the world by the Deputy Mayor of London at London’s City Hall on June 7th 2010.

 The Fuel Cell Black Cab can be found in the FoS-Tech Pavilion throughout the weekend -please contact Jon Moore, Head of Communications, Intelligent Energy, +44 (0) 7595 284124 or John Lamb, PR Officer, Lotus Engineering +44 (0) 7715122997 for information during the Festival of Speed.

In addition to visiting Intelligent Energy, please contact Will Stanley on +44 (0)20 8392 4095 for further information about the Zero Emissions Fuel Cell Hybrid Taxi.

SAN JOSE, Calif.–Cypress Semiconductor Corporation’s legendary founder and CEO, T.J. Rodgers, is declaring energy independence from the public utility grid for Cypress’s headquarters campus in San Jose, Calif. The announcement will be made at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 2, as the company dedicates Bloom Energy fuel cell systems at the site, and lays out a framework to get entirely off the public electric grid. Cypress’s campus electric system also includes solar panels.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Hydrogenics Corporation (Nasdaq:HYGS) (TSX:HYG) (”Hydrogenics” or the “Company”), a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products, today announced that it has been selected by Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to participate in the Alternative Technologies for Regulation Demonstration Project for utility-scale grid stabilization. Over a two month period, the load from a Hydrogenics HySTAT^TM electrolyzer will provide regulation services within Ontario’s electricity market by responding to power signals from the IESO.

 Using an electrolyzer currently installed at Hydrogenics’ corporate headquarters, the IESO and Hydrogenics will work together to assess how well the hydrogen equipment follows regulation signals in a real-world scenario. In doing so, Hydrogenics will aim to provide better balancing of electrical supply and demand while alleviating local transmission constraints.

 ”We are very pleased to have been selected for this ambitious study by Ontario’s IESO,” said Daryl Wilson, President and CEO. “We believe this demonstration will showcase the smart-grid capability of utility-scale hydrogen technology, which can and will be used for both grid stabilization and energy storage in the years to come.”

 ABOUT HYDROGENICS

 Hydrogenics Corporation (www.hydrogenics.com) is a globally recognized developer and provider of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products and services, serving the growing industrial and clean energy markets of today and tomorrow. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Hydrogenics has operations in North America and Europe.

SOUTHBOROUGH, MA; Protonex Technology Corporation (”Protonex” or “the Company”), a leading provider of advanced fuel cell power systems, today announces that it has retained America’s Growth Capital to assist in evaluating the Company’s strategic alternatives for growth, including future financing.

Commenting on the engagement, Scott Pearson, Chief Executive Officer of Protonex said: “After recently securing shareholder approval to de-list from the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (see the Investors section of the Protonex website for details), we look forward to capitalizing on the potential financial advantages of being a private company. We are pleased to have partnered with America’s Growth Capital and we are confident in their ability to assist Protonex in defining and executing on a growth strategy which maximizes shareholder value.”

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 and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) 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 based in Southborough, Massachusetts.

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn.– UTC Power, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, today announced it has set durability records for its latest generation transit bus fuel cell system.

A PureMotion^® Model 120 fuel cell powerplant aboard an Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) bus operating in the Greater Oakland, California, area has surpassed 7,000 hours in service with the original cell stacks and no cell replacements, and another has exceeded 6,000 hours.

“Based on industry data we’ve seen, these durability milestones are unmatched in the industry,” said Ken Stewart, UTC Power Vice President-Transportation.  ”We’ve worked very hard at UTC Power over the past several years to improve our fuel cell stack durability, which is recognized as a key challenge to commercializing fuel cell vehicles.  These operating hour numbers demonstrate our significant progress.”

Three of AC Transit’s buses are equipped with UTC Power fuel cell systems and have now traveled more than 255,000 miles, with an average fuel economy that is 65 percent better than the control fleet of diesel buses running the same routes and duty cycles.

Fuel cell buses produce no harmful tailpipe emissions and provide a smooth, quiet ride for passengers. Transit buses with fuel cell systems can have a major impact on greenhouse gas reduction, ranging from a 43 percent reduction over diesel buses if hydrogen is supplied from the reformation of natural gas, up to a 100 percent reduction when hydrogen is generated from on-site renewable sources like solar and wind power.

“This is the type of result we and our industry are looking for as we make steady progress toward proving the commercial viability of fuel cell buses for public transit. We’re looking forward to applying the success of UTC Power’s newest fuel cell systems in our new fleet of 12 next-generation buses, as they enter passenger service over the next six months,” said Jaimie Levin, AC Transit’s Director of Alternative Fuels Policy and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Program Manager.

UTC Power is part of United Technologies Corp., which provides energy-efficient products and services to the aerospace and building industries.  Based in South Windsor, Conn., UTC Power is a world leader in developing and producing fuel cells for on-site power at buildings and for transportation applications.

AC Transit serves more than 1.5 million people in 13 cities (including Oakland and Berkeley) and two counties in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area.  With a fleet of 600 buses, it carries more than 67 million passengers annually.

AFC Energy plc (LSE:AFC) (“AFC Energy”), a leading developer of low-cost alkaline fuel cells, is pleased to announce that an alkaline fuel cell system has been successfully deployed and operated at Linc Energy’s (ASX:LNC) (“Linc Energy”) underground coal gasification (“UCG”) demonstration facility in Chinchilla, Australia.

The board of AFC Energy (the “Board”) believes that this is the first time that a hydrogen fuel cell has been deployed with UCG and that, as such, this represents a major step towards the opportunity of combining UCG and alkaline fuels cells as a breakthrough technology for cleaner coal worldwide. The Board considers that, together, the technologies have the potential to use coal in the cleanest way possible.

Hydrogen produced from Linc Energy’s UCG process is an ideal feedstock for AFC Energy’s fuel cell systems. Linc Energy will utilise a simple membrane gas separation process on the UCG gases to ensure a rich hydrogen mix is available for the fuel cell system.

During a visit to Linc Energy’s demonstration facility in Chinchilla, AFC engineers worked alongside Linc Energy personnel to train them and demonstrate the necessary procedures to enable Linc Energy to operate the fuel cell in the future with minimal assistance and to facilitate the upgrade to the Beta system as it is developed.

The Board believes that AFC Energy’s and Linc Energy’s integrated technologies have the potential to offer an enhanced efficiency conversion of coal to electricity, whilst enabling up to 99 per cent. carbon capture. Furthermore, this combination provides potential access to billions of additional tonnes of coal in the UK without the environmental impacts of conventional underground or open cast mining. The alkaline fuel cell converts hydrogen to electricity at 60 per cent. efficiency and at an estimated cost per kilowatt hour as low as 4 pence.

The deployment of AFC Energy’s Alpha fuel cell system builds upon an order and exclusivity agreement between Linc Energy, AFC Energy and UK-based B9 Coal Ltd signed in December 2009. The relationship was instigated by B9 Coal which continues to lead the project and is actively pursuing opportunities for deploying these technologies in the UK.

Ian Balchin, CEO of AFC Energy said, “We are delighted that this initial deployment has been successful and we are looking forward to demonstrating enhanced performance at Linc Energy’s demonstration facility in Chinchilla in the coming months following completion of further trial work with AkzoNobel.”

Peter Bond, CEO of Linc Energy said, “Combining UCG with fuel cells for cleaner power generation makes environmental sense. This world-first UCG and fuel cell trial is a milestone for a cleaner energy future. Linc Energy looks forward to the next stage of the project, Beta system commissioning and, ultimately, multi-megawatt deployment with UCG.”

BRISBANE, Australia – Linc Energy the world leader in Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) technology, and AFC Energy (LSE: AFC), the world’s leading developer of low-cost alkaline fuel cells, have successfully trialled hydrogen fuel cell technology to produce electricity at Linc Energy’s Chinchilla Demonstration Facility in Queensland.

Linc Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Bond said his company’s exclusive agreement with UK-based AFC Energy for application with UCG and the delivery of an Alpha Unit Hydrogen Fuel Cell to the Chinchilla facility had been completed.

“This is a major innovation and the first time that a hydrogen fuel cell has been successfully trialled with UCG,” said Bond.

“It represents a huge step towards the worldwide opportunity of combining UCG and alkaline fuels cells as a breakthrough technology for creating the cleanest possible power generation from coal.”

Initial testing with the hydrogen fuel cell unit at Linc Energy’s Chinchilla Demonstration Facility was performed following successful trials at AFC UK facilities of mock syngas of comparative composition to that generated at the Linc Energy facility.

The trial demonstrated the successful ability to generate clean electricity from alkaline hydrogen fuel cell technology from syngas derived from UCG operations.

“What is so remarkable about this trial is that the fuel cell configuration was able to produce reliable and efficient clean electricity from a much lower percentage hydrogen content gas than other fuel cells require,” said Bond.

“This effectively demonstrates that combining the AFC Fuel Cell technology with hydrogen from Linc Energy’s syngas produced from the world-class UCG at Chinchilla is a feasible route to achieve the ultimate in clean electricity from stranded, sub-economic coal, of which there is an abundance in the world.”

“This will unlock energy resources and provide energy security to nations in an environmentally sustainable and proficient manner.”

“When combined with our world-class Gas to Liquids operations and utilising the purified hydrogen as part of the synthesis gas clean-up processes in commercial operations, the hydrogen fuel cell is expected to produce even better results,” said Bond.

Further trials will be carried out with the fuel cell system in the coming months however the promising results from this trial has enhanced AFC Energy’s development of the next generation of hydrogen fuel cells for a commercial application, which Linc Energy aims to install at its Chinchilla Demonstration Facility.

The first hydrogen-powered sightseeing vehicle was jointed invented by Hefei Kezhen Development Company and University of Zhejiang in Anhui province. The vehicle has 12 seats with power of 5 kilowatt. A 40 liter hydrogen can fuel the car to operate a distance of 180 kilometers.

It’s learned that Hefei Kezhen Company planed to produce this type of sedan in two years, which had applied for five patents. Compared with gas and electricity-fueled vehicle, the hydrogen car sees a higher energy efficiency, and more importantly, after fueled, it emits only water which makes it zero-pollution.

Cheng Chao, Financial Director with the company, demonstrated the new type vehicle to reporters for its smooth ride and strong dynamic. Cheng introduced that the energy conversion rate for this car was 60 percent while that of oil-powered car was only 30 percent.

One difficulty, it seemed now, preventing hydrogen sedans from popularizing was high production cost. A 1 kilowatt battery of 20-centimetre long and 5-centimetre wide costed 10,000 yuan, while a sedan had to be fueled by battery with the power of 35 to 50 kilowatts.

As to this problem, Chen said that research had been made to solve the cost barrier and future cost for the battery could be as low as 10 percent of its price now. Then the hydrogen-fueled sedan would be a suitable option for ordinary people.

The hydrogen battery could be used for as long as 8 years. The city of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province has made an order of 12 hydrogen vehicles which will be put into operation in West Lake scenery spot.

(By Zha Xuan)

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (AIM/ASX: CFU) – a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission electricity generation units for homes and other buildings – today announced that it has entered a licence agreement with USA-based NexTech Materials, Ltd for NexTech to commercially offer solid oxide fuel cell interconnect coating solutions based on Ceramic Fuel Cells’ patented formulations.

Ceramic Fuel Cells has patented a technology which protects metal interconnect plates from chromium poisoning. This solution, which Ceramic Fuel Cells uses in its own fuel cell products, is useful for other developers of solid oxide fuel cells.

Based in Ohio, NexTech Materials is a leading provider of technology solutions for the solid oxide fuel cell market. NexTech’s customers are located in more than 35 countries and include fuel cell researchers, developers and manufacturers.

Ceramic Fuel Cells will receive a royalty from NexTech Materials’ sales, creating an additional revenue stream from Ceramic Fuel Cells’ existing intellectual property.

Ceramic Fuel Cells has developed a Fuel Cell Interconnect Device which provides a protective coating for cathodes in solid oxide fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. The company has been granted patents on the invention in the United States, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom), Australia and New Zealand.

Ceramic Fuel Cells has granted NexTech Materials a worldwide licence to use this patented coating technology to provide products and services to solid oxide fuel cell developers and

Chattanooga, Tennessee, today unveiled the City’s first Bloom Box, a 100 kW energy server based on cutting-edge fuel cell technology from California’s Bloom Energy.

Chattanooga, TN  — Officials and representatives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, today inaugurated the City’s first Bloom Box, a 100 kW energy server based on cutting-edge fuel cell technology from California’s Bloom Energy. The project is the continuation of a long-standing partnership, facilitated by Congressman Zach Wamp, between the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the National Center for Computational Engineering (SimCenter), EPB, TVA, The Enterprise Center and Bloom Energy that began with Bloom’s first field trial of its technology in 2006. That successful field trial was a key milestone on Bloom’s path to commercialization.

“UTC and the Tennessee Valley, have been exceptional partners from the beginning and the valuable insights gained here have helped shape our product into the commercially viable entity it is today,” said KR Sridhar, Co-founder and CEO of Bloom Energy. “We are thrilled to be here to celebrate the continuation of Bloom Energy’s collaboration with Tennessee’s Congressional leadership, the Tennessee Valley Authority, EPB, and the University.”

UTC and the Tennessee Valley, have been exceptional partners from the beginning and the valuable insights gained here have helped shape our product into the commercially viable entity it is today

We are thrilled to be here to celebrate the continuation of Bloom Energy’s collaboration with Tennessee’s Congressional leadership, the Tennessee Valley Authority, EPB, and the University.

The Tennessee Valley has been involved with this technology for a long time, and we’re now at the point of demonstrating its viability as a compliment to the grid. The ultimate goal would be to manufacture fuel cells in Tennessee and further advance the new manufacturing boon in the Tennessee Valley Corridor

Bloom’s technology could have a tremendous impact for the world in creating new energy sources and is cleaner and more efficient than much of today’s power generation. Fuel cell technology coupled with increased nuclear energy could significantly shrink our country’s carbon footprint.

Energy independence and preserving the environment are critical national priorities. An efficient economical fuel cell with low or negligible carbon emission that can operate on a wide range of locally available fuels-such as natural gas and other biofuels – and then provide distributed electrical power without major transmission loss is one element in the solution to this critical issue

This type of research is exactly why the SimCenter must continue to grow and widen its interests to provide Chattanooga, the state and the nation with well-educated engineers to solve challenging important problems.

With major support from Congressman Zach Wamp, and in conjunction with TVA, this project will provide 24/7 clean reliable power to EPB’s building.

“The Tennessee Valley has been involved with this technology for a long time, and we’re now at the point of demonstrating its viability as a compliment to the grid. The ultimate goal would be to manufacture fuel cells in Tennessee and further advance the new manufacturing boon in the Tennessee Valley Corridor,” said Congressman Wamp. “Bloom’s technology could have a tremendous impact for the world in creating new energy sources and is cleaner and more efficient than much of today’s power generation. Fuel cell technology coupled with increased nuclear energy could significantly shrink our country’s carbon footprint.”

Located on the top floor of the EPB building’s parking garage, in downtown Chattanooga, the Bloom Box will be a showcase piece for innovation and for successful collaboration between the public and private sectors. By working closely with TVA, this project also highlights how distributed generation technologies such as Bloom’s can be an integral part of a clean smart grid for the 21st century.

“Energy independence and preserving the environment are critical national priorities. An efficient economical fuel cell with low or negligible carbon emission that can operate on a wide range of locally available fuels-such as natural gas and other biofuels – and then provide distributed electrical power without major transmission loss is one element in the solution to this critical issue,” said Dr. Harry McDonald, holder of the Chair of Excellence in Computational Engineering at the National Center for Computational Engineering (SimCenter). “This type of research is exactly why the SimCenter must continue to grow and widen its interests to provide Chattanooga, the state and the nation with well-educated engineers to solve challenging important problems.”

The units will be closely monitored by EPB, Bloom Energy, and the National Center for Computational Engineering (SimCenter) to optimize and simulate performance and to provide educational value on cutting edge energy technology.

Chattanooga continues to be on the forefront of technology. Home to the National Center for Computational Engineering (SimCenter), the largest municipal 100% Fiber Optics network, and one of the most automated Smart Grids in the nation, the 100 kW Energy Server is yet another shining example of Chattanooga quickly becoming a recognized national leader in state-of-the-art thinking and innovation.

Chattanooga, TENN. – Officials and representatives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, recently inaugurated the City’s first Bloom Box, a 100kW energy server poised to become an important alternative energy source for the nation’s power grid.

The energy server uses solid oxide fuel cell technology developed by California’s Bloom Energy. Researchers from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s SimCenter: National Center for Computational Engineering evaluated the cell’s efficiency and will continue to monitor the new installation.

The project is the continuation of a long-standing partnership between the UTC SimCenter, EPB, TVA, and Bloom Energy that began with Bloom’s first field trial of its technology in 2006. That successful field trial was a key milestone on Bloom’s path to commercialization. 

Located on the top floor of the EPB building’s parking garage, in downtown Chattanooga, the Bloom Box will be a showcase piece for innovation and for successful collaboration between the public and private sectors.  By working closely with TVA, this project also highlights how distributed generation technologies such as Bloom’s can be an integral part of a clean smart grid for the 21st century.

“Energy independence and preserving the environment are critical national priorities. An efficient economical fuel cell with low or negligible carbon emission that can operate on a wide range of locally available fuels-such as natural gas and other biofuels-and then provide distributed electrical power without major transmission loss is one element in the solution to this critical issue,” said Dr. Harry McDonald, holder of the Chair of Excellence in Computational Engineering at the UTC SimCenter. “This type of research is exactly why the SimCenter must continue to grow and widen its interests to provide Chattanooga, the state and the nation with well-educated engineers to solve challenging important problems.”

The units will be closely monitored by the EPB, Bloom Energy, and the UTC SimCenter to optimize and simulate performance and to provide educational value on cutting edge energy technology.

“UTC and the Tennessee Valley, have been exceptional partners from the beginning, and the valuable insights gained here have helped shape our product into the commercially viable entity it is today,” said KR Sridhar.  “We are thrilled to be here to celebrate the continuation of Bloom Energy’s collaboration with Tennessee’s Congressional leadership, the Tennessee Valley Authority, EPB, and the University.”

With major support from Congressman Zach Wamp, and in conjunction with the TVA, this project will provide 24/7 clean reliable power to EPB’s building.

“The Tennessee Valley has been involved with this technology for a long time, and we’re now at the point of demonstrating its viability as a compliment to the grid. The ultimate goal would be to manufacture fuel cells in Tennessee and further advance the new manufacturing boon in the Tennessee Valley Corridor,” said Congressman Wamp. “Bloom’s technology could have a tremendous impact for the world in creating new energy sources that are cleaner and more efficient than much of today’s power generation. Fuel cell technology coupled with increased nuclear energy could significantly shrink our country’s carbon footprint.”

Bloom Energy’s technology produces clean, reliable, affordable power, practically anywhere, from a wide range of renewable or traditional fuel sources, including natural gas, wind, solar, and biomass. Bloom Energy Servers are among the most efficient energy generators available, providing for significantly reduced electricity costs and dramatically lower greenhouse gas emissions. By generating power on-site where it is consumed, Bloom Energy offers increased power reliability and security.

Chattanooga continues to be on the forefront of technology.  Home to the UTC SimCenter National Center for Computational Engineering, the largest fiber to the home network, and one of the most automated Smart Grids in the nation, the 100 kW Energy Server is yet another shining example of Chattanooga quickly becoming a recognized national leader in state-of-the-art thinking and innovation.

“Here at UTC, we are proud of the progress our campus and our community have made in the areas of sustainability and energy innovation. And we are especially proud that the research scientists and students from our SimCenter played an integral part in the development of this exciting new technology,” said UTC Chancellor Roger Brown. “This is exactly the caliber of research and development this region is coming to expect from our campus.”

About Chattanooga’s Energy Server Partners:

Bloom Energy

Bloom Energy is a provider of breakthrough solid oxide fuel cell technology that generates clean, highly-efficient power onsite from virtually any fuel source. Bloom Energy’s mission is to make clean, reliable energy affordable for everyone in the world. The Bloom Energy Server is currently producing power for several Fortune 500 companies. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA. For more information, visit BloomEnergy.com.

EPB

A non-profit agency of the City of Chattanooga, EPB was established in 1935 and is one of the largest publicly-owned providers of electric power in the country, serving more than 168,000 residents and businesses in a 600 square-mile area.  Today, EPB is both an electric utility and a communications company, providing communications services for homes and businesses using their 100% fiber optic infrastructure.  For more information, visit epb.net.

National Center for Computational Engineering (SimCenter)

Located at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the SimCenter integrates research and education to establish next generation technologies in computational modeling, simulation, and design in support of such areas as defense, sustainable energy, environment, and health. Students in the SimCenter’s M.S. and Ph.D. programs participate in interdisciplinary team research to address a broad range of real world engineering challenges through engineering analysis and scientific and mathematical computation.  For more information, visit UTC.edu/SimCenter.

The Enterprise Center

The Enterprise Center, Inc. promotes high-tech economic development in the Chattanooga community to create jobs and build wealth. Our mission is to lead the City of Chattanooga’s and Hamilton County’s technology-based economic development initiatives thereby promoting the advancement of economic transformation in the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and the Tennessee Valley Corridor.  For more information, visit theenterprisectr.org.

TVA

The Tennessee Valley Authority, a corporation owned by the U.S. government, provides electricity for 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states at prices below the national average. TVA, which receives no taxpayer money and makes no profits, also provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists utilities and state and local governments with economic development.  For more information, visit TVA.gov.

In these STM images of a platinum catalyst, (A) shows the terraced the surface under ultrahigh vacuum, (B) as the surface is covered with carbon monoxide and pressure increases, the terraces widen (C) when coverage is complete and press reaches one torr, the terraces fracture into nanoclusters (D) enlarged view shows triangular shape of the nanoclusters, two of which are marked by red lines. Image courtesy of Berkeley Lab Somorjai and Salmeron, et. al

When it comes to metal catalysts, the platinum standard is, well, platinum! However, at about $2,000 an ounce, platinum is more expensive than gold. The high cost of the raw material presents major challenges for the future wide scale use of platinum in fuel cells. Research at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) suggests that one possible way to meet these challenges is to think small – really small.

A study led by Gabor Somorjai and Miquel Salmeron of Berkeley Lab’s Materials Sciences Division showed that under high pressure, comparable to the pressures at which many industrial technologies operate, nanoparticle clusters of platinum potentially can out-perform the single crystals of platinum now used in fuel cells and catalytic converters.

“We’ve discovered that the presence of carbon monoxide molecules can reversibly alter the catalytic surfaces of platinum single crystals, supposedly the most thermodynamically stable configuration for a platinum catalyst,” said Somorjai, one of the world’s foremost experts on surface chemistry and catalysis. “This indicates that under high-pressure conditions, single crystals of platinum are not as stable as nanoclusters, which actually become more stabilized as carbon monoxide molecules are co-adsorbed together with platinum atoms.”

Gabor Somorjai (left), an authority on catalysis, and Miquel Salmeron, an authority on surface imaging, used a high-pressure Scanning Tunneling Microscope to observe the surface of a platinum catalyst under actual industrial reaction conditions. Image by Roy Kaltschmidt, Berkeley Lab Public Affairs

“Our results also demonstrate that the limitations of traditional surface science techniques can be overcome with the use of techniques that operate under realistic conditions, says Salmeron, a leading authority on surface imaging and developer of the in situ imaging and spectroscopic techniques used in this study. He is also the director of Berkeley Lab’s Materials Sciences Division.

In this study, single crystal platinum surfaces were examined under high-pressure. The surfaces were structured as a series of flat terraces about six atoms wide separated by atomic steps. Such structural feature are common in metal catalysts and are considered to be the active sites where catalytic reactions occur. Single crystals are used as models for these features.

Somorjai and Salmeron coated the platinum surfaces in this study with carbon monoxide gas, a reactant involved in many important industrial catalytic processes, including the Fischer-Tropsch process for making liquid hydrocarbons, the oxidation process in automobile catalytic converters, and the degradation of platinum electrodes in hydrogen fuel cells. As carbon monoxide coverage of the platinum crystal surfaces approached 100-percent, the terraces began to widen – the result of increasing lateral repulsion between the molecules. When the surface pressure reached one torr, the terraces fractured into nanometer-sized clusters. The terraces were re-formed upon removal of the carbon monoxide gas.

“Our observations of the large-scale surface restructuring of stepped platinum highlights the strong connection between coverage of reactant molecules and the atomic structure of the catalyst surface,” says Somorjai. “The ability to observe catalytic surfaces at the atomic and molecular levels under actual reaction conditions is the only way such a phenomenon could be detected.”

Catalysts – substances that speed up the rates of chemical reactions without themselves being chemically changed – are used to initiate virtually every industrial manufacturing process that involves chemistry. Metal catalysts are the workhorses with platinum being one of the best. Industrial catalysts typically operate under pressures ranging from millitorr to atmospheres, and at temperatures ranging from room to hundreds of degrees Celsius. However, surface science experiments have traditionally been performed under high vacuum conditions and low temperatures.

“Such conditions will likely inhibit any surface restructuring process that requires the overcoming of even moderate activation barriers,” Somorjai says.

Says Salmeron, “The unanswered question today is what are the geometry and location of the catalyst atoms when the surfaces are covered with dense layers of molecules, as occurs during a chemical reaction.”

Somorjai and Salmeron have for many years been collaborating on the development of instrumentation and techniques that enable them to do catalysis studies under realistic conditions. They now have at their disposal unique high-pressure scanning tunneling microscopes (STM) and an ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) beamline operating at the Berkeley Lab’s Advanced Light Source, a premier source of synchrotron radiation for scientific research.

“With these two resources, we can image the atomic structure and identify the chemical state of catalyst atoms and adsorbed reactant molecules under industrial-type pressures and temperatures,” Salmeron says.

STM images revealed the formation of nanoclusters on the platinum crystal surfaces, and the AP-XPS spectra revealed a change in carbon monoxide electron binding energies. A subsequent collaboration with Lin-Wang Wang, a theorist in Berkeley Lab’s Computational Sciences Division, explained the change in structure as the result of the relaxation of the strong repulsion between carbon monoxide molecules that arises from their very high density on the surface when in equilibrium with elevated pressures of the gas.

“In the future, the use of these stable platinum nanoclusters as fuel cell catalysts may help to boost performance and reduce costs,” Somorjai says.

The next step for Somorjai and Salmeron and their research team will be to determine whether other adsorbed reactants, such as oxygen or hydrogen, also result in the creation of nanoclusters in platinum. They also want to know if nanoclusters can be induced in other metal catalysts as well, such as palladium, silver, copper, rhodium, iron and cobalt.

“If this nanoclustering is a general phenomenon, it will have major consequences for the type of structures that catalysts must have under high-pressure, high-temperature catalytic reaction conditions,” Somorjai says.

LIVERMORE, CA–UltraCell Corporation, a leading producer of portable fuel cells, today announced the shipment to the U.S. Military of the UltraCell Snorkel fuel cell system with an ultra-rugged two gallon fuel tank. The Snorkel system provides the end user virtually silent and hidden fuel cell operation for long term and unattended covert power.

The new Snorkel system provides a fuel cell enclosure that enables buried and camouflaged operation in a wide range of environments with UltraCell’s XX25 or XX55 fuel cells. The system can be paired with a broad range of fuel containers specific to the desired mission. Up to 25,000Whr (1000hr at 25W and 2500hr at 10W) of fuel can be connected to the enclosure.

All necessary power management is included within the Snorkel system, ensuring long runtime for either steady or varying loads ranging from one watt to 80W peak. The turn-key solution offers rapid fuel change-out capability and two power jacks.

“UltraCell is driven to provide not only the world’s best fuel cells, but also solutions that meet the most demanding requirements of end users,” said UltraCell CEO Keith Scott. “The Snorkel allows users to deploy fuel cells in the remotest of locations, and to provide long run power for stealth applications by being able to bury the power source.”

About UltraCell
UltraCell is a leading producer of fuel cell systems for mobile devices. The company has developed new micro fuel cell technologies and intellectual property in the field of methanol-based fuel cells. Its patented, award-winning portable fuel cell, the XX25™, achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 status, a significant U.S. Army milestone and certification for military use and commercial production. For more information about UltraCell, please visit http://www.ultracellpower.com/.

Lyngby–Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S and Risø DTU have received a grant of 7.3 mill EUR (54.5 mill DKK) from the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program (EUDP). The grant is given with the aim of ensuring that the current efforts within in ceramic fuel cells (SOFC) will be continued, leading to prototypes in 2012 which meet market demands for efficiency, life time and price.

Continued development and demonstration

The project allows Topsoe Fuel Cell and Risø DTU to continue their collaboration within development and demonstration as foreseen in the national strategy for that field. The project is also essential for the development of technological solutions for the Danish Micro Combined Heat and Power project – read more at www.dmkv.dk

Funding for internationally leading competences

The project is an extension of previous projects from the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program, ForskEL and the Advanced Technology Foundation, which have assisted in the formation of a unique competence within ceramic fuel cells.

”With the award of this grant, the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program has met its declared goal of supporting projects, where Danish competences are internationally leading, where the project participants have the necessary strength to expand the technology internationally and where they at the same time set up a credible business plan for capacity expansion and market introduction,” says Helge Holm-Larsen, Director of Business Development, Topsoe Fuel Cell.

Technology meeting energy and climate challenges

The SOFC technology is a very appropriate tool to achieve the Danish political goals for energy and climate, and the long term business potential will be the size of the wind turbine industry. ”Fuel cells are expected to become a key technology in the intelligent and de-centralized power system of the future. With rapid response time and great flexibility, SOFC can utilize many different types of fuel, e.g. natural gas, hydrogen, biogas and bio-ethanol, and regardless of which fuel that will supply adjustable power for the future, SOFC will use it more efficiently,” says project leader Jens Ole Gulløv, and adds: ”This 2-year project will ensure the necessary support to work through the gap between the idea concept and the product.”

A market oriented project

Compared to previous SOFC projects, the new project is characterized by being significantly more market oriented. ”The market orientation is expressed through the proto types which aim for specific product markets, while relevant milestones and objective market demands are ensured via an external hearing panel with the participation of independent energy companies and end users,” says Helge Holm-Larsen. 

Contact

Helge Holm-Larsen, Director of Business Development
Tel. +45 4527 2168, cell +45 2275 4168, e-mail hhl@topsoe.dk

www.topsoefuelcell.dk 

RICHARD BLACKBURN

One of the leaders in hybrid technology believes hydrogen-fuelled vehicles are the best solution to our energy needs.

Electric vehicles will only ever provide a partial solution to the problem of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the car industry, a leading Honda engineer says.

Thomas Brachmann, a senior engineer in advanced technology research for Honda in Europe, says fuel cell vehicles, which generate their own electricity on-board from a chemical reaction with hydrogen, are superior to electric vehicles and will be the “ultimate solution” to the industry’s energy needs.

He says that plug-in electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and range-extender hybrids – where a petrol engine kicks in to recharge an electric motor – are all stop-gap measures, while diesel and petrol vehicles will no longer be offered for sale by 2040.

Washington, DC–The National Hydrogen Association presented Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) with the Spark Matsunaga Memorial Hydrogen Award Thursday in recognition of his long history of leadership in Congress to advance America’s hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The other 2010 recipients are Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“Hydrogen energy technology will help drive America’s energy future and reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Senator Dorgan said. “I’ve long been a supporter of boosting the use of hydrogen energy in our country, and I’ve worked to increase funding for hydrogen research and development. In fact, I helped to create the first-ever national Center for Hydrogen Technology located at the University of North Dakota.”

“For many years Senator Dorgan has been a tireless champion for hydrogen and fuel cells, working to advance the legislation and appropriations necessary to bring these important clean energy technologies significantly closer to commercialization,” said Jeffrey Serfass, President of the National Hydrogen Association. “As the popularity of hydrogen has waxed and waned, Senator Dorgan’s steady support has ensured that the technologies have improved by leaps and bounds. Many rapid R&D achievements recorded by the U.S. Department of Energy and industry are a direct result of Senator Dorgan’s vision, leadership, and commitment.”

Senator Dorgan is a founding Co-Chair of the Senate Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus, and had an integral role in advancing hydrogen and fuel cell provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The National Hydrogen Association, founded in 1989, is a membership organization composed of university, research, and business members. Its mission is to foster the development of hydrogen technologies and their utilization in industrial, commercial, and consumer applications and promote the role of hydrogen in the energy field. http://www.hydrogenassociation.org

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA,– SOLARVEST BIOENERGY INC. (CA:SVS ) (”Solarvest” or the “Company”), wishes to announce that Solarvest (P.E.I.) Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has received funding of $100,000 for one year from the Government of Prince Edward Island. The aim of the funding is to engineer Solarvest’s proprietary hydrogen producing strains of algae to express commercial products from the algal biomass while co-producing hydrogen. The Company will initially focus on one protein for the animal health industry and one enzyme that is presently used in biofuel production. The Company intends to exploit the novel characteristics of Solarvests’ micro-algae in order to decrease the cost of production and expand the marketplace (e.g., veterinary use) for these products. Having the flexibility to produce high value proteins, as well as a carbon neutral sustainable energy source using the same biological production system, will diversify the risk associated with the Company and increase significantly the short-term revenue potentials.

“Solarvest is honoured to be one of 10 businesses across Prince Edward Island that Innovation PEI will invest in through the Discovery and Development Fund,” says Gerri Greenham, CEO of Solarvest, “This funding will allow Solarvest to expand its research and, potentially, could lead to some exciting new discoveries.”

Innovation PEI received 55 applications for the Discovery and Development Fund and has offered funding to the top 10 projects this round. The projects were evaluated by a peer review committee made up of members from various government departments, crown corporations, private business and academia.

About Solarvest: Solarvest is committed to the development of sustainable and renewable energy sources to meet growing energy demands and environmental challenges. Solarvest’s intellectual property is a biologically-based hydrogen producing technology, which provides a method for controlling key genes in algae resulting in the continuous production of hydrogen gas. Solarvest’s bio-energy production system utilizes light and carbon dioxide to produce hydrogen leaving a clean positive environmental footprint.

Polaris-Backed Seed-Stage MIT Spin-Out Now Focused on ARPA-E Development

Cambridge – Sun Catalytix Corporation, an energy storage and renewable fuels company, today announced that Tom Jarvi will join as Chief Technology Officer. Dr. Jarvi is to begin his new role at the Polaris-backed MIT spin-out on July 6.

Dr. Jarvi is currently finishing up as Director, Cell Stack Engineering at UTC Power Corporation, a world leader in fuel cell technology and deployment. In this role, Dr. Jarvi has had product and technology development responsibility for all UTC Power cell stack programs.

Previously, Dr. Jarvi served as UTC Power’s Director of Technology Development. In that capacity he focused on technology portfolio development and execution, including definition of technical program focus areas and associated technical partnerships.

Dr. Jarvi started his industrial career at United Technologies Research Center in 1998, and served in project and technology management roles of increasing responsibility there and at UTC Power, where he has worked since 2003. In these roles, Dr. Jarvi focused on proton exchange membrane and phosphoric acid fuel cell technology development.

Dr. Jarvi received his Ph.D. and B.S. degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Washington and the University of Illinois, respectively. He has published thirteen papers in electrochemistry and fuel cells, and he is co-inventor on ten issued or pending patents.

“I am incredibly excited to join the Sun Catalytix team. The company has great potential to make a significant impact, and has launched with a carefully chosen core team of technical and business professionals,” said Dr. Jarvi.

“We are very fortunate, especially at this early stage, to have attracted an executive and electrochemist of Tom’s caliber to lead our technology and ARPA-E development efforts,” added Bob Metcalfe, a General Partner of Polaris Venture Partners and board member of Sun Catalytix.

Sun Catalytix is a seed-stage start-up spun out of MIT to commercialize recent water-splitting discoveries coming out of the labs of MIT Chemistry Professor Daniel Nocera.

DANBURY, Conn– FuelCell Energy, Inc. (FCEL ) , a leading manufacturer of high efficiency ultra-clean power plants using renewable and other fuels for commercial, industrial, government, and utility customers, announced today its intention to offer, subject to market and other conditions, shares of common stock in an underwritten public offering. The Company also expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15 percent of the shares of common stock offered in the public offering to cover over-allotments, if any. The Company intends to use the proceeds from this offering for product development, project financing, expansion of manufacturing capacity, and general corporate purposes. The offering is expected to price before 9:30 am EDT on Friday, June 25, 2010.

Lazard Capital Markets LLC is acting as the sole book-running manager and Canaccord Genuity Inc. is the co-manager for the offering.

The Company intends to offer and sell these securities pursuant to the Company’s existing shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2007, which was declared effective on February 6, 2007. A prospectus supplement describing the terms of the offering will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and will form a part of the effective registration statement. When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement, the final prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus related to this offering may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov or Lazard Capital Markets LLC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor, New York, NY 10020 or via telephone at (800) 542-0970 or Canaccord Genuity, Attn: Syndicate Department, 99 High Street, 12th Floor, Boston, MA 02110 or via telephone at (800) 225-6201.

•    SFC delivers autonomous power generating systems for Bundeswehr operations abroad
•    Energy solution is based on the successful, multiply decorated portable JENNY fuel cell by SFC which creates a highly efficient energy network in combination with the SFC Power Manager
•    Solution enables longer mission duration and therefore increases soldier’s safety in the field

Brunnthal/Munich, Germany– SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG, technology and market leader for mobile and off-grid power solutions based on fuel cells, has received another order by the German Bundeswehr. SFC delivers autonomous power generating systems for Bundeswehr operations abroad. The energy solution ordered is based on the portable JENNY fuel cell which is successfully sold by SFC to soldiers as mobile off-grid power source for over a year now and is deployed in various international defense missions worldwide. In combination with the SFC Power Manager, an intelligent converter which assures optimal operation of available consumers, it builds a strong energy network for power supply in the field. The order volume is over 220,000 Euro. The delivery of the systems takes place in 2010.

The portable JENNY fuel cell by SFC Smart Fuel Cell is a small, under 2 kg lightweight power generator for soldiers and applications in the field. It can either be worn directly on the body in a belt or operate devices unmanned in the field. Because of its outstanding properties it was multiply and internationally awarded, most recently by the U.S. Department of Defense Wearable Power Prize and the Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award. Its usage in combination with the SFC Power Manager provides soldiers in multi-day missions with weight reduction up to 80 percent compared to conventional energy supply such as batteries. Power generation inside the JENNY fuel cell is silent, non-detectable without harmful fumes. Energy supply is fully automatically and without any user intervention over long periods of time.

The energy solution based on the JENNY fuel cell ordered within this contract can also be deployed undercover as a protection against environmental influences or reconnaissance. A challenge which is mastered by the JENNY fuel cell thanks to its innovative technology which is based on SFC’s year-long experience in developing reliable power supply solutions for demanding applications. „It is not enough to simply perfect a technology. It has to perform exactly according to expectations of the user in the particular application scenario“, says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG. “The superior product features of the system enable longer mission duration at low detectability and thereby increase soldier’s safety in the field. Based on successful fielding, we have a reason to anticipate that this decision can lead into further procurement”.

SPAIN– Metre-gauge operator FEVE is planning to start trials with fuel cell traction between Ribadesella and Llovio on its non-electrified Santander – Oviedo route by the end of this year.

A hydrogen fuel cell is to be installed in a 1970s tramcar to power four traction motors, capable of operating at up to 25 km/h and making 15 return trips of 10 km every day.

The fuel cell is being developed by Cidaut, a research foundation specialising in transport and energy that draws on the academic expertise of the University of Valladolid. It weighs 80 kg, including a 10 kg fuel tank.

‘The best thing is that emissions are zero’, project leader Alberto Montes told El Mundo.FEVE’s Director of International & Institutional Relations José Antonio Sebastián said that the new technology could be used on future light rail networks.

As well as Cartgena – Los Nietos, where tenders have been called for four vehicles (RG 2.10 p16), FEVE plans to convert routes in Asturias, Galicia and Cantabria to tram-train operations.

Microcab Industries Limited of Coventry, UK, and Serenergy A/S of Hobro, Denmark, are pleased to announce an agreement for the supply of 10 Serenus 3kW fuel cell systems for use in Microcab’s next generation of demonstration fuel cell hybrid vehicles.

Serenergy is presently the only European company to have commercialised the High Temperature PEM technology which is used in its fuel cells, and which Microcab considers advantageous for its targeted automotive applications. Compared with the commonly used Low Temperature PEM technology, Serenus fuel cells have a higher internal temperature of 150 C or more, enabling them to operate over a wider range of environmental temperatures, and to use less pure hydrogen fuel. Furthermore, the high temperature exhaust greatly facilitates the use of otherwise wasted thermal energy for heating of the vehicle interior, thus increasing overall system efficiency.

Microcab employs lightweight construction techniques and fuel cell hybrid powertrains with electric drive in versatile and capable vehicles for light transport operations in urban and suburban areas. The hybrid powertrain architecture combines the power capability of a lithium-ion battery with the energy capability of a hydrogen fuel cell to achieve the necessary vehicle performance with ultra-low energy usage and zero emissions.

Microcab and Serenergy intend to work closely together to develop this and future automotive applications. Initially Serenergy will supply a system module comprising the fuel cell, its control system, and power-conditioning circuitry to supply the hybrid battery and electric drive.

Microcab and its associates will initially manufacture 8 vehicles to the new design, which will be supplied to Coventry University for participation in a 12-month trial as part of the Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrator project.

Microcab Industries Limited develops and supplies innovative zero-carbon vehicles for light urban transport. Current development work is enabled by support from the UK Advantage Niche Vehicle R&D Programme, funded by Advantage West Midlands and managed by Cenex.
Contacts: johnj@microcab.co.uk; julia.chance@cenex.co.uk
www.microcab.co.uk www.nichevehiclenetwork.co.uk www.cenex.co.uk

 Serenergy A/S is the world’s leading manufacturer of HTPEM fuel cells in the kW range. Serenergy designs and produces cost-efficient and highly reliable fuel cells for system integrators.
Contact: psk@serenergy.com
www.serenergy.com

 Coventry University, already prominent in automotive design, is developing new activities in the area of low carbon technology within the automotive industry and is a partner in the CABLED consortium.
Contact: ali.bushnell@coventry.ac.uk
www.coventry.ac.uk

 The Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrator (CABLED) consortium, supported by the UK Technology Strategy Board and Advantage West Midlands, and led by global engineering consultancy Arup, is undertaking a 12-month demonstration of 110 ultra low carbon vehicles and associated infrastructure. Microcab, assisted by additional funding through Coventry University from the UK Department of Energy & Climate Change, is providing the only hydrogen fuel cell vehicles within the demonstration fleet. CABLED is the largest of eight regional consortia in the Technology Strategy Board’s £25m UK-wide demonstrator trial of over 340 ultra low carbon vehicles, which is accelerating the development of new technologies and their adoption by consumers.
Contact: stuart.humphreys@grayling.com
http://cabled.org.uk

SELB, Germany and ESCHENBACH, Germany — Today H.C. Starck Ceramics and Kerafol announced their partnership in manufacturing, sales, and distribution of high-temperature SOFCs (solid oxide fuel cells) doped with scandium.

Because the scandium-doped zirconia used in these fuel cells is highly conductive, scandium-doped solid oxide fuel cells have the highest output potential of all electrolyte-supported fuel cells (ESC), and as a result are an essential, key component of innovative fuel cell technology.

H.C. Starck and Kerafol’s alliance creates new potential synergies which complement each other reciprocally, with Kerafol contributing its specialized knowledge of scandium-doped electrolytes and H.C. Starck its expertise in electrode manufacturing to the partnership. The result is the first high-output, scandium-doped cell with its origins in Europe.

In conjunction with the appropriate interconnectors, the new cells make it possible to manufacture SOFC stacks and systems with extraordinary performance and a long service life. Scandium-doped cells are particularly suited for use with interconnectors which contain a high percentage of chromium (CrFe5). The cell, marketed under the product name ESC 10, is available for purchase immediately.

“I am extremely pleased that thanks to H.C. Starck and Kerafol bundling their fuel cell expertise, we were able to develop this new, promising fuel cell product in such a short period of time,” says Dr. Andreas Sieverdingbeck, President of H.C. Starck Ceramics GmbH & Co. KG. “Each company’s range of competencies complements the other perfectly.”

Mr. Franz Koppe, President and Owner of Kerafol – Keramische Folien GmbH says: “The results of our jointly-developed ESC cell were excellent, and as a result we can manufacture cells with significantly improved performance characteristics at market-friendly rates. Together we are strong.”

H.C. Starck has been active in the field of fuel cell technology since 2003. In early 2008, H.C. Starck put two productions lines into operation at its facility in Selb to manufacture solid oxide fuel cells. These lines were especially designed for cells based on anode substrate and electrolyte technology, and have a capacity of approximately 200,000 cells annually.

With its existing state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment which can manufacture products with a width of up to one meter in cleanroom conditions, Kerafol can produce more than one million oxide and non-oxide ceramic goods annually. This means that together, the companies not only have the ability to manufacture cells with improved performance characteristics, but will also be able to manufacture the quantities required to meet the increased demand.

Some background information on solid oxide fuel cells: Fuel cells are considered to be a key technology for the future of electricity generation. In an SOFC, a fuel’s chemical energy is directly converted into electrical energy in an electrochemical reaction. This is why fuel cells are more effective than other conventional means of generating electricity. Fuel cell technology is an environmentally-friendly and highly efficient solution for on-site energy or for combined heat and power. Solid oxide fuel cells have the ability to make direct use of a number of different types of fuel (natural gas, hydrogen, methanol, ethanol, biogas, or carbon monoxide). In order to achieve higher voltages, several cells are joined together in a series into what is known as a stack, and this stack forms one electricity-supplying fuel cell unit.

About H.C. Starck

The H.C. Starck Group is a leading global supplier of refractory metals, technical ceramics, and conductive polymers, and serves growing industries such as the electronics, chemicals, automotive, medical technology, aerospace, energy technology, and environmental technology industries, as well as mechanical engineering and tool manufacturers. H.C. Starck has its own manufacturing facilities located in Europe, America, and Asia, and has close to 3,000 employees worldwide.

About Kerafol

Kerafol – Keramische Folien GmbH develops and produces ceramic tape for a wide range of applications using a special manufacturing process. Ceramic tape is used in a number of different fields, including microelectronics, thermal management, filtration, sensor technology, porcelain tape, and solid oxide fuel cells. Kerafol has played an active role in the field of solid oxide fuel cells, specifically scandium-doped fuel cells, since development of the technology began in the 1990’s.