Ultracell to Develop Fuel Cell for Military

UltraCell Corporation, a provider of Reformed Methanol Micro Fuel Cell (RMFC) technology, was awarded a contract from the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC) to advance a fuel cell system for the Coalition Warfare Program (CWP). The contract award is valued at $999,000 USD.

Under the contract, UltraCell engineers will leverage a 150-watt (150W) fuel cell system prototype, originally developed for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) as part of the UK's Reducing the Burden on the Dismounted Soldier (RBDS) Capability Vision Program. UltraCell's goal is to mature the new prototype system to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7.

UltraCell's efforts will center on the advanced development of an interoperable, fuel cell power source capable of delivering 150W suitable for a wide variety of military applications. The system will use RMFC technology to convert methanol fuel into electricity, to charge batteries and power even the most energy-hungry electronics devices. The RMFC solution offers a 50% weight savings for long missions and reduced environmental impact when compared to traditional batteries.

UltraCell Corporation, a producer of fuel cells and fuel cell systems, is the first company to commercialize Reformed Methanol Micro Fuel Cell technology to provide clean, renewable energy to power portable electronics. The company develops micro fuel cell technologies and intellectual property. Its XX25™ and XX55™ portable fuel cell systems are designed for military and commercial industrial use.