Standardized Ultraportable Rugged Fuel-Cell Automa

To address the Army’s need for a refillable liquid fuel cartridge for portable fuel cell systems, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop new Standardized Ultraportable Rugged Fuel-cell Automated Carrier Equipment (SURFACE) based on our proven (and patented) ruggedized blind mating connector technology for safe and efficient liquid fuel transfer from a novel, gravity-insensitive storage cartridge. The innovation of our quick connect interface and orientation-independent cartridge can accommodate fuel transfer to a body-worn power cell as well as refilling (in a multiple unit configuration) from a large storage vessel such as a 55 gallon drum. As a result, SURFACE can help the U.S. Army adopt a single fuel policy for dismounted soldiers, thereby simplifying the logistic pipeline for more efficient and rapid troop mobilization. In Phase I, POC plans to fabricate a representative prototype that can be interfaced with a variety of commercially available fuel cell systems, demonstrating safe and effective fuel transfer. In Phase II POC will optimize the SURFACE architecture for reliable mass production and universal compatibility via low-cost adaptor couplings.