High Energy Hydrogen Sources For Fuel Cell Applications

The Navy has a current need for portable power sources providing power outputs from 20 to 250 W for long durations of time in small lightweight packages. Hydrogen air fuel cells are one of the most promising solutions to address this need. One significant issue surrounding the use of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells is the storage of hydrogen. Metallic hydrides and even chemical hydrides, such as NaBH4, have low hydrogen storage capacity, below 4% by weight or 20 g/H2/L. Jadoo Power Systems and Technology Assement & Tranfer propose to develop a novel hydrogen fuel cartridge that will utilize borazane as a hydrogen storage medium, achieving storage densities of greater than 10% or 50 g/H2/L. Once interfaced with Jadoo's fuel cell, a typical power system will be able to meet the needs of a 2 week mission (1680 Whrs) with a weight of only 2.56 kg, while an equivalent system of BA5590 batteries would weigh 10.2 kg. The resulting system will be directly applicable to both military applications and to Jadoo's existing commercial products.