Innovative Manufacturing Process to Significantly Increase Power Density and Specific Power of Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells

With the recent events of September 11th, there is an urgent need for continuous surveillance of the US border. High altitude airships (HAAs) will have the ability to loiter above stationary targets at altitudes over 70,000 feet, however, they will require power systems capable of sustaining long term flight while requiring no refueling. Lynntech Inc.'s patented unitized regenerative fuel cell (URFC) technology is ideally suited for high altitude power generation. Further optimization of the size and weight of Lynntech's stacks will result in higher power generation, permitting greater payloads and more extensive surveillance equipment. Lynntech proposes to advance their URFC technology by employing thinner components and lighter weight materials, to increase both the power density (W/L) and specific power density (W/kg). By employing Lynntech's adhesively bonded fuel cell stack technology, total stack weight can be reduced by as much as 33% while the total stack volumes can be reduced by 50%. During Phase I, Lynntech will determine the feasibility of reducing size and weight while not compromising system integrity. The results developed in Phase I will be applied in Phase II to construct the full size URFC needed to power an HAA.