Fuel Cells for Arms Control Applications

"Element One Energy has developed a novel solution to optimize the benefits and solve the challenges of direct methanol fuel cells. It is proven that a direct methanol fuel cell can be given a potential and used as an electrochemical methanol reformer(EMR). With a direct methanol fuel cell, modified slightly to be a producer of hydrogen, rather than to generate current, cross-over is no longer an issue. Element One Energy's EMR integrated with an optimized PEM stack for power generation results in amethanol based power system with significantly fewer parts, a reduction in weight of 60%, a reduction in volume by 40%, and nearly instant recharging using liquid methanol modules. The global market for portable power systems is primarily fed by batteriesand small internal combustion engine generators (IC Gensets). Small batteries are currently a $6 billion annual market, and the demand for such devices is growing faster than the consumer electronics market itself. The growing power needs of theseconsumer electronics with soon outpace the improvement in small battery technology. Fuel cell technology has been identified as the most likely technological candidate to address this issue. The unique EOE portable power generation system will providecompetitive advantages based on reduced size, greater duration of power provided, and rapid recharging characteristics. In the US, IC Gensets are primarily used for remote power generation, e