Compact, efficient high pressure air blowers for portable power sources

"This proposal is submitted to topic area of interest "Area 1: Auxiliary components for balance-of-plant".Mesoscopic Devices proposes to develop a high-pressure air blower that improves power density and efficiency by as much as 50% over competing approaches. Recent advances in fuel cells demonstrate their potential to be the basis for compact and lightweightperson-portable power sources. However, the balance-of-plant components necessary to complete the power source dominate the size and weight of the system. We propose three innovative air blowers to be evaluated and compared in Phase I. We will developmodels and demonstrate key fabrication steps, as well as perform separate effects tests where necessary to reduce model uncertainty. We will determine the potential size, weight and power draw improvements possible for person-portable power sources foreach blower, and select one for further development in Phase II. The high pressure air blowers developed in this program will significantly reduce the size and weight of portable power sources, enabling their introduction to the field. Portable power sources increase the capability and effectiveness of our soldiers,by supplying the power they need for advanced electronics, including communications and sensors, while reducing the weight of batteries that they must carry. Commercial applications of the compact, efficient air blowers developed in this program includefuel cell systems