Governor Tours Peter Paul Electronics

Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell recently toured Peter Paul Electronics Company's plant in New Britain, Connecticut. The governor's office is responsible for numerous training and development programs for Connecticut companies to implement lean manufacturing, including work cells, Kanban and other Kaizen improvements, to ensure a competitive environment. During the event, Peter Paul's President Paul Mangiafico and Vice President Michael Mangiafico presented the governor with an award for her initiatives, which have helped the company stay ahead of its overseas competitors.

The state's department of labor administered training through Central Connecticut State University's Institute of Technology and Business Development, the Aerospace and Defense Initiative and Capital Workforce Partners to institute lean techniques throughout the plant. As a result, a second shift was added and employment increased by 20%. The company is also better poised to take custom orders while reducing inventories.

Established in 1947, Peter Paul Electronics employs worldwide distribution for its broad range of standard and miniature solenoid valves, explosion-proof, high-flow and high-pressure valves; complementary manifolds and stacking bodies in stainless, brass or aluminum; solenoid valve operators for OEM use; and body, housing and coil options for standard and special applications. Most of the company's products are UL and CSA listed.

Ultralife Forms Fuel Cell Development Partnership

Ultralife of Newark, New York, has entered into a technology partnership with Mississippi State University (MSU) to develop fuel cell-battery portable power systems for lightweight, long endurance military missions. System development will be performed under a $1.6 million program awarded by a U.S. defense department agency to MSU, the prime contractor. Ultralife has been awarded $475,000 by MSU to participate as a subcontractor.

The company will oversee the development, testing, approval and manufacturing of prototypes of a new compact military battery to be used with handheld tactical radios, building on its ongoing development work under the Land Warrior System Stryker Interoperable Program. It also will provide engineering support, define system requirements and perform design integration and testing tasks, to ensure successful demonstration of the system, says John Kavazanjian, president and CEO.

Under the technology partnership with MSU, Ultralife is establishing a development and assembly operation in a 14,000 square-foot facility in West Point, Mississippi. The facility is expected to create at least 30 manufacturing jobs and commence operations in the first half of this year.

U.S. Hybrid Receives ISO Certification

U.S. Hybrid Corp. of Torrance, California, has received ISO 9001:2000 certification for quality management systems. The scope of registration is design, prototyping, manufacture and service support of electric and hybrid drive systems and renewable energy.

For several years, U.S. Hybrid has been developing and implementing formal processes and inspection criteria for its production, prototype and service activities. By adopting the requirements within the standard, the company has been able to improve the quality and reliability of its products. It already is a preferred supplier of integrated power conversion components to leading manufacturers of electric and hybrid vehicle and fuel cell power systems.

Motorola RAZR L7 Handset Showcased

At CES 2008, Motorola showcased its Motoslvr mobile phone incorporated with Angstrom Power's hydrogen fuel cell. The methonal fuel cell battery fits into just about any normal handset.

According to Angstrom, the direct methanol fuel cell is much more efficient than Li-ion batteries. The hydrogen-powered mobile phone battery takes under 10 minutes to recharge.

The Moto SLVR L7 handset is powered by Angstrom's hydro-gen-powered EverOn battery.

Jerry Hallmark, a Motorola spokesman, said at the CES show that despite the lack of hydrogen refueling products in the market, the need for "efficient powering solutions" was growing.

The Angstrom battery has been in its trial phase for the last six months. However, this technology could be commercially ready and fully available in 2010

Pacific Fuel Cell Increases Mold-to-Size Work

Pacific Fuel Cell Corp. of Tustin, California, reports that it is experiencing a surge in its mold-to-size programs, working with five customers on six projects that range from 50 watts to multi-kilowatt.

"The mold-to-size step occurs when a customer has a proven design and has achieved significant results," says George Suzuki, chief executive officer and president. "We are working with customers from the research and development stage, low volume machining, and pilot production and now, with our ability to mold to size, we are moving to the production phase of the development."

Pacific Fuel Cell Corp. is a nanotechnology company producing lower cost and higher performance fuel cell components in the portable, stationary and micro fuel cell market. Products include low and high temperature BPPs, compression molding BPPs for high volume customers and pressed plates using a CNC process for low volume customers. It also provides bonding, sealing and testing.

Navy Incorporates P+E Unit into Demo System

Power+Energy (P+E) of Ivyland, Pennsylvania, has delivered its largest hydrogen separation membrane assembly to date to the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Philadelphia. This unit is one of the deliverables under a project funded by the Office of Naval Research. The membrane system is designed to extract fuel cell grade hydrogen from a stream of reformed logistic diesel fuel (JP-8). This unit will be installed by the Navy into a demonstration system, which will convert diesel fuel into high-purity hydrogen to feed a large hydrogen fuel cell.

P+E recently demonstrated the use of its palladium-alloy membrane technology to deliver hydrogen from methanol, ethanol and E85. Under two additional contracts, the company is commercializing membranes that tolerate the high concentrations of sulfur found in military fuels, and systems that recycle waste energy and water.

Hydrogen Power for Iceland's Transport System

In a few weeks, Iceland's commercial vessel, the Elding -- Icelandic for lightning -- will be transformed into the world's first hydrogen-equipped commercial vessel.

Come April, visitors to Europe's northernmost capital will get a taste of that future by taking whale-watching tours aboard the ship, or renting one of the world's first hydrogen-powered hire cars.

"When we have the hydrogen machine, the boat will be completely soundless, which will make the experience of seeing the whales in their natural habitat even more magical," said Vignir Sigursveinsson.

Ceramic Fuel Cells Partners with H.C. Starck

Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd. (CFCL) of Australia has signed agreements with H.C. Starck of Germany to secure a high volume supply of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) components. The companies plan to combine their expertise to secure the supply chain for mass manufacture of high quality cells at commercially viable unit costs.

The companies will cooperate to develop anode-supported cells. CFCL is prepared to license its relevant IP to optimize the performance of the cell. H.C. Starck will improve manufacturing processes and reduce costs.

From mid 2008 until December 2011, H.C. Starck will supply fuel cells at agreed prices to secure long-term costs for CFCL. Further increases in volumes and reductions in unit prices are anticipated in 2009. H.C. Starck has commissioned two manufacturing lines for anode supported cells and electrolyte supported cells, with an annual capacity of 700,000 cells each. The SOFC manufacturing lines are located at its subsidiary, H.C. Starck Ceramics in Selb, Germany. The manufacturing processes are certified to ISO standards 9001 and 14000.

This cooperation is non-exclusive for both parties. CFCL will continue to produce fuel cells at its Melbourne R&D and pilot manufacturing facility and is reviewing opportunities with other suppliers throughout Europe.

D'Couto Becomes Neah Power President and CEO

Dr. Gerard C. (Chris) D'Couto has been appointed as the new president and chief executive officer at Neah Power of Bothell, Washington, effective February 1. D'Couto also will hold a seat on the board and Dr. Daniel Rosen, who served as executive chairman, will serve as director. Paul Abramowitz has been elected as the new chairman of the board of directors.

D'Couto, 41, has served as the company's chief operating officer since September 2007. An industry veteran with a proven track record in technology development, product marketing, sales, and new product introduction, he has previously worked at Formfactor Inc., Novellus Systems, Varian Associates and Intel Corp.

"With the successful completion of our prototype, Neah begins transitioning its focus from development to commercialization," says D'Couto. The prototype, demonstrated in September, runs as a closed-loop system without requiring air as an oxidant. A silicon-based design enables higher power densities with lighter weight, smaller form-factors and lower costs.

Companies Reveal Portable Power Product Plans

Millennium Cell Inc. of Eatontown, New Jersey, and Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies of Singapore have completed a pre-production version of the HydroPak &8482; portable power generator that incorporates a water-activated cartridge system. The HydroPak combines Horizon's fuel cells with Millennium Cell's Hydrogen on Demand¨ storage technology to offer a clean, quiet power generator for use by consumers and professionals for emergency and recreational purposes.

The HydroPak together with each cartridge provides infinite shelf life and enough energy to recharge an average notebook computer 8 to 10 times. Able to run indoors, it is quieter, lighter and smaller than generators.

The HydroPak is designed with a common AC outlet and two USB connectors to charge or operate low power devices such as portable lights, notebook computers and portable televisions for more than 14 continuous hours. The planned retail price for the system is $400 and $20 for the disposable cartridges.

The current design of the unit is being evaluated by Underwriters Laboratories and it is expected that listing will be received by mid-2008. Subsequently, several thousand units will be manufactured by Horizon for sale in the second half of this year.

HydroGen & Samsung Agree to Cooperate

HydroGen Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio, and Samsung Corp. of Seoul, Korea, have entered into a series of strategic cooperation agreements.

Under the master cooperation agreement, the two companies will sell and market multi-megawatt fuel cell power plants using HydroGen's technology into Asia, the Middle East and other regions. HydroGen will sell Samsung its fuel cell power plants for hydrogen-available applications, and will cooperate with Samsung in training, technology development and support, balance of plant procurement and other areas.

Under an exclusive distribution and marketing agreement, Samsung will market, distribute and sell HydroGen's phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) power plants for hydrogen-available market applications in Asia and the Middle East. The agreement runs through 2015.

The parties have entered into a non-binding letter of intent for the sale by HydroGen to Samsung of an initial 5MW hydrogen-based fuel cell power plant, and will negotiate toward a definitive purchase agreement. The companies plan to negotiate a balance of plant technology transfer, licensing, and technical support agreement in which Samsung will obtain rights to deliver to its customers fuel cell power plants using HydroGen's power plant designs and related intellectual property in return for a royalty fee. HydroGen also has the right to license any new balance of plant intellectual property created by Samsung in exchange for a royalty fee.

HydroGen has agreed to produce, within six months, a design for multi-megawatt PAFC power plants operating on natural gas. Upon satisfactory completion of the design, the parties plan to enter into an exclusive distribution and marketing agreement for these plants.

Protonex Awarded U.S. Army Contract

Protonex Technology Corp., provider of fuel cell power systems for portable, remote and mobile applications, will develop a tailored, soldier-borne power manager for the U.S. Army, which will dramatically reduce the soldiers' logistics burden supply, a critical step in minimizing the numbers and different types of power sources a soldier must carry. This work will be completed under a $389,325 contract with the U.S. Army Research Office.

Protonex will rapidly evolve its current man-portable power manager system making it smaller, lighter and easier to configure for a variety of different loads.

"Working with the U.S. Army, we will speed the refinement of our advanced portable power manager product, making it a more universal, invaluable power solution for soldiers," says Greg Cipriano, vice president of marketing and military development for Protonex.

SFC Reports Strong Fuel Cell Sales in 2007

SFC Smart Fuel Cell has increased sales more than 100% over the past 12 months.

The German company, which provides mobile power solutions based on fuel cell technologies, saw sales increase to Euro14.3 million (£10.7 million) in 2007, compared to Euro7 million (£5.24 million) in 2006.

The increase in sales was driven largely by solid uptake of the company's EFOY fuel cell systems, with 29 motor home manufacturers now having adopted the technology.

In addition, the company was also awarded a number of new development contracts with German and U.S. defense organizations for its Power Manager portable power systems.

This year, the company aims to achieve further penetration in the European leisure markets with its fuel cell products as well as reducing the production costs for its technologies.

Fuel Cell Patent Granted to ITM

The U.S. Patent Office has granted fuel cell innovator ITM Power a patent for its key fundamental materials.

Saffron Walden, U.K.-based ITM, which has developed processes and materials to cut the cost of fuel cells and electrolyzers, says the patent covers both its cross-linked hydrophilic ionic materials and novel production process. The AIM-quoted company says it is allowing the U.S. patent process to continue, with the possibility of converting the awards into two patents, one for each item.

Floated at £50 in 2004, ITM shares now trade at £115.