M-25 Fuel Cell Supplies Lightweight, Reliable Power for U.S. Army
Wilmington, Del., Brunnthal, Germany (Vocus/PRWeb) October 6, 2008-- DuPont and Smart Fuel Cell AG (SFC) today announced that its M-25 portable fuel cell has won the U.S. Department of Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E) $1 million Wearable Power Prize in a competition held in Twentynine Palms, Calif. The lightweight M-25 fuel cell combines DuPont's direct methanol fuel cell technology with SFC's commercially proven fuel cell systems, products, and integration expertise.
"DuPont, in collaboration with SFC, is thrilled to have won the competition, and work with the Department of Defense to address the need for lightweight, long endurance power system for soldiers," said Mark S. Baunchalk, DuPont Fluoroproducts - Fuel Cells business leader. "We greatly appreciate the strong collaboration with SFC and it was an honor to compete with the other teams showcasing our fuel cell technology that represents a major breakthrough in portability, weight reduction and prolonged power output."
The Wearable Power Prize competition focuses on long endurance, lightweight power systems for deployed U.S. soldiers. Qualifications for the competition included a portable power system that provides an average of 20 watts of electrical power for 96 hours, and weighs less than 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds).
The M-25 design was modified to further reduce weight and extend performance. The M-25 standard design, when worn by soldiers in the field for extended missions, is up to 80 percent lighter than conventional power sources, yet capable of powering a wide range of soldier equipment, such as digital communication and navigation equipment. In addition to its light weight, the M-25 delivers quiet and continuous energy, and offers independent standalone functions such as remote area battery charging and power. The M-25 has the capability to revolutionize wearable portable power sources by extending soldier mission times to 72 hours or more.
"We are extremely proud that our partnership with DuPont produced a wearable power system of the future that was able to successfully meet the rigorous requirements of the Department of Defense in this competition," said Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Smart Fuel Cell. "Fuel cells are the portable and off-grid power sources of the future, and SFC provides systems that meet a wide range of defense, industrial and consumer applications."
Protection of U.S. military personnel has long been and remains a top priority for DuPont. In addition to technology from DuPont Fuel Cells, the company provides DuPont™ Kevlar®, an advanced technology that has helped to save lives and reduce injuries of our troops year after year. A key component in military vests, helmets and vehicular armor, Kevlar® offers superior protection against a wide range of threats including bullets, shrapnel and fragmentation. Nomex® is an integral part of military flight suits, Combat Vehicle Crewman coveralls and in the Multi Climate Protection System (MCPS). Also, DuPont™ Tychem® garments provide a high level of permeation resistance against chemical and biological warfare agents.
Smart Fuel Cell AG is a market leader in fuel cell technologies for mobile and off-grid power applications serving the leisure, industrial and defense markets. SFC is the first and only provider of fully commercialized fuel cell products, and has sold more than 9,000 fuel cells into a wide range of consumer and industrial applications.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Kevlar®, Nomex® and Tychem® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.
Contact:
DuPont
Dan Turner
302-774-0081
daniel.a.turner@usa.dupont.com
SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG
Ulrike Schramm
+49 89 673 592 379
ulrike.schramm@sfc.com
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