Millennium Cell making unlimited shelf life fuel cell cartridges

Shares of Millennium Cell (NASDAQ: MCEL) are up 4 percent this morning on word that the company has been awarded a contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (“AFRL”) to extend the capabilities and performance of its Hydrogen on Demand® fuel cartridges.

The contract is to enable flexibility for field-hydration of cartridges so that the military can activate the fuel by adding field-quality water on missions. The new dry cartridge design is projected to enable effective energy densities of over 850 Wh/kg for the fuel cell system, five times better than the standard BA-5590 battery in use today. 

The cartridge is to be designed to accommodate even small quantities of water and remain operational.

Previous work by Millennium Cell using field water of varying qualities showed that it was possible to run Hydrogen on Demand® cartridges with little or no filtration in battlefield scenarios.

“This technology shows great promise by offering multiple options for fuel cell field operability while reducing the weight burden for the warfighter in the field,” said an Air Force spokesman.

The prototype fuel cartridge is expected to be complete in early 2008. The cartridge technology will also be available for integration into small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or other military applications where unlimited shelf life, high energy density and flexibility of use are critical.

Millennium Cell is a leader in the development of hydrogen battery technology used to power portable applications. It is engaged in substantial work with the U.S. military. Details here.

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