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Mobion(TM) Fuel Cell Power Product Receives Safety Certifications

MTI MicroFuel Cells (MTI Micro), the developer of Mobion(TM) cord-free rechargeable portable power technology suitable for handheld electronic devices and a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology Incorporated (Nasdaq: MKTY), has received required safety certifications from Underwriter's Laboratories Inc. (UL) and CSA International (CSA) for its first product. The micro fuel cell product that has received certification, MTI Micro's Mobion(TM) power packs for military and industrial markets, is targeted for shipment by the end of 2004 for use in logistics and warehousing applications (such as RFID tag readers) where shorter run-time and re-charge maintenance of traditional batteries can reduce worker productivity. The Mobion(TM) power packs were manufactured by MTI Micro's manufacturing partner Flextronics, in San Jose, California. MTI Micro has worked closely with Underwriters Laboratories and led the effort for UL's first-ever test requirements documentation for a micro fuel cell product. UL is an independent, not-for-profit product-safety testing and certification organization and has tested products for public safety for more than a century. Since its founding in 1894, UL has earned the reputation as a leader in product-safety testing and certification in North America and throughout the world. Additionally, MTI Micro has been granted CSA's Certificate of Compliance for its Mobion(TM) power […]

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Energy Industry Groups Renew Call for Energy Bill; Industry Skeptical of Success

by Stephanie I. Coehn A handful of energy industry representatives on Wednesday renewed their call for a comprehensive energy bill, pinning their hopes on a strengthened Republican majority in Congress to pass the thwarted legislation over the past four years. At the same time, however, they expressed reservations about their ability to garner enough support for the bill to move it successfully through Congress. "We still get no consideration, no attention from Congress," said Red Cavaney, president of the American Petroleum Industry. Still, he added: "We're going to try again." Energy policy was one of the first issues hammered out by the administration early in its first term, but numerous contentious provisions set off partisan and regional disputes among lawmakers. The energy industry, often charged with having substantial sway in policy circles, said it will be difficult to revive a bill that lawmakers seem to have grown weary of pushing. "We sincerely and genuinely hope there is an urgency [to pass energy legislation]" next year, said Tom Kuhn, president of the Edison Electric Institute. Kuhn's name has circulated as a possible replacement for the top energy post in the administration in the wake of Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham's decision to […]

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Micro Methanol Fuel Cells Get UN Shipping Approval

At a meeting held today in Geneva, Switzerland, the United Nations (UN) Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods voted overwhelmingly to establish model regulations for shipping methanol fuel cartridges for micro fuel cell devices as cargo. The model regulations will be used by countries around the world to establish shipping requirements for methanol cartridges. The new UN shipping name, number and packaging instructions also will assist international air transport authorities in considering regulations to allow passengers to carry and use these cartridges on-board airplanes. A final vote by the full UN Committee formally adopting the proposal is expected early next week. From the United States to Europe and Asia, consumer electronic manufacturers are developing micro fuel cell technologies to power the next generation of laptop computers, cellular phones and other essential modern devices. Using methanol as a hydrogen carrier fuel, micro fuel cells represent a completely new portable power technology that will significantly increase run times for consumer electronic devices. "This action by the world's leading transport safety experts provides the essential framework for moving methanol fuel cartridges around the globe," said Methanol Institute President and CEO John Lynn. "Coupled with strong national and international design and […]

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Sparking Fuel Cell Production

by Ken Silverstein Fuel cell production may be about to accelerate. Two industrial heavyweights are advancing their pilot program to generate electricity from fuel cells that can be cleaner and more efficient than centrally located power plants. The Dow Chemical Co. and General Motors Corp. will integrate earlier fuel cell research and apply it to Dow's Texas operations in Freeport at its chemical and plastics production facility. The effort will now use multiple fuel cells and produce as much as 1 megawatt of electricity. In a potential third stage that would occur in 2007, Dow would pursue large-scale commercialization and make up to 400 fuel cells for use at its own plants that would generate 35 megawatts of power, or enough to power 2 percent of Dow's Texas operations. That's the type of arrangement that the Bush administration hoped would form to help enable the so-called hydrogen economy?something that the president has heavily promoted. With two giants committed to the technology, economies of scale could develop that would improve quality and bring costs down. New applications will eventually emerge to help meet industrial and commercial needs, as well as those of the automotive sector. The benefits to Dow and GM […]

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