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Fuel Cells
- The next explanation as to how fuel cells works comes from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell.
- In the archetypal example of a hydrogen/oxygen proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), a proton-conducting polymer membrane, (the electrolyte), separates the anode and cathode sides.
- On the anode side, hydrogen diffuses to the anode catalyst, where it dissociates into protons and electrons. The protons are conducted through the membrane to the cathode but the electrons are forced to travel in an external circuit (supplying power) because the membrane is electrically insulating.
- On the cathode catalyst, oxygen molecules react with the electrons (which have travelled through the external circuit) and protons, to form water. In this example, the only waste product is water vapor and/or liquid water.
- The following slides are from a428755.pdf, a presentation by A. Hendrick et al. of the Royal Military Academy of Belgium, presented at ISABE 2003 1185, in Cleveland, in 2003.
- from http://www.protonex.com/downloads/products/Protonex_Pulse_UAV_Spec_Sheet.pdf
“Medis Technologies Limited announced an agreement with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) to develop an 800 watt fuel cell, to electrically power Unmanned Air Vehicles. The contract provides for two phases of activity. The first six month phase involves the Israeli company developing a demonstration system, which would pass functionality tests and which can be demonstrated to be re-designable, to achieve the weight (6 kilograms) goals of the final system. The first phase is funded by IAI, who will pay the company $400,000. Upon the successful completion of the first phase, the second 18 month phase would require IAI to pay the company approx $1,500,000, to complete the development. During the first phase of the contract and dependent on minimum purchase requirements thereafter, IAI will be granted exclusivity, with respect to large fuel cells for unmanned vehicles.”
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?
Feed=BCOM&Date=20061024&ID=6131225 (link no longer exists)
Military 800W Product for UAV ApplicationsMedis is developing an 800W fuel cell prototype for Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) for UAV (unmanned air vehicles) applications. UAVs use powerful electric engines to silently fly the craft over long distances for extended operating time. Our fuel cell technology could help extend mission times in the field. Prototypes producing 400W have already been demonstrated and tested and an 800W system will be demonstrated by the end of 2008.
- from http://www.medistechnologies.com/prod_future.shtml
Driving Range 70-100 Km/h. It is completely pollution free.
The cylindrical shaped fuel cell stack, which powered the HYDROCYCLE™, weighed only 780 grams, delivered 670 watts of power to a hub motor. The hydrogen fuel was contained in a two-liter carbon fiber reinforced pressure vessel located behind the bicycle seat. This provided the cyclist with a driving range of up to 70-100 km (flat surface) at a top speed of 30 km/h. In production, the fuel tank could be integrated into the frame of the bicycle
The NovArs fuel cell design is based on the conventional fuel cell stack with these non-conventional, innovative design differences that make it simpler, lighter, less expensive and more efficient:
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