Form 9.B Project Summary

Chron:

970312

Proposal

Number:

07.01-0017

Project Title:

High Density Energy Storage System

Based on an Extremely Lightweight

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel

Cell/Electrolyzer Set

Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)

High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft,

especially unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer a

unique combination of capabilities for use as

observation platforms and relay links. They operate

closer to the ground and at lower cost than

satellites, while being capable of staying over a

small area for extended periods and remaining aloft

virtually indefinitely. Staying aloft indefinitely

requires that the aircraft be energetically

self-sufficient, and the most promising way of

achieving this is the use of solar electric power.

Keeping a solar powered aircraft aloft through the

night, requires storing surplus electric power during

the day for use at night. A lightweight proton

exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer to convert

electric power into hydrogen and oxygen in

combination with a lightweight PEM fuel cell to

generate electricity at night offers the means for

achieving this. The performance needed requires

lighter fuel cell and electrolyzer hardware than is

currently available. Equipment meeting these needs

can be economically fabricated through the use of a

combination of lightweight metal and polymer

components. The metal components can be

protected from corrosion using little, if any precious

metal plating, and bonded metallurgically to achieve

the highest possible internal conductivity, while

allowing the greatest reduction in mass.

Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)

The potential commercial applications for HALE

aircraft include meteorology, where they can make

detailed observations to support forecasting and

storm tracking, environmental monitoring, forest

fire detection, tracking and monitoring marine life,

multispectral imaging for locating mineral deposits,

and long range communication relays in sparsely

populated areas. The same lightweight fuel cell and

electrolyzer technology that is required as an

enabling technology for HALE UAVs can also be

used to produce lighter weight and more compact

PEM fuel cells for terrestrial applications, such as

clean portable power units and zero pollution

vehicles.

Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,

Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)

Alan Cisar

Lynntech, Inc.

7610 Eastmark Drive, Suite 105

College Station , TX 77840

Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,

City/State/Zip)

Oliver J. Murphy

Lynntech, Inc.

7610 Eastmark Drive, Suite 105

College Station , TX 77840