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