July 18, 2001

GES Demonstrates 0.5kW Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Stack

Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC,  an electrochemical research and development company, announced today that it has successfully scaled up its liquid feed direct methanol fuel cell (LFDMFC) technology to a LFDMFC stack that provides over 0.5kW while operating on atmospheric pressure air.

 The fuel cell stack is based on GES' proprietary molded graphite bipolar plate technology and uses advanced membrane-electrode assemblies developed by GES. The stack contains 20 cells, with an active area of 400 cm² per cell. During 60°C operation on low-pressure air, the stack provided over 420W. Operation at 67°C resulted in 525W of DC power. Operating conditions were chosen to optimize overall system efficiency. GES plans to expand the stack to increase the power output to greater than 1.2 kW. This stack is part of a complete system being developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory that will provide a net 1kW power output. This 1 kW LFDMFC program is being jointly funded by the California Air Resources Board and the Air Quality Management District. This 1 KW system incorporates many of the inventions and technological advances made by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and GES on various LFDMFC programs funded by DARPA during the last ten years.

To date, GES has concentrated primarily on LFDMFC stacks, providing from 50 up to 150W net power, for portable power applications. Scale up to 0.5kW is a successful demonstration that the LFDMFC technology is viable for applications where higher power levels are required.

Contact Information:

Cecelia C. Cropley (ccropley@ginerinc.com)

Director, Systems Engineering

Phone: (781) 529-0506; Fax: (781) 893-6470