Giner Electrochemical Systems (GES), a joint venture between Giner and General Motors, has been awarded a contract by the US Army's Communication Electronics Research Development and Engineering Centre (CERDEC) to develop direct methanol fuel cells.

The research and development firm, which specialises in developing proton-exchange membrane (PEM) technologies will receive $830,000 from the CERDEC to develop a 250W "field ruggedized" direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).

DMFCs are expected to operate at slightly higher temperatures than standard fuel cells, and the low temperature conversion of methanol to hydrogen and carbon dioxide requires a larger amount of platinum catalyst than conventional PEM fuel cells.

GES will work with Teledyne Energy Systems to ensure that the portable power devices meet the US Army's standards for dealing with shocks and vibrations, as part of the second phase of the project.

"Our company has developed a wide range of DMFC fuel cells from 20 watts to 1.45 KW, and we have provided prototypes to US Army as feasibility demonstrations, but with this contract we put the technology where it belongs; in the hands of the user," said the president of GES, Anthony Vaccaro.

GES has committed $7 million to the research and development of DMFCs over a 14 year period.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd