2002 SMALL FUEL CELLS(sm) - 4th Annual International Conference for Portable Power Applications

Type Documentation ISBN 1-59430-063-1 Publication Date April , 2002 Number of Pages 420 List Price $179.00 Availability In Stock

RELATED TITLES 2003 SMALL FUEL CELLS(sm) - 5th Annual Small Fuel Cells for Portable Power Applications

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Overview

In its 4^th year, this internationally recognized conference addresses the most recent challenges faced by developers and manufacturers of portable fuel cells. Small Fuel Cells 2002 examines the rapidly growing demands of the end-users of small-to-miniature scale electronic devices. In addition to the newest scientific, technological and engineering developments that will be discussed, this conference will address the following
emerging issues:

• Small fuel cells: technology "push" vs. consumer "pull"


• Small fuel cells vs. batteries: advanced battery producer views on portable
  fuel cells


• Working fuel cells for portable electronics: prototypes or market ready?


• Cost reduction: how much, in what way and when?


• Technology transfer: time to market?


• Systems integration vs. advanced materials and technology development


• Fuel cells components design, cost and availability

New this year! Special session on Small Biofuel Cells.

Ongoing networking opportunities, poster sessions, and exhibition sessions are planned throughout the conference.

FEATURING:

A Special Pre-Conference Workshop:

This half-day event will explore the market research and investment prospects presented by leading market analysts and industry experts.

Don't miss this important opportunity to get the latest in Small Fuel Cell technology.

REGISTER TODAY!

RELATED LINKS
American Institute of Physics Journal � Applied Physics Letters
Advanced Fuel Cell Technology
Arbin Instruments
Battery Power Products & Technology Magazine
Battery EIN Publishing
Fuel Cell Industry Report
Fuel Cells 2000
Fuel Cell Magazine
National Hydrogen Association
Lynntech,Inc.

Table of Contents

Sunday, April 21, 2002

1:15��� Registration, Poster/Exhibit Setup and Refreshments

2:00��� Workshop Chair Opening Remarks
Dennis Sieminski, Technical Marketing Manager, AER Energy Resources,Inc.

2:10��� Portable Fuel Cell Market Opportunities /
Global Market Projections
Atakan Ozbek, MBA, Vice President of Energy Research, Allied Business Intelligence, Inc.
Portable fuel cells market potential has to be addressed to clearly outline the objectives, and challenges by the companies in this space. It is not just one market, but "markets" in Portable fuel cells. And the technology is also not just limited to DMFCs (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells). Allied Business Intelligence quantifies and analyzes the markets from a global perspective.

2:50��� A Review of Component Costs for Small Fuel
Cells for Portable Applications
Mark Hampden-Smith, PhD, Director & Vice President, Superior MicroPowders
There are a wide variety of issues that need to be addressed prior to broad market adoption of small fuel cell systems for portable applications. One of the critical components in the system architecture is the membrane electrode assembly that converts the fuel and air to electricity. This presentation will focus on the relationship between cost, performance and reliability that is required to enable market acceptance of this technology. The discussion will address the origin of the component and fabrication costs, where these can be minimized in the future, and how this relates to performance and reliability. The competitive landscape will also be addressed.

3:30��� Refreshment Break and Discussion

3:50��� The State of the Capital Markets: Capital
Availability for Power Technology Firms
R. Douglas Moffat, CFA, Deputy Director of Research, SunTrust Robinson-Humphrey Capital Markets, Inc.
With the energy crisis in remission for now, will venture capital investors embrace emerging power technology investment opportunities? Are portable fuel cell business opportunities sufficiently appealing for public market investors? We will explore these and other options available to the energy entrepreneur.

4:30��� Small Fuel Cells - The Path from Vision to
Market Reality
Robert K. Lifton, Chairman and CEO, Medis Technologies Ltd.
Medis Technologies contemplates completing development of a commercially viable fuel cell product - its Power Pack cell phone charger - during 2002. This presentation will case study and discuss the course of development of the Medis fuel cell technology starting with work in former Soviet Union, the transition to development in Israel and status of the technology today. It will focus on the practical issues faced in developing a commercial product and how they are being addressed. It will review the role of external companies for outsourced products and support for the company's fuel cell development.

5:10��� Open Discussion - All speakers available to take
questions.
Facilitator - Dennis Sieminski

5:45 End of Workshop

Monday, April 22, 2002

8:00 Registration, Poster/Exhibit Setup, Coffee and Pastries

8:55 Chairperson's Opening Remarks
Mark Daugherty, PhD, Vice President and General Manager, Enable Fuel Cell - a DCH Technology Company

9:00 KEY NOTE ADDRESS -
Micro-Fuel Cells at the Crossroads
Robert G. Hockaday, President, Energy Related Devices, Inc.; Chief Fuel Cell Scientist, Manhattan Scientifics, Inc.
Choices, so many choices, micro-fuel cells are on the brink of turning into products. There are many options from what is desired, what is feasible and what will be allowed in the marketplace. An array of technical, and market options will fundamentally define micro-fuel cell products. Micro-fuel cells fueled by chemical hydrides and methanol, their performance and cost comparisons, their different fueling system characteristics, and implications for manufacturing, distribution, and products will be presented.

9:30 Development of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells for Consumer Electronics Applications at MTI Microfuel Cells
Shimshon Gottesfeld, PhD, Vice President of R&D and Chief Technology Officer, Micro-Fuel Cell Initiative, Mechanical Technology, Inc.
We describe recent efforts at MTI Microfuel Cells (Albany, NY) devoted to the development of small scale direct methanol fuel cells, targeting commercialization for consumer electronics applications. Merit parameters
defining advantages over Li batteries, including power density and effective energy density, will be reported for systems developed recently at MTI Microfuel Cells. Demonstrations of powering cell phones and conversion
devices by early prototype systems based on DMFCs, will be described.

10:00 DMFC Pack of 3.6V-2000mW and Its Application in Mobile Electronics
Hyuk Chang, PhD, Principal Researcher, Materials & Devices Lab, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Korea
MEA power density of 100 mW/cm² in the ambient condition (Methanol/Air) was achieved. This was adapted to a monopolar cell pack, so that a 3.6V-2000mW DMFC pack has been completed with a miniaturized size (60 x 80 x 10mm including 20cc of methanol storage) and resulted in
a successful mobile phone talking. Liquid diffusion and air breathing electrode with novel catalyst and hybrid membrane enabled the cell pack could generate more than 32mW/cm² in the breathing condition. Technical details on the materials, performance and future strategy will be discussed in the presentation.

10:30 Refreshment Break, Poster/Exhibit Viewing

11:00 MicroFuel Cells for Portable Electronics
Jeanne S. Pavio, Manager, DMFC Technology, Motorola Labs*
An overview of Motorola's Fuel cell Technology effort will be presented including focus and technology thrust for DMFC and reformer based fuel cells in the mW to W range. Motorola's DMFC program is focused on energy sources for portable communications and electronic products. Excellent
performance has been demonstrated in prototypes built using multilayer ceramics technology (MCT). System considerations will be reviewed along with basic technology and performance characteristics. Motorola is pursuing
the development of miniature methanol fuel reformer system, using MCT, to be used as an onboard hydrogen fuel processor for portable PEM fuel cell applications. Preliminarily a feasibility of methanol reforming with over 90% extent of conversion at 230�C with 1.1-1.0 mole ratio of water
to methanol fuel mixture using commercial CuO-ZnO catalyst powder has been demonstrated. Integrating of fuel reformer with a high-T fuel cell will be discussed, and technology performance relevant to Miniature Microperformer program will be presented.
*In collaboration with: J.Hallmark, R.Koripella, Motorola Labs

11:30 Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Systems by Smart Fuel Cell
Manfred Stefener, CEO, Smart Fuel Cell GmbH, Germany
Smart Fuel Cell develops and markets fuel cell system for portable applications. The technology is based on the Direct Methanol Fuel Cell technology. A fully functional prototype for consumer electronics was presented in October 2001 and is being brought now to the market place. Smart Fuel Cell is undergoing field tests with partners for such applications as consumer electronics, traffic, camping and security. This talk will focus on the technology being developed and implemented at Smart Fuel Cell and will
introduce the products and their specifications. Recent results of ongoing field tests will be also presented.

12:00 Performance and Marketing Comparison of Li-Ion vs. DMFC
Kurt R. Kelty, Director, Business Development, Battery Research and Development Center, Panasonic Technologies
Abstract not available at time of print

12:30 Luncheon Sponsored by The Knowledge Foundation
Combine recharging of your "biological power source" with an outstanding networking opportunity during our Speaker Power Luncheon.

1:55 Chairperson's Remarks
Shimshon Gottesfeld, PhD, Vice President of R&D and Chief Technology Officer, Micro-Fuel Cell Initiative, Mechanical Technology, Inc.

2:00 Miniature Biofuel Cells
Adam Heller, PhD, Research Professor, Dept Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin; Co-Founder & Chief Science Advisor, TheraSense Inc.
Laboratory results on a miniature biofuel cell, consisting of a pair of 7�m carbon fibers, intended to power for up to one week an implanted medical sensor-transmitter system, will be described. The ~1�W cell is based on ÒwiredÓ enzyme-catalyzed electrooxidation of glucose and four-electron
electroreduction of O₂. Unlike a battery, the cell does not require a difficult to miniaturize case or seal.

2:30 Micro-Fuel Cell Research and Development at Sandia National Laboratories
Douglas A. Loy, PhD, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, Catalysts and Chemical Technologies Department, Sandia National Laboratories; Adjunct Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of New Mexico
Miniature and micro-scale fuel cells are attractive power supply options for the broad range of microsensors and micromachines (MEM's) devices that are actively being pursued by research programs around the world. Sandia
National Laboratories is currently investigating a number of miniature and micro-fuel cell architectures designed to operate with hydrogen, methanol, and biological fuels. Biological fuels, such as glucose, are attractive for powering prosthetic devices and health monitoring sensors. However, these fuels present some challenges in addition to those associated with fuel cell design, polymer electrolyte membrane function, and electrocatalyst performance, such as the mechanism for fuel harvesting from biological systems, biocompatibilization of the devices, selective membranes and barrier materials, and bio-tolerant electrocatalysts or enzyme-based electrodes. However, many of the lessons learned can be applied to microfuel cell technology in general. This presentation will provide an overview of the some of the research at Sandia and our progress to date.

3:00 Fabrication of Microbiofuel Cells Using Soft Lithography
G. Tayhas R. Palmore, PhD, Associate Professor of Engineering, Biology and Medicine, Brown University
Biocatalysts, in combination with redox mediators, have the potential to circumvent the overpotential for the direct electrooxidation or electroreduction of fuels in a fuel cell. Microfluidic channels, produced via soft lithography,
offer a variety of platforms for studying the performance of bioelectrocatalysis under conditions of laminar flow. The performance of microbiofuel cells that have been operated under a variety of flow patterns, biocatalyst configurations, and electrolyte compositions will be presented.

3:30 Refreshment Break, Poster/Exhibit Viewing

4:00 Powerzyme Fuel Cells: Energy Plus Power
Rose Ritts, PhD, COO, Powerzyme, Inc.
Powerzyme Inc. is a development stage company dedicated to the commercialization of room temperature enzymatic fuel cells for portable power applications. Powerzyme's demonstrated technology base includes innovative fuel formulations, non-PEM membrane electrode assemblies, microfluidics, and control mechanisms to harness the energy density of organic fuels in a clean fuel cell that
provides the direct power required by portable electronic devices.

4:30 The Design & Performance of Electrocatalysts Produced by Spray Based Routes for Fuel Cell and Battery Applications
Mark Hampden-Smith, PhD, Director & Vice President, Superior MicroPowders
The membrane electrode assembly is one of the most important contributors to the cost, performance and reliability of a low temperature fuel cell. There is an intimate relationship between the structure and composition
of the electrocatalyst materials and their performance in an electrode layer. Superior MicroPowders (SMP) has developed a highly reproducible, patented spray-based process for the manufacture of electrocatalyst powders
that allows for control over morphology, microstructure, and composition that is unique and can be applied to a wide variety of compositions. The benefits of the flexibility to design catalyst powders with a range of compositions and microstructures that is challenging by other manufacturing
methods and the influence on MEA performance will be described.

5:00 Progress in Membrane Developments for DMFC Technology
Raj G. Rajendran, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Central R&D, DuPont Fuel Cells, DuPont Company
DuPont's Nafion� is the most widely used membrane in PEM fuel cells. Although it performs well in many DMFC applications, operation could be improved significantly by reducing methanol crossover. As a supplier of high performing membrane electrode assemblies based on Nafion� membrane, DuPont is committed to address methanol crossover and other membrane-related issues. In this presentation the performance of various commercial and developmental Nafion� membranes will be discussed.

5:30 Open Discussion

6:00 End of Day One

Tuesday, April 23, 2002

8:00 Poster/Exhibit Viewing, Coffee and Pastries

8:55 Chairperson's Remarks
Douglas A. Loy, PhD, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, Catalysts and Chemical Technologies Department, Sandia National Laboratories; Adjunct Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of New Mexico

9:00 Portable Fuel Cells Suitable for Powering Remote Analytical Equipment
Mark Daugherty, PhD, Vice President and General Manager, Enable Fuel Cell - a DCH Technology Company
DCH-Enable Fuel Cell is developing portable proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells well suited for powering remote analytical equipment and similar devices. During the last year we have implemented several improvements in the design and packaging of our systems, which have extended the operating range and increased stability. We are also conducting lifetime and environmental testing to verify product performance, determine service intervals and
benchmark product lifetimes.

9:30 MEMS-Based Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Jeffrey D. Morse, PhD, Staff Scientist, Electronics Engineering Technology Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory*
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are being developed as a replacement for batteries in portable electronics. Present applications for sensors and wireless telecommunication require 300 mA for a 3V supply. This work has focused on miniaturization approaches exploiting MEMS techniques to achieve fuel cell support, manifold and stacking requirements for the power source. Initial prototypes utilize a microfluidic package for fuel storage and delivery. While initial testing utilizes a hydrogen fuel source, PEM fuel cells using steam reforming of methanol will also be discussed. The present studies are targeted to optimize the packaging and operating regime of individual cells prior to proceeding with voltage scale up through planar monolithic integration, or direct modular stacking. Present designs are readily scalable to power levels in the 1-20 Watt range using similar approaches. This work was performed under the auspices of the United States Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under contract No. W-7405-Eng-48.
*In collaboration with: A.F.Jankowski, LLNL

10:00 Advances in PEM Stack Manufacturing and Reliability
Paul Osenar, PhD, Chief Technology Officer, Protonex Technology Corporation
The lack of manufacturability and reliability hinder the commercial acceptance of fuel cell systems. Protonex Technology Corporation has improved PEM stack design and manufacturing methodologies to provide low cost stacks.
Our core technology allows the manufacture of stacks with minimal, low-skill labor at exceptional yields. Further advancements provide stacks using fixed seals that do not require compressive loads unlike the industry standard
dynamic seals. Extension of this technology to large (kW) stacks, as well as direct methanol fuel cells, is underway.

10:30 Refreshment Break, Poster/Exhibit Viewing

11:00 Fuel Processor Development for Small Portable Power Supplies
Jamelyn D. Holladay, Research Engineer, Environmental Technology Division, Battelle, Pacific Northwest National Lab*
Battelle is currently developing portable hydrocarbon fuel processors for use with fuel cells to make portable power supplies. Under contract with the US Army, Battelle is developing 15- to 25-We hybrid power supply. In a second program sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency, Battelle and Case Western Reserve University are developing a microscale (0.010- to 0.10-We) power supply. Test results from the devices will be presented.
*In collaboration with: D.Palo, P.Gannon, R.Rozmiarek, R.Dagle, Y.-H.Chin, E.Baker, E.Jones, M.Phelps, J.Hu, Battelle

11:30 Fuel Processor for Generating Pure Hydrogen for Fuel Cells from Sulfur-Containing Fuels
Patricia M. Irving, PhD, President and CEO, InnovaTek, Inc.
The production of hydrogen from processing fuels that are available worldwide will help facilitate the introduction and broad use of fuel cells for power generation. Heavy hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel have been difficult to reform because of their high sulfur
content; however, the ability to use them for hydrogen generation will greatly improve the likelihood that fuel cells will have wider commercial potential and gain entry into the market in the near future. InnovaTek is developing a sulfur tolerant steam reforming system that utilizes a
hydrogen permeable membrane to produce nearly pure hydrogen from sulfur-containing fuels.

12:00 Feeding Small Fuel Cells with Biogas

Aurelio Ascoli, PhD, Professor of Physics, DISMA Dept, University of Milan, Italy
A series of laboratory experiments on feeding PAFC systems with low enthalpy by-product fuels has been carried out aimed at comparing the following fuels: methanol, natural gas, landfill gas, biogas, hydrogen-rich gas mixtures
produced by the direct fermentation, followed by evaluation of industrial applications. Most of the experiments were carried out on an air-cooled, 2.5 kW PAFC stack. More work is now in progress, to examine a possibility to extend these results and evaluations to biogas obtained from the energetically important waste biomasses from citric industry, and to MCFC. Earlier results will be summarized and new possible applications in small fuel cells will be addressed.

12:30 Lunch on Your Own

1:55 Chairperson's Remarks

Mark Hampden-Smith, PhD, Director & Vice President, Superior MicroPowders

2:00 100 Watt PEM Fuel Cells Using Metal Hydride Cards for Portable Electronic Devices

Stephen D. Voller, C Eng, CEO and Founder, Voller Energy, United Kingdom
Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells offer a real alternative to the rechargeable batteries used in hundreds of millions of mobile phones and laptop computers. However, for the technology to become viable the units must be safe to travel with, and provide similar weight and price/performance to the battery equivalents. Voller Energy is working on a 10 Watt and a 100 Watt PEM fuel cell powered by safe and inert, metal hydride cards. This material offers considerable safety advantages to the business traveller over methanol based fuel cells. The advantages of PEM fuel cells are well understood, they can operate at close to room temperature, they use no harmful or hazardous substances and output only tiny amounts of water vapour and hydrogen. The presentation will discuss the engineering challenges in manufacturing a fuel cell that is not only safe to carry around, but is also environmentally friendly.

2:30 Market and Technical Issues in Commercializing Air-Breathing Alkaline Electrolyte Power Sources for Portable Devices
Dennis Sieminski, Technical Marketing Manager, AER Energy Resources, Inc.
Portable products need higher energy density power sources to improve runtime, to provide energy for new features, and to make products smaller and lighter and therefore more attractive to users. However, conventional battery technology has reached a plateau in delivering meaningful gains in energy density; so, new non-conventional energy systems must be explored. Among the candidates are air-breathing alkaline electrolyte electrochemical systems, like zinc-air cells and alkaline fuel cells. Unlike other fuel cells, these systems do not require precious metal catalysts in the air electrode and their power density matches the levels needed by most portable devices. This paper defines solutions to the long-standing technical issues associated with these systems - limited life due to electrolyte carbonation and water vapor transpiration. Examples of specific portable products using these solutions are provided along with market data that illustrates the commercial viability of the applications.

3:00 High Energy Density in a 20 Watt Portable DMFC Power Source
Timothy K. Quakenbush, PhD, Systems Engineer, Portable Power Systems Group, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
The DMFC-20 will be a portable 20W power source based on a direct methanol fuel cell stack. This development effort is supported by DARPA through the Palm Power Program. The primary goal is to have a packaged prototype that delivers 3000 WHr to the user from 1 kg of methanol, at the end of
the 3-year program. The target mass and volume for the DMFC-20 is 1.1 kg (2.4 lb) and 850 cm³ (52 in³).

3:30 Refreshment Break, Poster/Exhibit Viewing

4:00 Status of the Development of Portable DMFC-Stacks at Forschungszentrum Jülich
Jürgen Mergel, Head of DMFC Group, Electrochemical Converter / Low Temperature, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of
Materials and Processes in Energy Systems, Germany
DMFCs using polymer electrolyte membranes are promising candidates for portable power sources and stationary applications because they do not require any fuel processing equipment and can be operated at low temperature.
For commercialization of DMFCs it is necessary to use highly efficient cell component technology. We have developed several DMFC systems in the range from 5W to 500W. In this talk we present the status of our developments
with regard to a stack design, MEA manufacturing and cell testing.

4:30 Monopolar DMFC Fuel Cells for Portable Applications

Alan Cisar, PhD, Electrochemical Energy Conversion & Storage Manager, Lynntech, Inc.
Monopolar fuel cells are the simplest fuel cells possible, with the fewest moving parts. When fueled with methanol, the result is a very simple power supply. Lynntech has developed monopolar fuel cell based power supplies for a variety of applications. DMFC systems will be the primary focus of the talk, but hydrogen-fueled systems, including shape conforming ones, will be described as well.

5:00 Selected Oral Poster Presentations

5:30 General Discussion
��� Facilitator Mark Hampden-Smith, PhD

6:00 Closing Remarks. End of Conference