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LATHAM, N.Y., Oct. 11, 2002 -- Plug Power Inc. and Albany NanoTech (ANT) announced a joint research and development partnership aimed at integrating nanotechnology and proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technologies for enhanced catalyst performance of fuel cell electrodes.
The projected five year, $5 million program will seek to develop and build the next generation fuel cell catalyst nanostructures to atomically engineer and customize the baseline performance of PEM fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.
The partnership is one of the first in the world to explore the incorporation of nanostructured materials for use in fuel cell applications. Results from this project will help Plug Power decrease system costs while increasing performance and enhancing reliability of the fuel cells.
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen from readily available fuels such as natural gas or propane -- with oxygen in the air -- to produce electric power generation without combustion. Fuel cell technology is a highly efficient, environmentally friendly distributed generation resource.
Nanotechnology innovations are driving the dramatic growth in the computer chip, information technology, biotechnology, medical and energy industries.
The proven ability of nanotechnology to manage the atomic building blocks of fundamental matter in a highly controlled and planned fashion allows the design and fabrication of fuel cell membranes with programmable conversion efficiencies and overall durability.
By combining nanotechnology based PEM innovations with established nanoelectronics high-yield and low-cost manufacturing protocols, the Plug Power - Albany NanoTech partnership aims to demonstrate the feasibility of innovative PEM systems with competitive cost of ownership models.
"The eventual application of nano-structured fuel cell electrode designs will raise the fuel cell industry performance bar to the next plateau," said Dr. John Elter, Plug Power Vice President of Research and Systems Architecture.
"The goal of the project aligns with Plug Power's current mission to continue to reduce costs for our fuel cell systems while increasing performance. Plug Power is extremely excited about the opportunities provided by our partnership with Albany NanoTech."
"We believe that nanotechnology can provide great potential for fuel cell applications," said Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Executive Director of Albany NanoTech and founding Dean of the University at Albany's School of Nanosciences and Nanoengineering.
"We are very excited to be partnering with Plug Power -- a premier fuel cell company -- to deploy nanotechnology innovations into the technologically and commercially critical energy industry. Our partnership is a testimony to the success of the visionary investments of Governor Pataki, Speaker Silver, and Senate Majority Leader Bruno in New York's high tech university infrastructure."
Albany NanoTech is a global, fully-integrated research, development, technology deployment and education resource at the University at Albany-SUNY supporting accelerated high technology commercialization and job creation through leveraged partnerships between business, government and academia.
Albany NanoTech manages a strategic portfolio of focus centers that are collectively increasing the relevance of university research to the more immediate needs of industry and society.
These centers encompass nanoelectronics, micro- and nano-mechanical systems, bioelectronics, telecommunications and wireless communications, optical devices and components, leading edge metrology, and sensor-on-a-chip devices for energy, environment, and defense related applications. All are fields that will figure prominently in the global economy of the 21st century.
Albany NanoTech currently maintains a $125M state-of-the-art infrastructure, including laboratory, prototyping and cleanroom facilities, thereby offering students and faculty the most advanced facilities and equipment available today.
In 2001-2, ANT received more than $500 million in support from IBM, SEMATECH, and New York State in support of the creation of the Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics, which will house the only university-based 300-mm wafer research and development, prototyping and workforce training facility in the world.
Plug Power designs, develops and manufactures on-site electric power generation systems utilizing Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells for stationary applications.
The company's fuel cell systems are expected to be sold globally through a joint venture with General Electric and through DTE Energy Technologies in a four-state territory, which includes Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana.
The company's headquarters are located in Latham, N.Y., with offices in Washington, D.C. and The Netherlands. Plug Power's customer base includes electric and gas utilities, research facilities, the U.S. Department of Defense and telecommunications providers.
The company's systems are currently providing power to homes, office buildings, research facilities, a vehicle refueling station and directly to the electric grid. Systems currently being installed provide both electricity and cogeneration heat for use in heating and hot water applications.
Plug Power recently announced that its 5kW, grid-parallel, natural gas-fueled fuel cell systems have generated more than 1 million kilowatt hours of electricity in the field during 2002.
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