SOURCE: UltraCell
December 08, 2008 09:00 ET
UltraCell® Unveils Industry's First Ultra Compact Portable Fuel Cell With Integrated Hybrid-Battery Capability
XX55™ Fuel Cell Delivers More Peak Power, Greater Fuel Efficiency, Breaks All Industry Benchmarks Relating to Temperature and Altitude
LIVERMORE, CA--(Marketwire - December 8, 2008) - UltraCell Corporation, a leading
producer of reformed
methanol fuel cells (RMFCs) for mobile power applications, today
announced the availability of its higher-power XX55™ reformed methanol
fuel cell, the industry's first and only ultra-compact, rugged portable
fuel cell equipped with a hybrid battery system. The XX55's breakthrough
technology offers fully optimized battery integration, allowing for
complete functionality using an industry first clip-on and clip-off battery
module system. The technology enables a wide range of off-the-shelf
batteries to be utilized and tailored to the end-user's requirements.
Scaled from the company's award-winning and field-proven XX25 fuel cell system,
the XX55 delivers 55 watts of continuous power and 80 watts peak power,
with a capacity of 250 hours of continuous off-the-grid operation with a
single tank of fuel. Delivering more peak power with greater efficiency,
while breaking all industry records on environmental temperature and
altitude, the XX55 was designed to meet the rugged, off-grid power needs of
military and commercial users. The system is the size of a typical
hardbound book and four times lighter and six times smaller than the
nearest production portable fuel cell system in its power class.
"The UltraCell XX55 is a true revolution in portable power," said Keith
Scott, CEO of UltraCell. "Fuel cells have traditionally provided
outstanding performance for extended runtime operations, while batteries
have continued to provide superior characteristics with high pulse power
capability, instant power availability and highly efficient low load
operation. The XX55 is the first rugged portable fuel cell to provide a
true marriage of these technologies in a seamless package -- allowing the
user to enjoy the individual strengths of both without any sacrifices."
Unmatched Portable Power
The UltraCell XX55 is ideal for a wide variety of higher-power electronic
applications including radio and satellite communication
equipment, remote
or mobile surveillance systems, laptop computers and
battery charging. The XX55 operates fully automatically when needed,
sensing the amount of power required and optimizing energy output for
superior runtime. Its small size makes it inconspicuous, while its long
life means that no servicing trips are needed for highly remote or more
covert surveillance applications, reducing the risk of detection.
UltraCell's fuel cell units provide uninterrupted power for extended
periods at an average 70% weight savings over a typical 72-hour off-grid
mission versus traditional military batteries. In addition, UltraCell's
fuel cell systems are powered by ultraclean, biodegradable methanol,
providing quiet and nearly emissions-free operation, generating only water
and carbon dioxide.
About UltraCell
UltraCell is a leading producer of fuel cell systems for mobile devices.
With an exclusive license with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories for
micro fuel cell technology, the company has developed new technologies and
intellectual property in the field of methanol-based fuel cells. Recognized
as the first commercial fuel cell system to be authorized by the U.S.
Military for portable power devices, UltraCell's patented, award-winning
portable fuel cell, the XX25™, achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
7 status, a significant U.S. Army milestone and certification for military
use and commercial production. For more information about UltraCell, please
visit http://www.ultracellpower.com/.