SOURCE: UltraCell

June 23, 2008 09:00 ET

UltraCell Receives Additional Funding From U.S. Army CERDEC and DARPA

Company's Next-Generation Micro Fuel Cell System Embraced by U.S. Military; Investment to Drive Design Developments, Field Readiness

LIVERMORE, CA--(Marketwire - June 23, 2008) - UltraCell Corporation, a leading producer of reformed methanol fuel cells (RMFCs) for mobile power applications, today announced that it has received a follow-on contract award jointly funded through the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Army Power Division and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The award will accelerate the further development and field testing of the UltraCell next-generation 25-watt reformed methanol fuel cell, the XX25™.

"This new contract will drive advanced system design and provide units for further military field demonstrations and field testing," said Keith Scott, CEO of UltraCell. "We look forward to continuing to supply the XX25 for both military and non-military applications."

"This award will allow UltraCell to provide a next-generation fuel cell with the necessary design goals to broaden fuel cell usage throughout the U.S. Military," said Beth Ferry, CERDEC Fuel Cell Technology Team Leader.

Providing portable power anywhere, UltraCell's patented RMFC system internally generates fuel cell-ready hydrogen from a highly concentrated methanol solution. Recognized as the first commercial fuel cell system to be authorized by the U.S. Military for power portable devices, the XX25 is designed to run a ruggedized laptop computer for up to eight hours on a single 250cc fuel cell cartridge. The system can also be configured with large fuel tanks for weeks of runtime in stationary applications such as remote video monitoring, surveillance and communications equipment.

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. Its 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, please visit www.ultracellpower.com.