Open Competition 3 - Electronics and Photonics

Hybrid Ultracapacitor/Methanol Fuel Cell Power Paks for Portable Electronics

Sponsor: T/J Technologies, Inc.

• Project Performance Period: 10/1/2001 - 9/30/2004
• Total project (est.): $2,967,542.00
• Requested ATP funds: $1,985,524.00

Battery technology is not keeping pace with the advancing requirements of portable electronics, robotics, military hardware, or even toys. Alternative power sources are no better. Methanol fuel cells, for example, offer superior energy density compared to batteries -- but limited power. Ultracapacitors can deliver much higher power than batteries, but are limited in energy density. But hybrid power packs combining methanol fuel cells with ultracapacitors would offer five times the energy density of rechargeable batteries, superior peak power, and instant recharge capability. In a three-year project, T/J Technologies Inc. will design, assemble, and test a power pack for portable electronics that integrates ultracapacitors with fuel cells and provides the necessary fluid management and control electronics. This approach, which would separate energy storage from power delivery and improve overall performance, is patterned after the company's success in combining ultracapacitors with batteries to increase the runtime of cell phones. T/J will produce the ultracapacitors, which will provide startup power and enable reductions in the size of the fuel cell system, and integrate the components. The design and construction of the miniature methanol/air polymer electrolyte fuel cell array will be subcontracted to the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.), and Advanced Sensor Technologies Inc. (Farmington Hills, Mich.) will develop the microfluidics needed to provide fuel to the fuel cell. The project will focus on defining the load requirements and determining the optimal partitioning of size, energy, and power between the ultracapacitor and fuel cell. Fuel cell efficiency will be improved through use of the ultracapacitor to manage peak power demands. As a final step, the researchers will assemble and test an integrated hybrid power pack mounted to a commercial electronic product. ATP support is needed because the research is at too early a stage to attract venture capital funding. If successfully developed and commercialized, the new technology would enable manufacturers to offer longer runtimes, faster recharge, and more features in cell phones, laptop computers, robotic systems, and other civilian and military products relying on batteries. In addition, U.S. firms could make inroads into markets for rechargeable batteries dominated by foreign competitors.

For project information:

Michael R. Wixom, (734) 213-1637
ultracap@aol.com

ATP Project Manager

Eric Samuelson, (301) 975-6393
eric.samuelson@nist.gov