Adaptive Materials Wins $3 Million Air Force Contract to Manufacture 60W Fuel Cells
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – DECEMBER 28, 2009 – ANN ARBOR, MICH. – Adaptive Materials was recently awarded a $3 million contract to provide 60-watt fuel cell systems to the United States Air Force. Over the next 19 months, Adaptive Materials will develop, evaluate and manufacture 60-watt solid oxide fuel cells, ultimately delivering a significant number of fuel cells for use by the Air Force.
“Over the last 10 years, Adaptive Materials has been a leader in the development and delivery of portable, lightweight, and safe fuel cells to the U.S. military, and we continue to drive the innovation of fuel cell technology,” said chief business officer Michelle Crumm. “Adaptive Materials fuel cells provide the convenience, durability and reliability that is redefining how our military meets the power needs of soldiers in the field. We are confident that procurement of Adaptive Materials’ fuel cells for widespread military use is the next step in our evolution.”
The driving impetus behind Adaptive Materials work with the United States Air Force is to determine the feasibility of fuel cells to power communications, surveillance and other technologies for soldiers in the field. The fuel cells developed by Adaptive Materials will meet power needs that are not currently available through either in-house military procedures or under existing contracts.
Specifically, Adaptive Materials will focus on fuel cell ruggedization, reliability, power density and startup time throughout the development of its 60-watt systems for the United States Air Force. The propane-powered fuel cells delivered to the United States Air Force by Adaptive Materials will be designed with a 72-hour mission in mind.
Adaptive Materials will begin delivery of 60-watt fuel cells to the United States Air Force for testing at the end of 2010.
About Adaptive Materials, Inc.
Based in Ann Arbor, Mich., Adaptive Materials, Inc. is the first company to develop, demonstrate and deliver a portable, affordable, and fuel flexible solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. The company offers 50, 150 and 250-watt fuel cell systems that are powered by globally available and power dense propane, butane and LPG. Adaptive Materials’ fuel cell system provides portable power to the United States Armed Forces as well as industries including leisure, remote monitoring, and medical devices. For more information, visit www.adaptivematerials.com.