Adaptive Materials, Inc.

05/27/2009

Adaptive Materials Achieves 12-hour, 40 Mile UGV Demonstration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – ANN ARBOR, MICH. – MAY 27, 2009 –   Adaptive Materials, the leader in portable power from solid oxide fuel cells, recently completed a 64-kilometer (40 mile), 12-hour test drive of an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV).  Completed at Camp Grayling in Grayling, Mich., this achievement demonstrates that Adaptive Materials’ 150-watt fuel cell system, powered by globally-available propane, enables unprecedented UGV endurance capabilities.

“Demonstrating the duration capabilities of a UGV in a rugged, real-world environment is a critical milestone in aligning the Adaptive Materials fuel cells with the potential of UGVs,” said Michelle Crumm, chief business officer.  “UGVs are limited now by the power provided through batteries; on battery power, UGVs can only travel so far or sit and sense for a limited period of time before the battery needs to be charged or replaced.  By leveraging the proven, reliable power of an Adaptive Materials fuel cell, UGVs can achieve ultra-long duration and long range missions.”

The iRobot Scout, with a hybrid Adaptive Materials fuel cell – battery power system, held a consistent speed of 5 kilometers an hour throughout the demonstration.  In addition to powering the UGV for a record distance, the fuel cell also powered an on-board camera and computer that reported speed, GPS and other critical data.

The Adaptive Materials fuel cell consumed three 8-ounce canisters of store-bought propane during its long duration demonstration.  Throughout the demonstration, the fuel cell delivered 150-watts of power continuously with peak power output as high as 600-watts. 

For comparison, a typical UGV battery pack offers about 40 minutes of continuous power in similar conditions to those demonstrated at Camp Grayling.  Adaptive Materials’ fuel cell delivered 18 times that amount of energy without having to stop and recharge, and for a fraction of the cost.

Although the UGV powered by Adaptive Materials’ fuel cell travelled 64-kilometers at Camp Grayling, the distance covered by the UGV is the same as between:
•    The fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq and Fallujah, Iraq – enabling the UGV to conduct myriad tasks and keep a soldier out of harm’s way
•    Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
•    Kabul and Charikar, Jalez, Sherhabod, or Pol-e'Alam, Afghanistan

Adaptive Materials’ UGV endurance demonstration was completed in partnership with the National Automotive Center (NAC), U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), iRobot and Camp Grayling.

About Adaptive Materials, Inc.
Based in Ann Arbor, Mich., Adaptive Materials, Inc. is the leader in the development of portable power made from solid oxide fuel cell technology.  Leveraging its patented single-step process to manufacture micro-tubular fuel cells, Adaptive Materials is the first company to develop, demonstrate and deliver a portable, affordable, and fuel flexible solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system.  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.

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