Energy Visions Inc. (EVI, Ottawa, ON) announced that Defense R&D Canada (DRDC, Canada) is planning to begin a study of EVI's proprietary direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) technology for evaluation in several military applications. EVI has begun work on demonstration units for both DRDC and the US Department of Defense (DOD) that are scheduled for delivery in two to four months.
Both DRDC and the DOD have identified the need for long-lasting portable power systems. One potential area of interest for initial use is a small portable power unit that can charge the soldiers' battery packs. The strategy is to have the soldiers carry their energy in a dense liquid form and use the small energy converter DMFC system to recharge the batteries as needed.
Wayne Hartford, president of EVI, stated, “We feel that the fuel cell is a very valuable tool that is ready today to perform service in many economically viable ways. We feel the applications that the military is investigating will result in the market seeing fuel cells in a more realistic way and will demonstrate the immediate value of a methanol system.”
"We're happy to be advancing the requirement to provide our Canadian Forces members with more modern technologies," said Ed Andrukaitis of Defense R&D Canada. “We are confident these types of relationships will be a benefit to all and we look forward to continued success in our collaborative efforts."
